Triple M host called out for labelling men’s netball dance ‘disgusting’

A Triple M host has been called out on-air after describing the viral Australian men’s viral netball dance as “embarrassing”.

A Triple M radio host has been called out on-air after slamming the Australian men’s netball team for their pre-game dance that has gone viral.

The Aussie men’s netball team’s choreographed moves to NSYNC’s hit Bye Bye Bye, got fans talking around the globe, but the players involved have also come in for harsh criticism — despite going on to win the Fast5 netball series in New Zealand.

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Kelpies player Liam Forcadilla explained it is standard operating procedure in men’s Fast5 tournaments for all team’s to perform a dance at the start of the competition, which was held in Christchuch last weekend.

“It’s just a bit of fun that the organisers like us to do pre-match,” he said.

“All the other teams got a dance out there. It’s pretty fun. It’s not something all of us are comfortable doing, but there’s also a solid half of us that love it.”

The Kelpies went on to win the tournament, defeating New Zealand 32-30 in the final thanks to a clutch four-point shot from Jordon Webb.

But Triple M host Ben Dobbin wasn’t impressed by the pre-tournament dance and let rip on his Brisbane drivetime show The Rush Hour last week in comments that have resurfaced on social media.

“I understand if you’re from New Zealand and you do the haka,” Dobbin began his criticism.

“I don’t understand if you’re Australian and whoever gave you the name the Kelpies …”

Leisel Jones chimed in: “It’s brilliantly, ironically Australian.”

The Kelpies danced to NSYNC’s Bye Bye Bye. Photo: Channel 7

“Well I’m sorry, playing men’s netball isn’t iconically Australian,” Dobbin quipped.

“I’m being honest here. I’m appalled by this. These blokes, seriously, take a look at yourselves.

“Male netball does not have a place for Backstreet Boys.”

Host Liam Flanagan clearly disagreed with Dobbin, interjecting: “To be clear, this is Triple M not 4BC.”

Flanagan asked: “What are you upset about? Men playing netball, or the dancing?”

Dobbin replied: “Both. I’m more upset about the dancing. You’re representing our country and you’ve got Backstreet Boys doing this sort of hip hop dance before you go to represent our country.

“I’m sorry. It’s a gimmick. They made the headlines but for all the wrong reasons.”

Jones joked: “Should the Kelpies have gone to the Olympics instead of Raygun?”

Dobbin continued: “They’re of the same ilk. These blokes, they should be ashamed. And I mean that genuinely.”

Flanagan asked Dobbin: “So did you have a problem that the women did it? Every team was directed by the tournament organisers to perform before their first game of the tournament.”

Dobbin said: “Well they’re not sheep, they don’t have to do that.”

Flangan continued: ‘Don’t you think it would be poor form if the tournament is like, ‘Hey, this is like T20 cricket, we’re trying to build a fast-paced, exciting atmosphere’. The crowd lost their marbles over that.”

Dobbin concluded: “Dance to Horses or Working Class Man, not the Backstreet Boys. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, this is disgusting. Mate, it’s embarrassing.

“Daryl (Braithwaite) does it at every Cox Plate, there’s no dramas with that.”

Triple M host Ben Dobbin (right) wasn’t a fan of the dance.

Dobbin has been slammed after his comments circulated on social media.

Gogglebox star Yvie Jones commented: “Cry harder Sobbo. Imagine being this upset about humans enjoying themselves and not hurting anyone.”

One person said: “He totally missed the whole point of Fast 5. Nearly all nations danced to songs that weren’t related to their nation! I thought it was great!!!”

A second said: “Oh gawddd help us... Mate, get a grip … why do you even care.”

A third added: “Imagine being angry at people dancing and enjoying themselves.”

Another said: “Sounds like this is disrupting someone’s long held beliefs of what it is to be a man. Grow up.”

The team gets into position. Photo: Channel 7

Code Sports reporter Lachlan McKirdy earlier in the week called out the toxic, homophobic comments made by some Twitter accounts using derogatory language to suggest men’s netball is a an embarrassment.

“I think my favourite thing of the weekend is that all the fragile men triggered by this have to put up with the fact the Aussies actually went on to WIN the tournament,” McKirdy wrote on Twitter.

He also posted: “I’m directly calling out the disgusting homophobia that has forced comments to be disabled and abuse directed at players across social media.”

Former Hockeyroos goalkeeper Georgie Parker also said “men’s sporting teams should be doing more boy band routines”.

Earlier on Channel 7’s Sunrise, the brains behind the dance, goalshooter Dravyn Lee-Tauroa said the choreography was inspired by Hollywood action classic Deadpool, which stars Ryan Reynolds as a crass anti-hero.

“That was on me. So, we started with the cha-cha slide and I didn’t want any part of that,” Lee-Tauroa said.

“I saw this dance come up on TikTok from the new ‘Deadpool’ movie.

“I was inspired by that and the boys got around it.

“We always wanted to be in a boy band. Who hasn’t? And we got to perform.”

Australia’s women’s team defeated New Zealand 34-30 in the final to win their third successive Fast5 title.

Originally published as Triple M host called out for labelling men’s netball dance ‘disgusting’