Joel Creasey defends Barry Hall as Lauren Brant also backs him
JOEL Creasey and Barry Hall’s partner Lauren Brant have come to the defence of the disgraced former AFL star who was sacked from Triple M for making a vulgar comment on air.
Logies
Don't miss out on the headlines from Logies. Followed categories will be added to My News.
JOEL Creasey has come to the defence of Barry Hall who was sacked from Triple M last week for making a vulgar comment on air.
Creasey and Hall formed an unlikely bond while in the South African jungle on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.
The former AFL star Barry Hall has apologised and pleaded for forgiveness over vile comments he made on radio.
The AFL Hall of Famer was heavily criticised for vulgar remarks he made about the heavily pregnant wife of former St Kilda star Leigh Montagna.
The AFL has distanced itself from Hall and cancelled his media accreditation after the footy great was sacked by Triple M for the comments made on radio on Friday night.
“I think he’s a divine man, he wouldn’t have meant it like that,” Creasey said.
“He’s got a new baby, it was a bad joke. But Barry Hall isn’t known for his jokability. I don’t know whether he should have been fired because he truly is a lovely, accepting man.
“I did cringe when I heard it and I’ve made plenty of cringe jokes.”
Creasey’s comments come after his partner Lauren Brant also took to her Instagram to defend him for his mistake.
MORE: See the full list of Logies winners
MORE: Bert Newton defends controversial comments
MORE: MAFS stars go wild inside the Logies venue
MORE: Joel Creasey’s fling with AFL player
In a lengthy, emotional post Brant told followers that he was caught up in a “silly conversation” which he is sorry for.
“My usual approach towards media attention is to keep quite, however I cannot do that this time round, because what is happening to my family is not ok,” she said.
“Barry was involved in a silly conversation on air where he made a stupid comment.
Although it was completely wrong, it was not intended to be a malicious statement and there was absolutely no thought or substance behind it. He fully admits that it was unacceptable, completely regrets it and has done his best to apologise for the offence he has caused.”
Brant then went on to say that Hall was not an example of what is wrong with mens’ attitudes towards women in Australia.
She also revealed that she and their son had copped abuse since the comments were made on-air and Hall was sacked during the game.
She also told of how Hall had made her feel “safe to talk and how he had “genuine respect” for her.
OPINION: Crude jokes that sucked the air from the Logies
SHOCK: Hughesy roasts the Stefanovics in Logies opener
MORE: 60 Minutes gets shock Logie gong
PICTURE SPECIAL: Best and worst dressed at the Logies
“What I cannot accept, is that he as a person is now being held as an example of what is wrong with this country in terms of its attitude towards women,” she said.
“He has lost his job because of it, our son and myself are being attacked (which is a whole other conversation, because how is verbally abusing a woman and innocent child an accepted response to someone being accused of being disrespectful to women?) and is getting labelled as something he is not.
“This is why I have to speak up. I have been in situations in this very country where I was the victim to sexual inequality and derogatoriness and was too scared to stand up for myself in fear of being viewed as the villain. Guess what? I was viewed as that anyway so really, I never stood a chance and it sent me into a depressed state for a long time.
Because of it, when I met Barry, I had very suppressed demons inside of me and he was the only man I have ever come across who made me feel safe to talk, through his genuine respect for me. He gave me strength to love & believe in myself and has supported me to become my best version. Every single day he makes me feel loved and admired and on top of it all, he is the absolute best Dad in the world to our son.”
Brant added: “We have sat down and had a very long and honest conversation about how his actions have warranted a national response. We both know there is a problem and understand that people are trying to change it but solely vilifying Barry for this incident is not going to fix it. You have the wrong man for that.”
She then called for everyone to focus on the positive conversation that can come from the incident.
“Everyone is very sensitive right now as no one wants to be viewed as doing something wrong in a time when we are trying to make things right, but we mustn’t let that blur the goal of making positive change by wasting time accusing individuals. Look what’s happened in this case, more people are focused on trolling Barry, myself and even our son than actually making a shift. The only positive to this all is that it has started a conversation on an important topic, which we will both be a part of, but I will not accept him being labelled as the problem,” she said.
“Barry is a beautiful man, the kindest I have ever met. He is honest, humble and fair. After suffering himself, he has become an advocate for people openly talking about their feelings without being scared to be viewed as ‘weak.’ He is hurting because of what the country is saying about him and how it is affecting our family.
“I love him and am eternally thankful to him for making me a confident women and empowering me and will alway be by his side & I also want to thank all of those who have been sending messages of support, they have not gone unnoticed.”
At the Logies, Eddie McGuire declined to weigh into the issue, saying “no comment”.
Former Hawks star Josh Gibson said he thought it was an inappropriate discussion.
Hall was sacked from Triple M while on-air on Friday after making a comment while discussing Leigh Montagna’s wife being nine months pregnant.
Gibson, on the Logies red carpet, said: “It’s not a conversation for radio but I’m not going to get involved in that.”
Why Deb Mailman never tried to crack Hollywood
She has won Logies and starred in beloved Aussie dramas. Now, Deborah Mailman opens up about why she didn’t seek international fame.
Weird detail in Aussie actor’s drink-driving
Australian actor and Hollywood star Simon Baker has escaped a conviction for drink-driving, with a court being told of a weird detail when police pulled him over.