AFL players accused of excessive drinking at Brownlow Medal

The AFL's biggest and best stars have been accused of excessive drinking at the Brownlow Medal.

Aussie basketball legend Andrew Gaze has hit out at our favourite footy stars, admitting he felt 'uncomfortable' by their behaviour during the prestigious awards night.

With the curtains coming down on another thrilling AFL season, the players decided to let their hair down at the Brownlow Medal.

Every so often, they were seen downing drinks and celebrating when cameras cut to their tables.

And I mean, who can blame them after a strenuous season stretching over seven months and 22 rounds?

But not everyone was happy with what they were seeing on television – Gaze being one of them.

“I understand that I’m at that demographic now where you can get a little oversensitive to stuff that’s not that significant,” he told SEN’s The Run Home.

“It’s the end of the season, I get it. Players are finished, they’ve worked their tails off for a long period of time, they need to be able to unwind and have a good time.

“I just felt a little, and this is the dad in me, a little uncomfortable with the drinking, like it was some kind of game they were playing – ‘Scull a beer when you get a vote and chuck the black glasses on’.

“What it does is it normalises behaviour that I think is not a good message for kids.

“We’re in school holidays and there’s a lot of kids watching it. Again, in the big scheme of things, I’m sure most of the people there were very well behaved, but it is still a look that is being presented by heroes (to kids).

“You hear Patrick Cripps talking about how he looked up to (Ben Cousins and Chris Judd on Brownlow night).

“To see some of those guys that young kids idolise sculling beers – they’re having a good time and I understand that … I just think if there was a way in which the players could enjoy themselves, and have a little in excess, but in front of the camera – drinking responsibly should be part of what they do.”

Didn't realise the fun police would be in attendance at the Brownlow Medal.

But regardless of what Gaze says, the night - by all accounts - looked like great fun.

Given the fact that Melbourne was the most locked-down city in the world during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was great to see so many people back enjoying themselves on one of the AFL's biggest nights of the year.

Carlton midfielder Patrick Cripps won the top gong, edging out Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale by just one single vote.