AFL 2021: AFLPA boss Paul Marsh attacks veteran journalist over comments about St Kilda players leaving hubs

Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson has doubled-down despite being been slammed over comments about two St Kilda players going home to family and now the player’s union has weighed in.

Seb Ross and Tim Membery at training. Pic: Michael Klein

The AFL player’s union has launched a scathing attack on a veteran journalist labelling comments she made about two St Kilda players leaving interstate hubs to be with family “outdated and ignorant”.

On Monday night Wilson said Saints players and fans had reason to be disappointed with Seb Ross and Tim Membrey after they missed their club’s narrow six-point loss to Adelaide on the weekend.

Ross left to be with his partner, who gave birth to twins about five weeks ago, while Membrey skipped the clash in Cairns as his wife prepares to give birth shortly.

Both players flew home after St Kilda’s defeat to Sydney at the SCG two weekends ago with the full support of the club

Wilson said “there was no medical emergency” with regards to the players’ families, and even suggested senior players had been encouraged the pair to stay with the team.

“It is a very odd situation when you have two leaders of the club, particularly one where the babies were born five or six weeks ago, to leave when this was probably their last shot at making finals,” Wilson said.

“I think supporters and sponsors and members and other teammates would have every right to be a bit disappointed.”

I’m shocked these outdated & ignorant views still exist within the industry. The players have, & will continue to support the industry throughout the uncertainty of COVID, but there are times when family comes first. This should be supported not questioned. https://t.co/Dutc3pb71C

— Paul Marsh (@Marsh_Paul) June 15, 2021

But Wilson found little support with her view slammed by most and the AFL Players Association chief, Paul Marsh, was particularly scathing.

“I’m shocked these outdated & ignorant views still exist within the industry,” he posted on Twitter.

“The players have, & will continue to support the industry throughout the uncertainty of Covid, but there are times when family comes first. This should be supported not questioned.”

Seb and Marnie Ross, with daughter Charlotte and twin sons Vinny and Henley

Former AFL champion Garry Lyon also said Wilson was out of line.

“So, Caro is suggesting she knows better than the Ross family? I would suggest that’s a conversation she would not want to have with Seb Ross’ wife and/or mother or family members that she has in her opinion said there are no medical problems,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast on Tuesday.

“How she can make a judgment on the family situation of a young mother with twins from afar and say, ‘Why didn’t they bow to peer pressure these blokes and stay?’

“I’m almost speechless with this one. To think you can sit there on national television and speak for the family, ‘I must stress there is no medical problem’. Oh really Caro? You stress that do you? You would know, would you?”

But Wilson was unapologetic despite the severe backlash.

“I will not apologise for basically saying what I think is a perfectly reasonable conversation,” she the Don’t Shoot The Messenger podcast on Tuesday.

“They have had so many issues like this, in the view of people at the footy club…I would even question whether Seb Ross will be at the footy club next year.

“I think this is a legitimate story and a legitimate talking point.”