This petition stems from the Big O - Oscar McInerney. Oscar, an incredible ruckman for the Brisbane Lions, dislocated his shoulder twice in the preliminary final, effectively ruling him out of the grand final. Although he gave his all and embodied true club spirit, he did not receive a medal for his dedication and hard work. His situation is unfortunately not unique, showcasing an incredibly unfair system in the Australian Football League (AFL). The AFL currently only rewards the 23 players selected for the grand final with a medal, leaving many deserving players unrecognised. This tradition, although long upheld, fosters a system of exclusivity and fails to appreciate the multitude of players who participate in the finals.

Ironically, these are players who contribute their sweat and blood to the game, yet their efforts become publicly unrecognised due to a limitation in the tradition. Qualifying for finals itself is a significant achievement and competing in these high-stakes matches is a testament to their skill and dedication. The absence of a medal ceremony for all who played in finals neglects to acknowledge this.

Therefore, to honor the dedication and perseverance of these players, we implore the AFL to alter this tradition and award medals to all players who participate in the finals. Because every player who steps on that field during these important games is worthy of recognition. This isn't just for Oscar, but for every deserving finalist that has been omitted from this tradition. Stand with us to advocate for this important change in the AFL. Sign this petition to ensure all AFL finalists receive the recognition they deserve.