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A touching exchange between a star player and young fan was overheard during coverage of the AFL Grand Final post-game presentation - but some fans aren't buying it.
The Brisbane Lions became two-time premiers after taking apart a disappointing Geelong Cats in the final quarter of the 2025 AFL Grand Final at the MCG.
After the final siren, players were called to the podium to accept their medals from young Auskick players.
Television coverage captured the sweet moment Lions star Cam Rayner accepted his medal, when one of the youngsters told him: 'I want to be just like you.'
Rayner replied, 'Oh, thanks, I want to be like you', before the pair shared a high-five.
The vision quickly went viral, but it raised the eyebrows of many fans who questioned whether the seemingly off-the-cuff moment was actually scripted.
Some fans raised their eyebrows at the heartwarming post-match presentation
Sports journalist Mark Gottlieb posted on X: 'The 3 times this happened seemed … forced. Microphone got turned up just in time for a cute kid to say something cute. No need to 'create' these moments.'
Another posted: 'Always a fun game to pick the Auskick kids that are wearing a microphone and have been told exactly what to say.'
A third replied: 'The mic'd up Auskick kids seems a little contrived and fake and an AFL marketing department roundtable idea...'
The debate continued on Reddit, with more than a few footy fans believing the moments had been set up.
'Very cringey and feels very artificial,' posted one user.
'Scripted and cringe. It's a small moment on a big day, but a great example of the AFL and their obsession with controlling outcomes,' said another.
In what was a remarkable end to the contest, the Cats had no answers as Brisbane seemingly kicked majors for fun in the third and fourth quarters.
The end margin flattered Geelong, who would have been confident at halftime with the score deadlocked at 36-all.
The Brisbane Lions became two-time premiers after swallowing up a disappointing Geelong Cats in the final quarter
Brisbane are the first team to snare back-to-back AFL titles since Richmond in 2019 and 2020
Lions co-captain Lachie Neale - who entered the decider under an injury cloud - finished with 17 touches, seven clearances, three tackles and a solo goal from 50 metres.
The veteran admitted post-game he was on edge early on as the clash threatened to be a cliffhanger.
'At halftime it was anyone's game,' he said.
'I felt like a bit of a supporter in the first half. It was probably the most nervous I've ever been to come on in the third quarter, with the scores tied and (personally) coming off limited preparation... but we got it done.'
Neale also had the last laugh over many critics who loudly questioned his place in the team.
Brisbane are the first team to snare back-to-back AFL titles since Richmond in 2019 and 2020.
It was also the club's fifth premiership since the turn of the century.
