Conclusion reached after AFL player caught in suspicious video7Sport
26 October 2020Richmond star Jayden Short has been cleared of any wrongdoing after bizarre footage of him interacting with a fan following the AFL grand final sent tongues wagging on social media.
During the Tigers’ victory lap at the Gabba following their 31-point victory against Geelong on Saturday, a fan leant over the fence and tried to give Short what looked like a small package.
The defender initially rejected the gift but following the Richmond fan’s insistence, Short accepted and tucked it into his socks.
It has since been confirmed the gift was a special gold and black watch from watchmaker Daniel Haas.
Geelong-raised businessman Haas recently moved to Queensland and started a watch-making business, and was keen for Short to promote his product during post-match celebrations.
Haas told News Corp on Monday it was his son who ensured 24-year-old Short accepted the watch.
“It was just a gesture and I am so humbled that he accepted the watch to begin with,” Haas said.
“It’s a gold and black watch, my favourite of the watches I sell. He came over and I thought he was nearly going to get the Norm Smith and I said to him, this is from my collection and my son wants to give it to you.
“He didn’t want to take it but when he saw it was from my son, he said, ‘Thank you very much’.
“I have been a Tiger fan all my life, I am very lucky we moved to Queensland and our cases are down compared to Victoria but I managed to get grand final tickets and it was an unreal experience.
“To take my son and best mate to the game was so good, especially over the team where I grew up in Geelong.
“I was always copping flak from Geelong supporters. For him to come back and give me a big handshake was so good.”
In April last year, Haas started his online business which he called Wilder Haas Watches.
“To be wearing one after the game and be able to pass it on to Jayden, I was lost for words,” he said.
Short finished second in the Norm Smith Medal voting and he should have received an addition two votes, with Leigh Matthews admitting he accidentally put down the wrong name.
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/conclusion-reached-after-afl-player-caught-in-suspicious-video-c-1458814
