Once the final siren sounds on the last Saturday in September, eager AFL fans tune into the post-game presentation for the one moment watched with bated breath.
As the winning team marks their grand final triumph, players are called to the podium to accept their premiership medal from a young Auskicker.
This once-in-a-lifetime moment is unforgettable for the little footy stars, but it has also become famous for something else entirely: the awkward moment where at least one deserving youngster is left hanging by a celebrating premiership player.
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An Auskicker delivers a heart-melting message to Brisbane’s Josh Dunkley following the Lions’ grand final victory. Seven
This year, however, Brisbane kept a clean sheet.
Following the Lions’ dominant 47-point triumph over the Cats, there were no such Auskicker incidents on the podium.
Instead, several of the interactions between the young Auskickers and their premiership heroes were sweet, melting hearts across the country.
As midfielder Josh Dunkley stepped up to the dais, the young Auskicker presenting his medal told him, “You did great, mate”.
Dunkley showed his appreciation by thanking her before shaking her hand and gifting her a souvenir cap.
Remarkably, Dunkley later revealed that he ran out the decider with a significant ankle injury, which he had suffered the previous weekend.
Moments later, as forward Cam Rayner accepted his medal, the Auskicker delivered a touching message: “I want to be just like you”.
Rayner immediately responded, “Oh, thanks, I want to be like you”.
Lions teammates Cam Rayner and Josh Dunkley embrace while celebrating their AFL grand final win. Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos via Getty Images
The two then shared a high-five.
The Lions clearly learned from past incidents.
Last year, they positioned a dedicated staffer near the podium to give players strict instructions on medal etiquette.
However, despite their planning, forward Charlie Cameron missed a vital step.
After a young girl placed the medal around his neck, he put the cap on her head but then immediately turned away to celebrate the moment, snubbing her outstretched hand.
In previous years, Geelong’s Tom Stewart and Collingwood’s Beau McCreery, Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox have also missed the mark.