Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell has laughed off the blunder that saw a Sam Mitchell Brownlow souvenir jumper appear for sale on the AFL website during the medal count.
The framed image was accompanied by a lengthy caption that read in part: Congratulations to Hawthorn midfield star Sam Mitchell on a stellar 2015 season, capped off by becoming only Hawthorns fourth ever Brownlow Medallist.
The AFL called the promotion an "epic fail", blaming human error and explaining it had six Brownlow memorabilia options ready to go for when the winner named.
That was heavy favourite Fremantle's Nat Fyfe, with veteran Mitchell coming third, five votes behind the Dockers midfielder.
Mitchell said his wife suggested he should snap up the memorabilia.
"My wife had a little laugh at my expense," Mitchell said.
"She said, 'You should have bought one. It's the only way you're going to get one of those'."
The midfielder said by the time he was aware of what had happened Fyfe was so far in front he knew he was no chance of winning the medal.
Mitchell said Fyfe was a deserving winner of the award and he won even more fans with his impressive acceptance speech.
"From an on-field perspective everyone has got enormous respect and that grew even further if that was possible on Friday night, playing with a broken leg," Mitchell said.
"Everyone thinks he was a worthy winner and was outstanding in his season on the field, but then in his speech and the way he accepted the award he even grew in their thoughts."
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