Anthony Albanese’s extraordinary swipe at Footy Show host

Anthony Albanese has given an Aussie footballer a stinging backhand after accusations that clearly irked the Prime Minister.

Anthony Albanese has hit back at Footy Show host Nathan Brown over accusations the Prime Minister faked his support of Hawthorn earlier this month.

Brown turned a flamethrower on Mr Albanese when the Labor leader was spotted celebrating inside the Hawks’ dressing room following their huge elimination final win over the Bulldogs.

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Brown light-heartedly said the vision of Mr Albanese in the rooms “sickens me” and said viewers weren’t “buying it”.

The 61-year-old has now had his say, correcting the AFL media commentator.

The Member for Grayndler in Sydney said it would have been a “dumb thing to do” for his image to claim Hawthorn allegiance in a season where the Swans have been the hottest ticket in town.

Albo in the rooms after the win.

“To Nathan Brown I say, mate, if you chose this year, when you’re from Sydney, to not say you’re a Swans supporter when they’ve been the favourites for the flag all year, when the Hawks began with five straight losses — then that would be a pretty dumb thing to do,” he said in a pre-recorded interview shown on the Footy Show on Sunday morning.

He said former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett — former Premier of Victoria — would confirm that he has been a passionate Hawks fan for decades.

“I’ve joined the Swans when they were part of ‘Save our Swans’ when they were in trouble, but I’ve always stayed loyal to the Hawks because you can’t change team,” he said.

When asked if he was a bandwagon jumper, the PM responded: “Absolutely not”.

Brown, is not taking a step back.

Anthony Albanese set the record straight. Photo: Channel 9.

Anthony Albanese didn't miss. Photo: Channel 9.

When asked if he wanted to apologise, Brown responded: “It’s just in jest. Take it for what it is. It’s like (Footy Show segment”) Media-ocre, we take it for what it is.

“I don’t think he cares one iota what I think of him.”

Clearly his comments irked the PM enough to organise for a right of reply on Nine.

Brown’s original comments divided the footy community earlier this month.

“I feel like the Prime Minister, this was for the good of himself going into the Hawthorn rooms. This sickens me,” Brown said.

“Anthony Albanese, he had a look at the polls and he thought Peter Dutton is closing, he’s in front there’s a gap. He feels like ‘I need to look like a common man. I’m going to go into the Hawthorn rooms’.

“Give it up, Albo, no-one is buying it.”

Albo was called out for the post-game act. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

It wasn’t the first time this year the Prime Minister has come under fire from the Sunday Footy Show panel after host Tony Jones earlier scolded him for a similar act earlier in the season.

After Hawthorn pulled off a five-point upset victory over St Kilda in Launceston, Mr Albanese joined the players as they belted out the team song following the win.

Jones was scathing of Mr Albanese’s behaviour.

“I was almost sick yesterday when I looked at the Hawthorn club song and there front and centre was the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese,” Jones said.

“He has no interest in AFL. And there he was there … he’s got the scarf around … just go away.

“Seriously, when will Prime Minister’s learn to stay in your lane and that’s normally in the House of Representatives.”

Jones went on to say: “Albo, you’re not an AFL fan, stay away.”

Originally published as Anthony Albanese’s extraordinary swipe at Footy Show host