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Worsfold, Embley to hand out GF medals

3 minute read

Former West Coast premiership captain and coach John Worsfold and 2006 Norm Smith medallist Andrew Embley have been handed key roles for the 2021 grand final.

JOHN WORSFOLD.
JOHN WORSFOLD. Picture: Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images

West Coast legend John Worsfold and former AFL star Andrew Embley will be reunited on the premiership dais yet again this month, but this time it will be to hand out the medals.

Worsfold has been unveiled as the man who will present the Jock McHale medal to the premiership-winning coach at this year's grand final in Perth.

Former Eagles midfielder Embley will hand over the Norm Smith medal to the player deemed best afield.

Worsfold is an iconic figure at West Coast, having captained the club to two premierships before coaching them to the 2006 flag.

Embley won the North Smith medal in 2006 in West Coast's thrilling one-point win over Sydney.

A picture of Worsfold embracing Embley shortly after the grand final win was one of the striking images of the famous day.

Nathan Buckley and Chris Judd were next in line to present the Norm Smith Medal, but they were both unable to travel to WA due to current COVID-19 border restrictions in place.

Former Sydney and Melbourne coach Paul Roos was meant to hand out the Jock McHale medal, but was also unable to make it into WA.

They will be offered the chance to present the medals in 2022.

"To present the Norm Smith medal on such a historic occasion here in Perth is something that's very special," Embley said.

Worsfold said his mind quickly returned to the job at hand after winning the 2006 flag.

"The job rolls on very quickly," Worsfold said.

"It's obviously a bit of a crowning moment in terms of what you're trying to achieve as a coach.

"But there's plenty of other ways in measuring success over time. You don't necessarily have to have won a premiership to say you had a successful coaching career."

Worsfold and Embley aren't the only former West Coast stars to be involved in Perth's historic grand final.

Two-time flag-winning defender Glen Jakovich was unveiled as the premiership cup ambassador last week.

The AFL announced earlier this week the September 25 grand final will start at 5.15pm local time, which is 7.15pm AEST.

The twilight start will allow the $1.6 billion Optus Stadium to put on a spectacular light show at half-time.

The AFL will hold the Brownlow medal count at Optus Stadium on Sunday, September 19, with proceedings to kick off at 5.30pm WST.

There will be four other venues across the country also set up for the night, with players to attend the location closest to where they are currently residing.

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