Brian Taylor clips Tom Browne for wanting to be first all the time

AFL great turned commentator Brian Taylor has clipped a reporter over his “insatiable thirst to be first” mindset for stories.

Brian Taylor and Tom Browne get heated

Brian Taylor put Channel 7 reporter Tom Browne on the backfoot after the pair spoke about the reporting surrounding Essendon player Conor McKenna’s positive coronavirus test.

McKenna returned a positive test last Saturday which saw the AFL step in and delayed the Bombers’ game against Melbourne which was due to be played last Sunday.

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News of the positive test sent AFL media into meltdown with reports the positive test could see the Bombers side decimated with multiple players to be sent for quarantine.

On Friday night Taylor and Browne went head-to-head surrounding the reporting of McKenna’s result which has since been clouded after he returned negative results in the days after.

“Some Essendon fans in particular seem frustrated that the media has reported these inconsistent tests,” Browne said on Seven’s AFL coverage.

“All the tests reported throughout the week have been accurate. There’s no accuracy issues there, it’s really been a health issue in terms of the inconsistency of the tests.

“In terms of the language of the clubs, they do tell some constructive truth at times, it’s up to journalists to find out the truth. That’s what we have to do.”

Conor McKenna during Essendon training before round 3.

Taylor wasn’t happy with Browne’s take and bit back at the news breaker and his desire to be first instead of always being right.

“I don’t see anything you said there that really matters,” he said in response.

“To me, it’s about the accountability of the media, and not just journalists, but footballers like myself that are in the media.

“How someone can come out last week and say that a handful of players tomorrow are going to be out of the Essendon Football Club when did not happen?

“Where is the accountability for that? We’ve got to be very careful. Players like myself have come out and commented on McKenna as well without really knowing the facts.

“It is best to be right rather than first. I know you have an insatiable thirst to be right, Tom, but you have an even more insatiable thirst to be first.”

ICYMI: @tombrowne7 and @btbriantaylor debate over accountability in AFL media. pic.twitter.com/h9gjmp7pg4

— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 26, 2020

Earlier in the segment the pair discussed the possibility of the AFL Grand Final not being played at the MCG, a claim Taylor rubbished.

“I’m not sure if you’re aware of the $500m deal that’s been done with the government (for) the Grand Final to be there until 2057,” Taylor said.

“You’re kidding.

“Why are you wasting your breath? Why are you wasting your breath telling me and the people out there watching that it could be in Perth, it could be in Adelaide.

“And I’m not being parochial, because I’m a West Australian, I’d love it. It will never be there.”