The AFL dominated the ratings yesterday night, drawing 2,898,000 viewers nationwide to Network Seven’s Brownlow Medal ceremony.
With an incredible total of 45 votes, Carlton Football Club skipper Patrick Cripps created history by winning the 2024 Brownlow Medal twice. With this accomplishment, he becomes the 17th player in VFL/AFL history to win the coveted accolade more than once; he won it in 2022.
Cripps took the lead in the medal race from round six onward, and he finished with an incredible 45 votes, more than Collingwood’s star player Nick Daicos, who received 38 votes. Daicos’s outstanding performance also shattered the previous record of 36 votes, which was shared by Ollie Wines (2021) of Port Adelaide and Dustin Martin (2017) of Richmond.
After round 21, Cripps’ victory was officially declared, as he secured three votes in a pivotal encounter with Collingwood, guaranteeing that no candidate could equal his total. With two rounds left, Cripps was formally proclaimed the winner when Daicos garnered two votes in round 22.
That was a historic night, as Carlton’s inspirational leader broke through the 40-vote barrier and established a new record for the most votes cast in a single season.
During the ceremony, Cripps accepted his medal from his coach and 2006 Brownlow winner Michael Voss. He reflected on his upbringing in Northampton, Western Australia, where he idolised West Coast legends Ben Cousins and Chris Judd, dreaming of one day joining them as a Brownlow Medallist. “They inspired me to chase my dream, and now I’m in a position to inspire other young kids, and I don’t take that lightly,” Cripps said.
“I’m just someone who wants to chase my dreams, and I love doing it. Knowing the impact I’ve had on young kids coming through is pretty special. To all kids out there, or anyone in general, if you pursue your dreams and work hard at it, you can achieve amazing things. Life is short, so get after it,” he said.
Cripps also acknowledged the unwavering support of his wife, Monique, as the couple celebrated the arrival of their daughter, Koda, earlier this year. Settled and happy in his 11th season, he credited his parents, Brad and Cath, for instilling strong values that have guided him since being drafted with pick No. 13 in the 2013 National Draft.
The Block came in second (barring the Seven and Nine News) with a total TV national reach of 1,896,000 for the Nine network as tensions escalated between Ricky and Haydn and their neighbours Courtney and Grant, fueled by a rivalry over real estate agents and a brewing scandal involving unpaid bills.
The competition intensified when Block boss Julien Cress visited to explain that only one team could use Ray White to sell their houses, likening the situation to “a jockey trying to ride down the straight at Melbourne Cup on two horses”. Faced with this ultimatum, Ricky demanded that agent Aaron Hill choose between them or Courtney and Grant, leading to a compromise where Hill would work with Ricky and Haydn, while auctioneer Tom Panos partnered with Courtney and Grant.
The arrangement left Courtney feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, resulting in an emotional breakdown after being called out for their previous actions, including dobbing on their neighbours. “I’m done with today. I am mentally drained,” she lamented behind a closed door.
“There are two different ways to tackle something when you get in trouble… I personally wouldn’t go about it that way, but that’s just Grumps for you,” Haydn said.
The situation further worsened when Ricky learned that Courtney and Grant had not paid their glass supplier, a recurring issue that has plagued the couple throughout the competition. “Being a plumber, I know what it’s like to not get paid… and it’s not a good feeling,” Ricky commented.
Meanwhile, Ricky and Haydn, despite their recent setbacks in the competition, maintained a sense of humor, with Ricky joking about spending the day “cowering in the corner and hating on everyone” while Haydn added they would “drink our sorrows away tonight”.
GE TMORE NEWS HERE
Leave a Reply