Football fans furious over Brownlow Medal host’s joke about ‘coming home alive’ to Las Vegas… 12 years after young star’s death in Sin City

Football fans have noticed an unfortunate misstep by Brownlow Medal presenter Rebecca Maddern, which has brought back memories of a tragedy that struck the AFL.

The TV presenter was in attendance alongside Hamish McLachlan at the glamorous ceremony in Melbourne on Monday night, with Carlton’s Patrick Cripps taking home the prestigious award with 45 votes.

As the evening progressed, Maddern interviewed a number of football stars in the room, including Collingwood’s Jamie Elliott, who missed out on the year’s best performance award to teammate Bobby Hill.

Hill takes home $50,000 and two million Virgin Velocity points and joked that he would use the prize money and points for a trip to Las Vegas with Elliott the next morning.

Maddern touched on Hill’s comments in her interview with Elliott, closing their conversation by saying, “Jamie, thanks. It was a nice chat. Have a great time in Vegas. I wish you all the best. And come home alive.”

Elliott didn’t find the lighthearted joke funny and fans were quick to point out why on social media.

Former Magpies and Power star John McCarthy died at the age of 22 during an end-of-season trip to Sin City in 2012 when he fell from the roof of the Flamingo Hotel.

The tragedy struck the AFL and both clubs still remember him fondly.

Rebecca Maddern made an unfortunate joke that left a sour taste in the Brownlow

The TV presenter hosted the glamorous event in Melbourne on Monday night

Fans demanded an apology from Channel 7 for the innocent blunder.

‘Rebecca Maddern needs to apologize to John McCarthy and Jamie Elliott’s family for her insensitive comments about her coming back from Vegas alive,’ one person posted. ‘Most disgusting and heartless thing I’ve ever heard a ‘host’ say.’

Another said: ‘It’s really weird hearing Rebecca Maddern on TV saying Jamie Elliott needs to ‘come home alive’ from Vegas.’

A third fan wrote: “Did Rebecca Maddern just make a joke about an AFL player ‘coming back alive’ from Vegas on a post season trip? What f**king bad taste. Expecting a full apology before the news is over.”

‘I can’t believe Rebecca Maddern told a Collingwood player who went to Vegas ‘Come back alive’…’ added a fourth.

However, some fans were more understanding of the misstep.

She told Jamie Elliott to “come back alive” from Las Vegas, reminding fans of John McCarthy’s death in Sin City during the 2012 midseason finale.

“Bec Maddern. Don’t mind her. But the Vegas joke about coming home alive… Not too early, but very unnecessary. IYKYK. J-Mac,” said one.

“She’s clearly unaware of JMac and the circumstances surrounding his death,” a second fan reasoned. “It still wasn’t funny to say. I think she’s going to feel terrible.”

‘Rebecca Maddern’s come back alive from Vegas joke is just standard drivel to me,’ added a third fan. ‘People want to see things that were clearly not intended and try to stir up controversy.’