Collingwood’s Beau McCreery stole the show at the 2024 AFL Grand Final Sprint, taking home the title with an impressive time of 10.18 seconds. However, the event didn’t go without controversy as accusations surfaced regarding a false start by a St Kilda runner. Despite the heated competition, McCreery’s victory sparked pride among Collingwood fans, who lauded him for keeping their team’s name alive on Grand Final day.
The annual Grand Final Sprint, a fan-favorite event held during halftime of the AFL Grand Final, saw athletes from various clubs battle it out in a dash to the finish line. McCreery’s swift performance earned him the coveted first-place finish, but it was the Saints competitor’s controversial start that became the focal point of post-race discussions.
Spectators claimed the St Kilda runner had jumped the starting line before the race officially began, giving him an unfair advantage. Despite this, McCreery’s speed saw him claim the win with a legal finish. Collingwood fans were quick to praise Beau for his win, noting that even amid the Saints’ apparent head start, he still managed to cross the finish line first.
“Congratulations to Beau! What a win for Collingwood, even when we’re not in the Grand Final, we still come out on top!” one fan exclaimed. Another fan humorously remarked, “That’s the closest thing St Kilda has gotten to winning something on Grand Final day for quite some time… and they still lost to Collingwood!”
The Saints runner’s attempt to claim victory by throwing his arms forward as he crossed the finish line didn’t go unnoticed either, with many labeling the gesture as an unsuccessful attempt to overshadow McCreery’s triumph. “Even with a cheating Saints player, Beau still came out on top. GO BEAU!” one supporter added.
The crowd’s reaction during the event also added to the drama, as boos could be heard from some sections of the interstate supporters. Many were disappointed by the unsportsmanlike response, particularly given that all the competitors were seen smiling and sharing in the camaraderie after the race.
While the false start claims marred the competition, McCreery’s performance remains the highlight of the 2024 Grand Final Sprint. His victory brought a sense of joy and pride to Collingwood supporters, who saw it as a win for their club on a day where they were not competing for the premiership itself.
For many, McCreery’s Grand Final Sprint win was a reminder of the spirit of competition and camaraderie in the AFL, even when tensions run high. As one fan concluded, “What a lousy lot of interstate supporters to boo when all of the competitors had smiles. Sad to hear the crowd boo! Great win, Beau. Simply the best!”
