Alexander (AJ) Brimson will be issued with an enormous fine after bringing The Frownlow Medal into disrepute.
The Gold Coast Titans player was recently referred to the NRL Integrity Unit after posting evidence of a sports bet on social media, and should thus be nominated for the medal.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern-day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes: the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while NRL star Talatau Amone is the most recent recipient.
Brimson will be forced to pay the massive fine after it was revealed that the post was nothing more than a mistake or even a prank – certainly not worthy of a nomination for the most prestigious prize in Australian sport.
The storm in a Titans cup goes something like this:
The NRL Integrity was informed of a social media post by Brimson showing a winning bet on the Melbourne Cup of about $10,000. Below this bet were two wagers on a rugby league match.
It was thought Brimson had bet on a league game – a serious offence for a league player and one which saw Tim Simona win the Frownlow in 2017.
Brimson’s post was later deleted.
This could make him look guilty.
However, the story unravelled, and Brimson’s manager said the gambling account belonged to Brimson’s mum, Vanessa, whose current partner is called Kerry Knight, hence the bet on Cup winner Knight’s Choice.
In the end, the post was apparently nothing more than a prank gone wrong.
Brimson should know that will never win him The Frownlow Medal.
He plays rugby league, which has supplied the most Frownlow medallists and nominees for the medal and the hall of fame. He also plays for the Titans, where 2021 medallist Jarryd Hayne played a number of mediocre games. He’s also part of the Queensland system which produced Ezra Mam, who is one of the favourites for the medal this year after a motor vehicle incident which left a young child in hospital.
Brimson should know better.
That’s why he, or his Mum, or her boyfriend, or the agent…or someone, will be forced to pay a substantial fine to The Frownlow Medal for threatening the integrity of the award.
Image: NuNa
The Frownlow Medal 