- Premiership-winner was deported from Bangkok
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has taken a playful swipe at footy legend Jonathan Brown following his infamous ‘Bangkok bender’ in 2005.
Speaking at the Carbine Club grand final lunch at Crown in Melbourne on Tuesday, Dillon lauded the Brisbane Lions great for previously running a marathon in the US – before referencing Brown’s brush with military police in Thailand.
‘You have accumulated a lot of life experiences, (including) the New York marathon a few years back. Any advice for anyone getting deported from Bangkok?’ Dillon cheekily asked.
While Brown can now laugh about the saga, he was terrified at the time.
The three-time premiership winner was escorted off a plane in Bangkok after some end-of-season celebrations got out of hand.
‘I did get arrested back in ’05,’ Brown, who now works for Fox Footy, previously told Nova FM.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has taken a playful swipe at footy legend Jonathan Brown following his infamous ‘Bangkok bender’ in 2005
Speaking at the Carbine Club grand final lunch at Crown in Melbourne on Tuesday, Dillon referenced Brown’s brush with military police in Thailand back in 2005 (Brown is pictured with wife Kylie)
‘We got a little bit loose, got escorted from the plane and (got) sent straight home.
‘Got a free flight home, actually.’
Brown added he had no idea the 15 men in uniform were gunning for him when they boarded the plane.
‘There was about 15 military police and I thought, ‘Geez, some poor bugger’s carried a heap of drugs on the plane, have they?’
‘I was the first bloke who got tapped on the shoulder and got dragged off the plane.
‘I thought we were well behaved, but when the plane gives you a round of applause on the way off.’
Almost 20 years to the day, Brown was travelling to Thailand with then-Lions vice-captain Justin Leppitsch, assistant coach Craig Lambert, midfielder Tim Notting, St Kilda forward Fraser Gehrig and former Lion Steven Lawrence.
The footy identities were all refused entry at Bangkok Airport – but Lions skipper Michael Voss and current Collingwood coach Craig McRae were permitted to enter the country.
The footballers – who were reportedly intoxicated – were not deported and were able to return to Thailand after 24 hours.
Clearly loving the on-stage banter at Crown this week, Dillon wasn’t finished yet.
He went on to ask Brown about his numerous reported ‘cashies’ (cash jobs) where he ‘has to avoid the tax man.’
Brown stated he won’t have to chase cashies as his focus is Brisbane playing in Saturday’s grand final at the MCG against Geelong.
