Heather Garriock and Queensland Sports Minister Tim Mander respond to Marty Sheargold’s outburst

Matildas legend Heather Garriock and Queensland Minister for Sport Tim Mander have slammed the comments from radio personality Marty Sheargold - and they did not miss.

Matildas legend Heather Garriock and Queensland Minister for Sport Tim Mander have slammed the ‘puerile’ comments from former Triple M radio host Marty Sheargold.

The controversial personality has since “mutually agreed to part ways with Triple M” after he compared the national women’s team to “Year 10 girls”, then said he would “rather hammer a nail through his c--- than watch women’s football” before asking for an update on men’s sports.

Speaking at the launch of the of the 2026 Women’s AFC Asian Cup draw, which confirmed the Matildas will play at least one game on the Gold Coast, Mr Mander did not hold back in his criticism of Sheargold.

Hon. Tim Mander MP, Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister at the launch of the 1 year to go for the Women’s Asian Cup Football, at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast. Pics Adam Head

“The comments made by that Sydney media personality were absolutely puerile and are a sad reflection on him,” he said.

“It is good to see that he is no longer on the airwaves and it is also good to see that he’s flushed out all the support that the Matildas actually have.

“They are loved by Australians, their performance in the last World Cup was inspiring and I am very confident that all of Australia are behind the Matildas.

“Occasionally mugs say stupid things, that was one of those things and it’s great the he’s no longer on the airwaves.”

That sentiment was supported by former Matilda Garriock, who believed the right outcome occurred.

“Of course it’s the right outcome, he no longer has a job,” she said.

“For us as women who have gone through sport and know how important and hard that we’ve worked, it’s just fantastic to see the unification not only from women’s sport, but sport in general.

Radio personality Marty Sheargold Picture: Supplied/Triple M

“Those comments are just not appropriate and we won’t stand for that.”

Garriock was delighted to see the immediate backlash to the comments and the support the team has received since.

“As we could see by the support by the Australian community, it seems like he’s the only one that’s got that opinion,” she said.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have the support not only of the Matildas, but women’s sport in general, I think it has united us the last 24 hours which is amazing.

“I’m really pleased to see Leisel Jones who works for Triple M come out as well in support and it meant a lot to us.”

Garriock also provided an update on when the new permanent Matildas coach will be announced.

“I will say that we will have a coach in place by the middle of the year,” she said.

“It has taken so long because after the Olympics, many of the top coaches were on contract and therefore we didn’t want to settle as an organisation.

“We wanted to be patient and consulted the players and explained to them we would like to put an interim coach in and therefore Tom Sermanni, our most decorated coach both here in Australia and globally has held the fort and done a great job.”

Garriock said despite long wait to fulfil the role, there would still be enough time for the incoming coach to make their impact on the squad.

“We’re working behind the scenes at the moment and it does leave enough time, you’ve got five windows before the Asian Cup starts,” she said.

“That will give the new coach ample opportunity to see players but currently we’re working as an organisation behind the scenes.”

The Gold Coast is set to host six matches throughout the Asian Cup, with a group stage game involving the Matildas on Thursday March 5, 2026, the marquee fixture.

“We want people to come to the Gold Coast, we want them to come and watch the world class football that will be on display,” Mr Mander said.

“We want them to stay and enjoy the beaches of the Gold Coast and all the surrounds here.

“It will be an injection of about 10 million dollars into our local economy - something that is well welcomed.”