Eddie McGuire couldn’t believe Jeremy Howe did not take home Mark of the Year honours at Monday night’s Brownlow Medal count, labelling the result “embarrassing” and saying it “left a stain” on the night.
Howe’s skipper, Scott Pendlebury, was a bit more passive in his aggression on Twitter, claiming Howe’s elevated chest mark was the best he has ever seen or been near.
The problem is, there is only one group of people that this criticism can be accurately directed at, and it is not anyone in a position of authority at AFL House.
The top three marks of the year were separated by a fan vote, and if McGuire wants to argue with the fans, then he should ask the Collingwood faithful why they couldn’t get Howe over the line.
After all, they are the biggest supporter base in the country, so they can’t use sheer weight of numbers as an excuse.
Especially considering North Melbourne’s Majak Daw found a way to attract enough votes to beat Joe Daniher’s similar effort last year, and his club has around half the amount of supporters as the Collingwood juggernaut.
[latest_videos_strip category=”afl” name=”AFL”]
McGuire reckons it is a joke that mark and goal of the year have been turned into a popularity contest, but the AFL (and I’m sure Eddie himself) say time and time again that the fans are the true custodians of our great game, and they get their say on all the major issues.
Progressive leagues like the NBA and NFL have been using fan votes to decide all-star line-ups and the like for years.
Maybe the Pies’ marketing department has something to answer for, considering they were unable to run a campaign that could convince their plethora of supporters to get out their devices and press a couple of buttons.
It is also a testament to the Essendon fans, who turned out so valiantly all year, despite having every reason to turn their back on a club that has put so many feet wrong in recent years.
They punched above their weight again, rallying behind their two-metre man, who was almost considered less likely to take out MOTY than Patrick Dangerfield was to take out the Brownlow.
Maybe Howe suffered because there were two Collingwood players nominated and their fans couldn’t split them, despite one having double the degree of difficulty?
But instead of going on a tirade directed at no one in particular, maybe red-faced Eddie should look into his own backyard and ask ‘the best supporters in the land’ how they could let the Bombers beat them for a third time in 2017?
Leonard
Guest
Good point about "being able to land on his feet", rather than, say, (i) on his head (ii)shoulder (iii) wrist / forearm (iv) back or (v) the outside edge of either foot, because, possibly: (i) = concussion > benched for the game; (ii) = dislocated shoulder or broken collarbone; (iii) = broken wrist or forearm, or dislocated elbow; (iv) = winded at least, or worse damage to ribcage; and (v) = twisted ankle or torn ligaments, at least. The ungainly-looking Tassie bloke who's got the League's highest per game goal average hardly ever lost his balance. A number of today's good players are similar, but can't think of any at the moment.
Chris
Guest
Let's focus on Saturday and leave the media moguls aside. They don't know what they're talking about. Tiger if Dusty has a blinder you'll be drinking yourself silly but otherwise you'll be drowning yourself in the amber fluid....We will be back in 2018 and get ready for good old fashioned Collingwood Richmond encounters next year.
truetigerfan
Guest
No they don't!
sheek
Roar Guru
The problem with fan votes is what we got here. Whichever group is motivated will get their guy over the line.Not necessarily the right decision but a skewered partisan decision. These decisions should be made by a panel of respected ex-players &/or journos.
Peter the Scribe
Guest
Except that every journalist, current and ex players agree with Eddie.
Scott
Guest
Hahahaha
Leonard
Guest
It's very tempting to reckon that Eddie McEnvious got this (supposed) blowup into the media because the Tigers have pushed the Pies from the Melbourne dailies' headlines and its TV nightly news lead stories.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
As you are here commenting, I think you've answered your own question...;)
Patty
Guest
Good point Denam.. where exactly was the magpie army, why weren't they supporting their own? I'd say most have become quite disengaged and weary after 6 years of treading water aimlessly. Sick and tired of the spin coming from the clubs leaders. Tired of uninspiring performances both on and off the field. Fed up with incompetent management and jobs for the boys. The club has made a mess of too many of the core competencies of running a successful club - list management, recruitment, player development and retention, game day strategy, team selection, coaching and admin staff selection. Little wonder the pies are suck in mid-table mediocrity with no prospect for change. Sorry.. got carried away, end rant. Fix this and the supporters will be back.
truetigerfan
Guest
Brayden, there were probably 100 marks worthy of being in the final 3 . . . probably a dozen of Howe's! When it comes down to it there is no truly objective way to differentiate between them. For me, Grundy's was my preferred option but I'm not getting my knickers in a twist over it. And to say I'm the only person who believes Daniher's mark was the best is just plain ludicrous . . . how votes did it receive? Don't be so high and mighty . . read JamesH comment below for some common sense and clarity!
Chris
Guest
As a true Collingwood supporter, I couldn't give two hoots about mark or goal of the year. What matters is winning games and finals. Moreover, a premiership or two wouldn't go amiss either.
Kane
Guest
Didn't hear Eddie carrying on in 2011 when Krakouer won over Walker when Walker's was clearly the better mark. He's turning into a bit of a sook is old Ed.
Casper
Guest
I was talking about the footy panel shows before Brownlow mark. Daniher is probably a victim of being able to land on his feet after taking a hanger. If the player comes tumbling down then it probably looks more spectacular.
Brayden Rise
Roar Pro
True Tiger Fan are you genuinely the only person who believes Daniher's mark was better?
Casper
Guest
I guess St.Kilda supporters don't remember, let alone care about the 1997 Grand Final then.
Mattician6x6
Guest
Best typo ever my man.
Scott
Guest
Casper I reckon that's just the media trying to soften the embarrassment. For all us Nuetrals there is no way Daniher was even close to Howes. Much respect to Daniher for being able to take such a good grab, but that will go down as one of the least impressive Marks of the year ever. Check them all out on YouTube and most will agree. It's a bit embarrassing for 2017 really because Howes was up there as one of the best marks of the year.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
They showed Brownie's "mark" on the Brownlow.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Yes Brayden the Brownlow crowd were a little bit surprised. It was funny on "social media" a lot of people were claiming that Joe's was the better one because he took it over his head. Personally I'll take the leap over whether the player has taken it over head or on the chest. When you get high just take it anyway you can. Interestingly a lot of players miss straight forward chest marks as it's so drummed into them to take the ball out the front. They often fluff it at shoulder height in the clear when the get caught between putting the hands out and letting it come for a safe chest mark. Joe's a fine footballer and it was a great mark but I think general consensus would give it to Howe. Anyway it's the most spectacular part of the game so it should be given due consideration I think.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Except it's not a prestigious award. It's a bit of fun and publicity for the game. Fans voting on their favourite goal and mark is fine. Also, all the calls about Howe's mark being clearly better belie the fact that a number of so-called experts in the media (and I'm not talking about Robbo) thought Daniher's mark was more impressive because he took the ball at the highest point. I actually thought Howe's mark was slightly better, but not enough to think that this is some kind of injustice.