Angry Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca lets fly with a foul-mouthed outburst at AFL boss Gillon McLachlan for pronouncing his name incorrectly at the Brownlow – here’s how you say it properly
- Departing AFL CEO repeatedly pronounced star’s surname at ceremony
- Petracca reacted by saying ‘for f***’s sake’ as he listened to the count
- Some fans were confused about the correct pronunciation after voting finished
Melbourne star Christian Petracca lashed out angrily at Gillon McLachlan during the Brownlow Medal, swearing at the AFL CEO as he repeatedly pronounced his surname incorrectly as he read out the umpires’ votes on footy’s night of nights.
The Demons midfielder was seen saying, ‘It’s Petracca, for f***’s sake’ just after McLachlan read out the votes for round 16 of the season.
The AFL boss had repeatedly pronounced his last name ‘Pet-rack-a’ when the correct pronunciation is ‘Pet-rah-ka’.
Petracca finished sixth in the medal count with 24 votes, meaning his name cropped up several times on Sunday night, with McLachlan one of the panel tasked with reading out the umpires’ marks for each round.
The Demons star was seen saying, ‘It’s Petracca, for f***’s sake’ after Gillon McLachlan repeatedly mispronounced his surname on Sunday night
The AFL CEO (pictured during the ceremony) pronounced his name ‘Pet-rack-a’ instead of the correct way, ‘Pet-rah-ka’
The 26-year-old was equal leader of the count after six rounds but gradually slipped away as Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps took out the game’s highest honour.
It seems McLachlan wasn’t the only one who was confused about how to say Petracca’s name correctly, with several fans reacting to his gaffe by taking to Twitter to ask what the true pronunciation is.
‘To be fair, the nickname ‘Trak’ – pronounced Track – doesn’t really help his cause,’ one wrote.
Cripps claimed the AFL’s highest honour for the first time with three votes in Carlton’s heartbreaking round 23 loss to Collingwood to sneak home on 29 votes ahead of Brisbane gun Neale (28 votes) and Gold Coast’s Touk Miller (27).
Petracca (pictured with partner Bella Beischer on the Brownlow red carpet on Sunday night) was equal leader after 10 rounds but fell away as the count went on. He was one of the early favourites to take out the award
McLachlan (pictured with wife Laura on the red carpet) was one of the panel members who read out the umpires’ votes for each round
But the 27-year-old had a stroke of luck at the tribunal to thank.
Cripps received a two-match ban after round 21 for a bump that concussed Brisbane’s Callum Ah Chee – which would have ruled him ineligible for the Brownlow – but had it surprisingly overturned in a marathon tribunal hearing on August 11.
It allowed him to play in round 22, where he didn’t poll, and round 23, where Cripps sealed victory.
Cripps, in the final announcement of the count, drew the maximum votes for 35 disposals and 12 clearances in the one-point loss to Collingwood that ultimately cost the Blues a finals berth.
‘To be honest, by the end of the game I was that numb,’ he said.
‘I’d rather get zero touches and win than play the way I did.
‘I’d love to be sober this time next year. That’s my goal.’
Miller and Neale entered round 23 on 27 apiece but Miller failed to poll and Neale earned just one vote.
Cripps is the first Blue to win the Brownlow since former skipper Chris Judd in 2010.
Brownlow Medal winner Patrick Cripps (pictured after his win) only secured the game’s highest honour in the last round
Cripps (pictured with Monique Fontana on Sunday night) earned the maximum three votes seven times but lagged behind Brisbane’s Lachie Neale for much of the night
‘I don’t know whether to laugh or cry,’ Cripps said as he accepted the prestigious medal.
Overall, Cripps polled in 13 games and earned the maximum three votes seven times.
He arguably could have added a couple more votes to his tally but received just one for his three-goal, 30-disposal effort against Richmond in round one.
Cripps, 27, first took the lead in round seven but was pegged back by Neale, who led for much of the count from round eight.