Latest news with #BrownlowMedal
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Animal rights activists put AFL WAGs on notice for Brownlow Medal
AFL WAGs have been put on notice ahead of the 2025 Brownlow Medal. The league's night of nights gives the partners behind the players the opportunity to shine bright as they stroll down the red carpet. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. But change could be on the way. In a letter penned to the AFL, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have called for the league to implement a ban for the ceremony in September. The activist group wants every single WAG to avoid wearing anything containing feathers or fur. 'The Brownlow Medal awards the fairest and best, but there's nothing remotely fair about birds being live plucked, factory farmed and killed for their feathers,' PETA's Senior Campaigns Advisor Mimi Bekhechi said. 'We urge the AFL to make real birds' feathers as unwelcome on the Brownlow red carpet as cheating is on the field.' The letter also added that wearing gowns with feathers 'is a betrayal' to the animals of which several teams are named. 'Several AFL teams are named after birds. Allowing attendees of the Brownlow Medal Celebration to wear the cruelly obtained feathers of these sensitive, clever animals is a betrayal,' the letter from PETA stated. 'The most beautiful thing the belles of the (foot)ball can wear is compassion.' The latest move from PETA comes after they called on the Brisbane Broncos to retire their long-time mascot, Buck. Since 2010 Buck has been a fan favourite, with pundits cheering and celebrating him every time he gallops onto the field with trainer and rider Natalie Siiankoski. In May they penned an open letter to the Broncos calling for his immediate removal stating it is simply wrong to put the horse through 'the stress of being a mascot'. Despite their hopes, the Broncos wasted no time in shutting down the request by stating Buck wouldn't be going anywhere. 'Buck is an iconic, much-loved and much cared for member of the Broncos family and has been for a very long time,' the Broncos said in a statement to 'We have no plans to retire Buck, and our game day staff will continue, as we always have, to work with his rider Nat and the stadium to ensure the highest level of safety, for both Buck and our fans in stadia.' If it was up to PETA, the axing of Buck is not the only change the Broncos would make, with the non-profit organisation urging the NRL club to also change its name and badge to stop glorifying rodeos while also giving a nod to their indigenous roots. 'The team could even adopt the name the 'Brisbane Boomerangs' after the impressive Aboriginal weapon — a nod to the team's fostering of Indigenous talent and commitment to equality,' PETA's letter stated.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will supersub Fyfe be unleashed against the Blues?
Fremantle veteran Nat Fyfe could reprise his supersub role as early as this week as the two-time Brownlow Medal winner prepares to make his latest comeback from injury. Fyfe missed the start of the season as he built back from knee surgery, then missed more time with a hamstring tear before making his AFL return in round 12 as the sub. The 33-year-old managed just three games before straining his calf while warming up as the sub at halftime of the round 16 win over St Kilda. Fyfe is now ready to return to playing duties, and a comeback via the WAFL is one viable option. But Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is also weighing up whether to bring Fyfe back as the sub for Sunday's clash with Carlton at Optus Stadium. Longmuir pulled the same move when Fyfe was ready to return from his hamstring injury earlier this year. "He offers us a lot as the sub, with his leadership, his maturity, his calm presence on the bench," Longmuir said of Fyfe, who is coming out of contract and is no certainty to play on next year. "And he's been able to come on as the sub and impact through the middle of the game with his experience, role play and contest work. "I'm open to a variety of different roles Fyfe can play, but the No.1 thing is to get is body right and confidence in his body. "It's about making sure we build his footy and confidence in his body so he can really make the most of the last period of the season." In a perfect world, Fyfe would come on at three-quarter time against Carlton to add some late impact. But Longmuir knows playing Fyfe as the sub in his first game back comes with risks. "If you get an injury in the first quarter, can that player hold up for three quarters? That's always a consideration," Longmuir said. "There's a balance of what Fyfey needs and what the team needs. "He needs to be fit and confident in his body and game." Skipper Alex Pearce is also a chance to return after recovering from a lingering hot spot in his shin. Pearce was sidelined for five weeks with the injury, returned against Sydney in round 17, before being sidelined again for the next three weeks after experiencing a flare-up from that game. "I'm more confident than last time. I can't say 100 per cent though," Longmuir replied when asked about the risks of a recurrence. "There's always a risk, but I feel like he's done the work and is in a good spot. "I think we've probably been a little bit more conservative this time, so it should hold him in good stead." some good news for your Wednesday 😍#foreverfreo — Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) July 30, 2025 Meanwhile, defender Kyle Worner has signed a two-year contract extension, tying him to Fremantle until the end of 2027. The seventh-placed Dockers (13-6) have won nine of their past 10 games to be just percentage adrift of fourth spot with four games remaining.
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Will supersub Fyfe be unleashed against the Blues?
Fremantle veteran Nat Fyfe could reprise his supersub role as early as this week as the two-time Brownlow Medal winner prepares to make his latest comeback from injury. Fyfe missed the start of the season as he built back from knee surgery, then missed more time with a hamstring tear before making his AFL return in round 12 as the sub. The 33-year-old managed just three games before straining his calf while warming up as the sub at halftime of the round 16 win over St Kilda. Fyfe is now ready to return to playing duties, and a comeback via the WAFL is one viable option. But Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is also weighing up whether to bring Fyfe back as the sub for Sunday's clash with Carlton at Optus Stadium. Longmuir pulled the same move when Fyfe was ready to return from his hamstring injury earlier this year. "He offers us a lot as the sub, with his leadership, his maturity, his calm presence on the bench," Longmuir said of Fyfe, who is coming out of contract and is no certainty to play on next year. "And he's been able to come on as the sub and impact through the middle of the game with his experience, role play and contest work. "I'm open to a variety of different roles Fyfe can play, but the No.1 thing is to get is body right and confidence in his body. "It's about making sure we build his footy and confidence in his body so he can really make the most of the last period of the season." In a perfect world, Fyfe would come on at three-quarter time against Carlton to add some late impact. But Longmuir knows playing Fyfe as the sub in his first game back comes with risks. "If you get an injury in the first quarter, can that player hold up for three quarters? That's always a consideration," Longmuir said. "There's a balance of what Fyfey needs and what the team needs. "He needs to be fit and confident in his body and game." Skipper Alex Pearce is also a chance to return after recovering from a lingering hot spot in his shin. Pearce was sidelined for five weeks with the injury, returned against Sydney in round 17, before being sidelined again for the next three weeks after experiencing a flare-up from that game. "I'm more confident than last time. I can't say 100 per cent though," Longmuir replied when asked about the risks of a recurrence. "There's always a risk, but I feel like he's done the work and is in a good spot. "I think we've probably been a little bit more conservative this time, so it should hold him in good stead." Meanwhile, defender Kyle Worner has signed a two-year contract extension, tying him to Fremantle until the end of 2027. The seventh-placed Dockers (13-6) have won nine of their past 10 games to be just percentage adrift of fourth spot with four games remaining.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Animal rights activists PETA target footy WAGs with demand for bizarre clothing ban
Animal rights activists have called for a complete ban on feathers on the red carpet ahead of the AFL's Brownlow Medal ceremony in September. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recently penned an open letter to Daniel Pendergast, the Senior Event Executive at the AFL to make the demand. The glamour social event is often dubbed the 'Gownlows' due to the focus on the eye-catching outfits worn by the partners of the country's biggest footy stars. Mimi Bekhechi, PETA's Senior Campaigns Advisor, doesn't want to see any gowns featuring feathers or fur at this year's footy night of nights. 'The Brownlow Medal awards the fairest and best, but there's nothing remotely fair about birds being live plucked, factory farmed and killed for their feathers,' Bekhechi said in a statement. 'We urge the AFL to make real birds' feathers as unwelcome on the Brownlow red carpet as cheating is on the field.' It comes after PETA called on the Western Bulldogs to retire their mascots and change the club's name last September. PETA's complaint pointed to the AFL club's 'deformed' mascots, Caesar and Sunny, who attend every home game dressed in Bulldogs attire. Bekhechi issued a letter to Bulldogs president Kylie Watson-Wheeler in which she urged the club to recognise health issues with the bulldogs breed, suggesting the club should change their name to the 'Western Mutts' to promote animal wellbeing. PETA believe the use of bulldogs Caesar and Sunny 'normalises and advocates for the breeding of breathing-impaired breeds of dogs who suffer severe health problems and deformities.' 'Extremely short snouts spell suffering,' Bekhechi said in the letter. 'By showcasing Caesar and Sunny at games and events and promoting their breeder, the team is – however unwittingly – supporting the intentional breeding of dogs with painful and debilitating deformities.' PETA offered to contribute to rebranding costs, arguing by changing its name the club would promote homeless animals. 'We have a suggestion that will modernise the Western Bulldogs' image: retire Caesar and Sunny and rename the club the "Western Mutts",' PETA said in the letter. The animal welfare group said the Western Bulldogs should not use 'deformed' Caesar (pictured) as a mascot at home games in Melbourne 'By not promoting breathing impaired dog breeds (BIB)...you would avoid normalising their suffering and instead help champion loveable and unique mixed-breed dogs, who typically live longer and are healthier than their flat-faced cousins. 'By relinquishing Caesar and Sunny's mascot duties to your willing human costumed mascots and renaming the team the 'Western Mutts', you would be taking a stand against the 'pedigree' dog–breeding industry while championing the adoption of wonderful mixed breeds and other homeless animals.' At the time, the Western Bulldogs chose not to comment on the matter.
Daily Telegraph
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Telegraph
AFL Today Show Round 20 Wrap
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. The AFL Today Show is here for all your Round 20 needs, wrapping up every single game with stats, banter and insights as St Kilda pull off a miraculous final quarter comeback through superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Nick Daicos all but locks in a maiden Brownlow Medal win and finals contenders stamp their foot down, plus all the big questions answered! Can the Crows take out the minor premiership? Are Brisbane going to miss the top four? Can Jeremy Cameron reach 100 goals this season? Where does Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera rank across the leagues best players? Can anyone catch Nick Daicos in the Brownlow Medal race? Will Hawthorn or the Western Bulldogs miss the top eight? Can GWS or Fremantle make the Grand Final? The panel chat about the biggest AFL news, amazing moments, huge match-ups, plus highlighting the biggest & best moments, led by Jeremy Cameron kicking a career high, Wanganeen-Milera heroics & breaking down who will miss the 2025 finals out of Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs and Fremantle! Get around the AFL Today Show with panellists Liam McAllion, Marcus Bazzano & Leo Mullaly as they talk out all things footy for the 2025 AFL season! Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera of the Saints celebrates after match winning goal against the Demons. Picture: Michael Klein FOLLOW AFL TODAY SHOW CONTENT The AFL Today Show is your ultimate footy companion, covering every single team equally and in depth! We break down each game and round of the 2025 season with three shows a week, expert tips, social posts galore, in-depth analysis, debates, interviews with players and top journalists, as well as plenty of banter—chatting about all the things that make AFL great! Two shows every week, including a round preview show and a round wrap on every game! YouTube: Instagram: TikTok: Facebook: X: Originally published as WATCH AFL Round 20 Wrap - Daicos Brownlow & Nas History | AFL Today Show
