Footballer WAG’s and wannabe celebrities strutted their stuff on the blue carpet this Monday night in celebration of the 2009 Brownlow Medallist.

However, you would be forgiven for thinking they were there purely for self promotion, rather than to honour the best and fairest player of the AFL season.

For 85 years the Brownlow medal has been the most prestigious individual award a player can receive. The night is about individual performances, which is why it comes as no surprise to see the event evolve into what it is today.

The last Monday before the Grand Final used to about the players, and a reflection of the season that was, but it is now more about sexy red dresses, silver visible G-Strings, or outfits which reveal busty bras. 

The history and culture of the award has been washed away by a bunch of attention seeking individuals who refer to themselves as WAG’s.

In the past, viewers used to watch the arrivals to see their favourite football star and hear them talk, now we tune in to check out the latest girlfriends and wives of the players, and to marvel at their overpriced outfits.

It is no longer the players who are interviewed, but rather their guests who do the talking, plugging their designer and boasting about how much money they are wearing.

But is this what we really want the Brownlow Medal to be like? Just another American award night where we forget about what the night really means?

While the WAG’s may be great for advertisers and major sponsors of the night, who get the extra coverage and boost in ratings as a result of the glamour and sex appeal, they come at a cost.

The culture and quirkiness of our unique game has been compromised for commercial interests.

If this trend continues, it is only a matter of time before we scrap bouncing the ball, get rid of goal umpires, and recruit cheerleaders. 

WHAT’S YOU OPINION?

Do you enjoy watching the glamour and style of the Brownlow Medal?

Do you wish they would spend more time covering the football side of the night?

Where has Australia’s obsession with celebrities derived from?

Do you enjoy watching the Brownlow Medal Count?