North Melbourne president Sonja Hood reveals vile abuse forced her off social media

Eddie McGuire has slammed social media trolls abusing North Melbourne president Sonja Hood as ‘low rent’ cowards, while Alastair Clarkson has said any concerns about the club’s performance should be directed to him.

North Melbourne president Sonja Hood deleted her X account after copping a tirade of gendered and misogynistic abuse. Picture: Tony Gough

Eddie McGuire and Alastair Clarkson have slammed the treatment of North Melbourne president Dr Sonja Hood, saying the club has got off the canvas because of her leadership.

The support for Hood follows the Kangaroo’s president removing herself from social media following amid an avalanche of “gendered and misogynistic” abuse.

McGuire said Hood had been targeted by “cowards” and “low rent”.

“She’s done a fantastic job and she’s been one of the great people to come into football,’ the Collingwood president told the Herald Sun.

“She can’t get a kick on a Saturday but she’s been able to stabilise the club and sadly people who have these views online are cowards and the worst type of people. For low rent people, that’s all they’ve got.”

Eddie McGuire says Hood has stabilised North Melbourne. Picture: Ian Currie

Clarkson, the North Melbourne coach, backed Hood’s decision to delete her account on X, formerly Twitter.

“This is difficult because it’s a really, really effective communication tool for many, many people when it’s used in the right way,” Clarkson said on Friday.

“Sonja has been able to communicate with so many people using that forum and platform, but unfortunately it’s got some risk attached to it and you do open yourself up to some vitriol from time to time.

Clarkson praised the two women leading North Melbourne’s administration – Hood and chief executive Jen Watt – as he said any blame for the Roos’ poor on-field performance should be directed at him and football boss Todd Viney.

“(Hood) has been terrific for our footy club – her and Jen Watt govern and administer the club superbly,” he said.

“Probably if there’s any criticism of our footy club, it’s that we’re not going too well on the footy field.

“If you want to direct the blame or the attention to anyone, direct it right here, don’t worry about our administration or our chairperson, I’m in charge of our footy program.

“Todd Viney gives me a fair chop-out … if you want to point the finger, point it at us.”

‘Point the finger at us’: North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson. Picture: Darrian Traynor

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody said everyone all had a responsibility to call out harassment.

“From the recent data of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, we know that businesses, organisations, sporting clubs, arts associations all benefit both socially and economically from having diversity in leadership, including women,’’ Dr Cody said.

“It is a great pity that women leaders continue to receive unjustified criticism and harassment when they are doing their job.

“We know the vast majority of fans and supporters of football recognise the value of women in leadership and in the game. Continuing to recognise and call out unjustified criticism, harassment and discriminatory treatment of women is a responsibility of all of us.”

Hood, who regularly interacts with fans and club members on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, was forced to delete her account after copping a torrent of abuse at the weekend.

It was originally thought to have come from North Melbourne supporters angry over the team’s performance, but Hood said it was personal and she wanted to take a stand.

“For the record, the thing that pushed me over the metaphorical Twitter edge was the gendered and misogynistic abuse,’’ Hood told the Herald Sun.

“It was personal and revolting. We can’t pretend it doesn’t happen, I don’t reckon we need to be tough about it either, it’s just horrible.”

Hood said she wanted to take a stand against the abuse. Picture: Tony Gough

Commentator Kane Cornes has previously called out Hood’s posts while sitting with the club’s cheer squad at games, saying they were embarrassing.

Hood said it had nothing to do with that criticism.

“The banter I have with Kane is good fun and good natured,” she said.

“But the stuff I copped on the weekend, which wasn’t related to Kane, was out of line and revolting … and I don’t feel the need to be part of that world.”

While some fans on Twitter have taken aim at Hood, other supporters consider Hood to be a breath of fresh air in the way she has connected and communicated with fans.

Passionate former North Melbourne player and coach and transgender advocate Danielle Laidley said she was “extremely disappointed” to hear that Hood had copped abuse.

“She is one of the most remarkable women that I’ve met in nearly 20 years or more,’’ Laidley said.

“Our football club is led by two strong outstanding people who happen to be women. I don’t know why people get on (X) to be nasty. To hear that, it just leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.”

Danielle Laidley said she was extremely disappointed that Hood had copped abuse. Picture: Michael Klein

While some fans on Twitter have taken aim at Hood, other supporters consider Hood to be a breath of fresh air in the way she has connected and communicated with fans.

Passionate former North Melbourne player and coach and transgender advocate Danielle Laidley said she was “extremely disappointed” to hear that Hood had copped abuse.

“She is one of the most remarkable women that I’ve met in nearly 20 years or more,’’ Laidley said.

“Our football club is led by two strong outstanding people who happen to be women. I don’t know why people get on (X) to be nasty. To hear that, it just leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.”

Hood became North Melbourne president in 2022 and later that year CEO Jennifer Watt was appointed — becoming the AFL’s first female leadership duo.

Hood amassed more than 5,000 followers on X and was a regular user of the platform.

When she was appointed president Hood told the Herald Sun: “Girls can’t aspire to be it if they can’t see it. I was reflecting on that because I did aspire to be on the board, I didn’t aspire to be a president, they saw that in me, I didn’t.

“I’m not frightened of leading. We’re on a journey and we’re heading in the right direction.

“If you think about it, next year (2023) we’ll have 18 senior male coaches and 18 senior coaches of AFLW and that’s 18 heads of football and that’s now a two person role. There’s only ever been one female CEO, there’s lots of opportunities for improvement.”