- AFL fans confused by TV graphic at Brownlow Medal
Footy fans were left scratching their heads during the Brownlow Medal after a puzzling detail concerning Izak Rankine.
Matt Rowell became the Suns’ second Brownlow winner, after the great Gary Ablett Jnr in 2013, when he upset Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos to collect the AFL’s highest individual honour on Monday night.
Rowell polled a staggering 39 votes, the second most in history, to again deny Daicos, who has been a leading contender for three straight years.
The award is given to the player judged best and fairest throughout the season, with those suspended ineligible to take out the top honour.
Traditionally, players who have been suspended will get a red ‘X’ next to their name when they receive a vote on the night, but no ‘X’ appeared next to Rankine’s name.
Rankine was given a four-match ban for making a homophobic slur to an unnamed Collingwood player during the Adelaide’s three-point win against the Magpies on August 16.
No ‘X’ appeared next to Izak Rankine’s name on Monday night
Rankine was banned for using a homophobic slur against a Collingwood player
Viewers were baffled as to why Rankine had no red ‘X’ next to his name on Monday night.
‘Can someone explain why Izak Rankine doesn’t have an X by his name yet he was suspended by the end of the season?’ posted one X user.
‘So, Izak Rankine doesn’t have an X next to his name. Does that mean he is eligible to win the Brownlow despite being suspended for homophobia?’ said another.
‘Genuinely intrigued as to why Izak Rankine doesn’t have the red X next to his name at the Brownlow,’ posted a third.
The AFL had been looking to slap Rankine with a five-match ban for the offensive comment, but Adelaide had made ‘several compelling medical submissions’ to the league, which ultimately saw AFL chiefs mitigate his sanction to a four-game ban.
The midfielder had subsequently flown out of the country and took part in a warm-weather training camp in Italy.
Earlier in the month, he returned to Adelaide and addressed members of the media at Adelaide Airport, where he explained that the trip helped him reflect on the matter and that he would now work to win back the trust of the footy club and team-mates.
‘I am in no way a victim but going away has given me space to reflect and educate myself to understand the weight of my mistake,’ he said.
Rankine is the sixth AFL player in 16 months to be handed a ban for making a homophobic slur
‘In the next few days I will be standing in front of my teammates and the AFLW and apologising to them personally, as they deserve this at the very least.
‘From here all I can do is put my head down, work hard, support my teammates in the best way I can and show through my actions that I am growing and learning from my mistake.
‘More than anything I want this club to succeed so I will be doing everything I can to earn everyone’s trust back and have a positive impact on society and my supporters. Thank you.’
