60 Minutes didn’t approach Cameron Smith to respond to Alex McKinnon’s criticism

THE executive producer of 60 Minutes has revealed why Cameron Smith wasn’t approached to respond to Alex McKinnon’s emotional criticism.

CAMERON Smith has turned down the chance to respond to Alex McKinnon’s emotional criticism of the Melbourne Test captain.

In the wake of Sunday night’s explosive and telling 60 Minutes interview, Channel Nine and to a degree McKinnon have both come under fire for not giving Smith the opportunity to tell his side of the story.

McKinnon expressed his hurt and disgust at Smith’s reaction in the immediate aftermath of the tackle that left him paralysed.

Smith argued with the referee at the time that McKinnon’s decision to duck his head had contributed to the dangerous tackle that left McKinnon in a wheelchair.

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McKinnon also claimed that Smith had made no attempt to personally contact him in the 15 months since the tragic injury.

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60 Minutes executive producer Tom Malone told The Daily Telegraph that the decision not to approach Smith was made out of respect to McKinnon and his family who were telling their story publicly for the first time.

“60 Minutes chose not to contact Cameron Smith before our story went to air, because this was Alex’s story, told by Alex and his family and friends,” Malone said.

“The facts of the story are not in dispute, and the opinions expressed are those honestly held by Alex and his family.”

Malone said 60 Minutes’ priority was to McKinnon, his family and girlfriend Teigan Power.

“This was the first time Alex and his family got to hear each other talk about some of their darkest moments, including the moment Alex wanted to end his life,” Malone said.

“They are a loving and protective tight-knit unit _ everything a family should be _ and we are proud to have told their story.

“We have offered Cameron Smith the chance to be interviewed for this Sunday’s program, but he has declined our offer.”

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Melbourne Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy chose not to expand on the club’s statement that was issued on Sunday before the Channel 9 program went to air.

That statement pointed out that Storm players led by Smith had requested to visit McKinnon numerous times while he was in hospital in Melbourne but understood why the requests were declined at that point.