Channel Seven presenter and AFL grand final master of ceremonies Basil Zempilas has once again copped the ire of footy fans around the country.
In Perth’s first grand final, it was Zempilas, the city’s Lord Mayor, who had the honours of conducting the post-match ceremony, only to make a shocking series of mistakes.
After Melbourne secured a 74-point win over the Western Bulldogs to end a 57-year premiership drought, Zempilas broke tradition by announcing Christian Petracca’s Norm Smith Medal win himself – rather than allowing presenter and 2006 winner Andrew Embley to do the honours.
Onlookers swiftly took to social media to express their disappointment, including former AFL great Brendan Fevola.
But an even more extraordinary blunder was soon to follow. Shortly after, Zempilas invited Demons coach Simon Goodwin to the stage to be awarded the Jock McHale Medal by John Worsfold.
It is grand final tradition that the premiership coach delivers the final speech of the day (or in this case, night) and has featured memorable moments such as Paul Roos’ famous ‘Here it is!’ cry after leading Sydney to their own drought-breaking premiership in 2005; or Dogs coach Luke Beveridge presenting the McHale medal to injured captain Bob Murphy back in 2016.
However, Zempilas, having seemingly forgotten about the custom, returned to the mic as soon as the medal was placed around Goodwin’s neck, inviting Demons great Garry Lyon to the stage to present the premiership cup.
“Basil cooked that,” Fevola claimed on Twitter – and the footy world was in accord about that.
Zempilas had already caused outrage in the lead-up to the grand final, with his suggestion that Optus Stadium attendees could give a minute’s applause at 20:21 (AWST) as a tribute to Australians in lockdown in NSW and Victoria roundly pilloried.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Hey....name change! :silly:
Micko
Roar Rookie
Basil was too busy concocting silly "clap at x minutes in the game" nonsense to do his job properly! :sick:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
No, SA invented it. The Irish East will do whatever they want, it doesn’t change the facts: https://www.afc.com.au/news/709612/the-great-checkside-debate
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
SA has never had female premier. I think the only one of the 6 states / 2 territories to yet vote one in. ----- The things that makes SA good is the things it doesn't have ----- And it's done well with the no mining riches, yet realised, and the lack of rainfall. It is by far the driest area of the country
Bythway Nigel
Guest
Obviously likes the sound of his own voice, it was obvious he was always going to try and be the center of attention from the minute optus was chosen, refuses to step back from the limelight at any point.
Phil Bell
Guest
Bloody Boofhead Basil the Buffoon - his stupidity and incompetence have always been an embarrassment. Hang your heads in shame Channel 7 and the precious few City of Perth folks who voted for this idiot
Jez
Guest
Ummm... sorry Rowdy but it's a banana kick. Always has been, always will be.
Mooty
Roar Rookie
I remember Tilbrook was a much maligned person when he played for Melbourne due to the rumoured contract he was on, hence the name Diamond Jim. But the Jim Tilbrook having a beer and chat in those change rooms that night was as basic as they come, great bloke
Milo
Roar Rookie
Zempilas just loves the sound of his own voice and being in the spotlight. Simple as that.
Willie
Roar Rookie
The fortunes of various states ebb and flow over time. I can remember when Queensland was definitely behind all the other states. SA's prosperity declined with the advent of global manufacturing. WAs grew with massive iron ore projects as well as the North West Shelf Gas projects (largely funded federally). Fortunes can change. As nuclear becomes more important the massive uranium reserves in SA will become a boon for them.
Willie
Roar Rookie
And we would all yell out "Kick a goal Noel"
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Great story.
Mooty
Roar Rookie
I was playing rank suburban amateurs in Melbourne in the mid 70s, I can’t remember the other team we were playing but they had this giant of a bloke just standing in the goal square taking marks and kicking goals. I know he kicked a lot that day because they flogged us and we were on top of the ladder. We all mixed after the game and what do you know, it was Diamond Jim having a kick and a beer with his mates, and boy did he enjoy a beer. Don’t know what happened to him after that, we Played the same team in finals but no Jim.
donnietaco
Adelaide is much more irrelevant than Perth from a business and economic sense in the eyes of the other states. Adelaide's population barely grows, it doesn't have any tall buildings and the trains aren't even all electrified ffs. The beaches aren't as nice and the sea temp is colder. Gets those shitty Melbourne style winter days and I couldn't even tell you the name of the SA premier, you never hear about him/her.
Haydos
Guest
Yeah I'm pretty sure Australia has heard of John Butler, Eskimo Joe and Birds of Tokyo. I wanted Empire of the Sun, Tame Impala and Troy Sivan. More WA acts Australia has heard of. You really are a sour thing aren't you! ????
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Some irony in your comment there with your name. But it says something doesn't it when the gimmicky fireworks takes precedence over the coach's victory speech on grand final day.
RT
Roar Rookie
You do realise that the chip on the shoulder comment was not directed at you, I hope. By the way, regarding your comment about knowing a lot of people who still support Vic teams. About 15 years ago, (so probably not as high now) I read 30% of Western Australians barracked for a Vic team, but only 10% of South Australians. I wonder if that is because of opposition to the privately run West Coast when they came in, or that WA's are a little less parachocial (or loyal) than those from SA.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
It was like watching a regatta :laughing:
IDeals22
Roar Rookie
Always looking on the bright side Mooty? What comes out of a person shows what's in them.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Enough of this. What about Gawn's "goal"? It looked in, including with the fan footage.