Former AFL player accused of ‘sustained’ affairs with interns, empty promises of job leads

A social media gossip site has accused a former AFL player of having “sustained, deliberate affairs” while luring young interns with empty promises of “job leads and media connections.”

A former AFL player, and “golden boy” of having “sustained, deliberate affairs” while luring young interns with promises of job leads. Picture: Getty Images

A social media gossip site has accused a former AFL player, and “golden boy” of having “sustained, deliberate affairs” while luring young interns with empty promises of “job leads and media connections.”

The allegations, made on an Instagram page with more than 20,000 followers, did not name the figure but claimed they were due to host a major televised event.

But a related thread on a separate page lit up with the name of a well-known personality.

The post on the Instagram page said: “To the Australian public, he’s the golden boy, charming, articulate, progressive.

“They’re the picture perfect couple on social media. But those of us in the industry, we know what’s actually happening.”

“He’s been cheating on her for years. Sustained, deliberate affairs,” the page claimed.

“Young women, often interns, assistants, early career journalists/community figures are drawn in with the promises of mentorship, job leads, and media connections.

“He knows exactly how to make them feel seen, special, like, they’re getting a shortcut to the spotlight, until they realise what he actually wants.

The alleged serial cheater makes young staff “feel seen, special”, according to the gossip site.

“He’s also not discreet.”

It alleged the figure has a “past sex and drug addiction.”

But the site added: “There are people who have seen him in recent months, spiralling, partying, using, and texting women he met when they were barely out of high school...”

The site said some of those text messages harked back to the figure’s “AFL days,” adding: “Nothing’s ever really stopped. He’s just gotten better at hiding it by blocking several women.

“Once the damage is done, the worst part, the women he’s hurt, especially the ones just starting out, are terrified to speak. We’ve seen what happens to women who try to expose powerful men in this industry.

“Careers get quietly iced out. Doors stop opening. So they stay quiet while he keeps getting rewarded and playing the role of the progressive leader.

“He’s not who he pretends to be, and she, his partner, has decided it’s easier to keep up the image, despite being told/ asked for help by multiple young girls.

“But for those who have seen the damage up close, it’s infuriating. He’s not just a cheater. He’s a manipulator, and sooner or later, that mask is going to crack, no matter how big the stage he’s standing on.”