- Ross Stevenson has criticised coverage of the Brownlows
- Radio host would prefer the event to focus on the count
- Says that Seven’s coverage of event is overproduced
Radio star has taken a savage swipe at Channel Seven’s coverage of the Brownlow Medal as he slammed the broadcaster for failing to recognise that football’s night of nights is all about the voting, not irrelevant entertainment.
Seven showcased the glitz and glam of the red carpet in Melbourne on Monday night, with Carlton star Patrick Cripps taking home the illustrious prize with a record 45 votes.
After three years of tight finishes, it is the most emphatic win since the Brisbane Lions’ Lachie Neale won the first of his two Brownlows by 10 votes in the Covid-shortened 2020 season.
3AW Breakfast host Ross Stevenson has taken issue with the coverage of the Brownlow, insisting the event should be more focused on the actual vote counting.
‘I tried to watch the Brownlow last night, but there was so much extraneous stuff,’ he said to co-host Russel Howcroft on Breakfast with Ross and Russ.
‘Wasn’t it so much better when they just counted the votes?!’
Stevenson went on to say that the coverage shouldn’t mention the small list of players who remain in contention to win the award as the vote count progresses, because it ‘ruins’ the event.
‘It destroys the evening,’ he explained.
Ross Stevenson wasn’t impressed with the TV coverage of the Brownlow Medal event (pictured, Channel Seven hosts Dale Thomas and Abbey Holmes)
3AW Breakfast host Ross Stevenson Stevenson (pictured) wants coverage of footy’s highest individual honour to focus on the actual vote counting
‘It goes, “These are the only people who can win it – don’t worry about anything else”… Just count the votes!’
The radio host argued that the whole affair is over-produced.
‘It’s the opposite to entertainment,’ he said.
Stevenson wasn’t the only footy fan annoyed by the coverage on the night, with plenty complaining about the Welcome to Country speech given before the ceremony began.
Fans took to social media to air their frustration with the address, which acknowledges Australia’s Indigenous heritage.
‘F**k me dead. So now the Brownlow medal has a Welcome to Country!! What a f**king joke,’ one fumed.
Many AFL fans aired their frustration with the Welcome to Country speech performed by Uncle Colin Hunter Jr (pictured) on Monday night
Another added: ‘This Aboriginal takeover of all AFL is a f**king joke. Turning off. You and your Aboriginal mates can f**k off.’
A third commented: ‘A Welcome to Country for the Brownlow coverage, are you bloody serious?’
A further wrote: ‘Wonder how many people changed the channel when welcome to country came on?’
