AFL larrikin torches player's Brownlow outfit in Twitter rampage

Brisbane's Lachie Neale and Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield both were mocked by former Collingwood star Dane Swan on Sunday night.
Brisbane's Lachie Neale was the clear Brownlow Medal winner this year, but that didn't stop former player Dane Swan hopping online and taking potshots at him, Patrick Dangerfield and basically everyone else attending the virtual ceremony. Pictures: Getty Images

Former AFL star Dane Swan has gone on an all-time rampage on Twitter, mercilessly mocking almost everyone and everything about the Brownlow Medal on Sunday night.

The league’s most glamorous night had a distinctly different feel to previous years, as it was held virtually across multiple venues around the country due to the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

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While restrictions remain in place for various parts of the country, there were no such limits on Swan’s tweets, after the ex-Collingwood star and Brownlow medallist once again took over Sportsbet’s account to offer more of his left-field commentary on proceedings.

Players, clubs and even commentators copped it from the 2011 Brownlow winner, with Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield’s outfit roasted by Swan as players were allowed to ditch the usual black tie mandate.

Dangerfield went for a cream coloured three-piece suit with an open-neck shirt - prompting Swan to wonder if he was going to the Brownlow or the cricket.

“Danger is either going to field 80 overs at square leg or he’s about to tame a few lions at the circus. What the hell is that outfit,” Swan wrote.

Other players weren’t spared mockery over their looks, with Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver copping it worst of all.

“Clayton Oliver with a mask on is the best he’s ever looked at a Brownlow,” Swan tweeted.

The rest of the Demons didn’t escape attention either - with the ex-Magpie cheekily suggesting they might not have wanted to rock up after once again missing the finals.

“They’re trying to hide it, but if you look closely at the Melbourne lads, you’ll see they’re actually chained to their tables,” Swan wrote.

Lachie Neale tops vote in virtual Brownlow Medal

Brisbane star Lachie Neale polled 31 votes from 17 games to win the Brownlow medal, rising to greatness after being warned he risked becoming a "fat little forward pocket" on the AFL scrapheap.

Neale was voted best on ground in a remarkable 10 matches during 2020, fashioning an unassailable lead in Sunday's Brownlow count after 16 rounds of the 18-round season.

The gun midfielder, who had been backed into $1.25 favouritism, easily finished ahead of Travis Boak (21 votes) with Christian Petracca and Jack Steele (both 20 votes) equal third in a ceremonial night that was as predictable as it was peculiar.

Lachie Neale is pictured with his wife Julie after winning the 2020 Brownlow Medal.
Lachie Neale poses with his wife Julie after winning the 2020 Brownlow Medal. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

AFL's night of nights was staged across venues in Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney because of COVID-19.

It meant 2019 Brownlow winner and Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe wasn't able to give his former teammate a "big hug and put the medal around" his neck in Brisbane.

Fyfe instead gave a short speech via video link before Neale presented himself with the medal, emotionally thanking his wife for moving with him to Brisbane in 2018.

The South Australian is the latest player to embarrass recruiters across the country, having struggled to impress clubs during his junior career before the Dockers drafted him with pick No.58 in 2011.

With AAP

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