Channel 7 called out after hounding AFL star on golf course in latest questionable move
AFL superstar Zak Butters was hounded by a Channel 7 reporter while playing golf in the latest questionable move by the TV network.
The behaviour of a Channel 7 journalist has been called out after the network again appeared to overstep the mark in its dealing with players, this time hounding a set of AFL stars who were enjoying a casual round of golf in their off-season.
Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters was playing at the prestigious The National Golf Club on Victoria’s Morning Peninsula on Thursday, with manager Peter Lenton and Bombers pair Darcy Parish and Sam Durham.
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However, things turned ugly after 7News’ chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary approached Butters on the 18th of the iconic golf course to quiz him on his future at Port Adelaide.
The 25-year-old has been in Melbourne this week, training with Carlton development coach Torin Baker.
And Cleary was keen to ask Butters if Port fans should be worried about him leaving.
Butters responded: “Shouldn’t be worried at all, it’s a good golf course.”
“I’m playing at Port next year, so I’m not going to comment.”
You can watch the interaction in the video at the top of the page
The interaction from the Channel 7 reporter left former Brisbane and Port Adelaide midfielder Tom Rockliff incensed.
“Was enjoying a round of golf until he got chased by you,” he wrote on X in response to Cleary’s tweet about the interaction.
“You think this is good content that anyone is interested in? Wonder why players give nothing to reporters. Behaviour like this is unacceptable. AFL Players Association should intervene.”
Cleary responded, saying: “The boys were asking us to film their birdie putt on the last. Waited till the round was over and asked him three questions.”
It was something Rockcliff disagreed with: “Come on Mitch, we know that’s not true.
I can tell the story if you would like me too?”
Cleary didn’t respond to that message at the time of publication.
Fans have also grown frustrated with the networks tactics to doorstop players out and about.
“Mitch, hope next time you are with your mates someone comes up and annoys the crap out of you,” one fan commented on Cleary’s post on X.
“This is so embarassing once again from you Mitch. Getting kicked off the golf course because you are chasing Zak down like a rat while he’s on holiday,” another added.
“You were supposed to be one of the good ones, Mitch. These doorstopping efforts lately are beneath you and hurting your rep,” a third commented.
It is just the latest in a string of negative interactions between the network and AFL players.
Just last week, star midfielder Clayton Oliver unleashed after being confronted at Melbourne Airport just hours after being informed by the Demons that they don’t see a future for him at the club.
“Honestly, f--- off, I don’t know how many times I’ve got to say it, mate,” an irate Oliver was heard saying in one interaction with Channel 7.
“I’m going to Sydney on a holiday and then I’m going to America, got nothing to do with anything.”
When they again followed him to the area where he checked his luggage, he went on a tirade towards Cleary, in a vision that was posted and later deleted by Channel 7,
“I f***ing hate that c*** he is a f***wit,” Oliver uttered, in reference to Cleary.
That was because Cleary ran the original footage in a story just after midday,
That piece drew a swift response from Oliver, who tagged Cleary in an Instagram story of himself playing a VFL game, captioned “actually doesn’t look too bad on me”, in reference to the Casey jumper he was wearing.
Earlier this season, Channel 7 crews also ambushed Jack Ginnivan, questioning him on why he flipped Adelaide fans the bird.
Channel 7 Adelaide reporter Lauren Rose approached Ginnivan, who was caught off guard and in no mood to talk.
“What was with the middle finger at Crows fans last night?” Rose asked him.
“Are you a sore loser?’ She continued to probe before coaxing a response from the footballer.
“Do you think I’m going to speak to you?” the Hawthorn player snapped.
“Haven’t you just?’ the reporter clapped back, drawing a slight chuckle from Ginnivan.
“Why are you laughing?” she added.
“Because you’re embarrassing. Imagine trying to stop me at an airport.”
The exchange between the pair was uncomfortable to watch, and the reporter was slammed for goading the Hawks forward.
“I thought she was being a bit of a smart ass. I thought she was trying to provoke a reaction and bait him,” Shane McInnes said on 3AW at the time.
“Ok, your news director sends you out to get a comment from Jack Ginnivan, fine, that’s the job, but I thought the manner in which she carried herself wasn’t ideal.”
Laura Spurway added: “He has every right to say I’m not going to talk to you.”
Originally published as Channel 7 called out after hounding AFL star on golf course in latest questionable move
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