AFL SHIFTS date of the Brownlow Medal ceremony to crown the best player of 2022 to avoid clash with Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
The AFL has officially moved the date of the Brownlow Medal to avoid a potential clash with the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
The code’s biggest night of the year – traditionally staged the Monday before the grand final – was originally scheduled to be at Crown Casino in Melbourne on September 19.
But AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has confirmed the award night will now be held on Sunday, September 18.
The decision was made by league officials out of respect for the late monarch, who died in the early hours of Friday [AEST] aged 96.
The date for the funeral – expected to take place at Westminster Abbey – is yet to be publicly revealed.
The AFL has officially moved the date of the Brownlow Medal to avoid a potential clash with the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (pictured)
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has confirmed the award night will now be held on Sunday, September 18 at Crown Casino in Melbourne
The AFL’s preliminary finals are scheduled for next Friday night (September 16) and Saturday week twilight [September 17], which will now be followed by the coveted Brownlow Medal to round out the weekend.
Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale, Fremantle young gun Andrew Brayshaw and Melbourne Demons midfielder Clayton Oliver are the leading contenders for AFL’s highest individual honour.
On Friday night, as a mark of respect to the Queen, the lights at the MCG were turned off before the Melbourne-Brisbane semi-final as 62,162 fans observed a minute’s silence.
The AFL also played part of God Save The Queen prior to the national anthem.
It also won’t be the first time the code has changed their schedule to accommodate the Royal Family.
When Princess Diana was killed in a Paris car accident in 1997, the AFL rescheduled a qualifying final between Adelaide and West Coast from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon.
Port Adelaide’s Ollie Wines won the Brownlow last year – the 2022 favourites include Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale, Fremantle young gun Andrew Brayshaw and Melbourne Demons midfielder Clayton Oliver
When the Queen’s great grandfather, King Edward VII, died in 1910, the first round of VFL football was abandoned.
McLachlan said he was ‘deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.’
‘We extend our sympathies to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom during this very difficult time,’ he said.
‘Her grit, humility and devotion to the Commonwealth will be remembered by all long after her reign. May she rest in peace.’
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk