Channel 7 star Abbey Holmes’ defiant act in wake of AFL kiss scandal

Channel 7 presenter Abbey Holmes has delivered a defiant message after finding herself in the spotlight over a post-game moment.

Channel 7 presenter Abbey Holmes heard all the noise, and on Friday night, she delivered a middle finger to her detractors.

The former Adelaide Crows AFLW star turned presentater found herself in the middle of an AFL storm following a round 13 post-game embrace with Lachie Neale.

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Holmes interviewed Neale after the Friday night game on June 7 before their chat ended with both of them leaning in for a peck on the cheek.

While the pair are friends off the field, the seemingly innocent exchange appeared to rub some commentators the wrong way.

It ultimately saw both Holmes and Neale address the backlash to the moment before Holmes went a step further following Carlton’s win over Geelong.

As she stood on the MCG talking with Blues ruckman Tom De Koning, the duo spoke about the young star’s form before they embraced with a kiss on the cheek and a big hug.

The act was a defiant message to any detractors following the absurd storm that ensued after her moment with Neale.

Abbey Holmes and TDK embrace post game

Fans watching on loved the display from Holmes

Ralph Horowitz wrote: “OMG Tom De Koning gave Abbey Holmes a peck on the cheek as a farewell after the post game interview!!! Thoughts and prayers with Kate Halfpenny.”

Another user wrote: “Abbey Holmes single-handedly bringing back the kiss hello.”

A third added: “Abbey Holmes dishing out the don’t argues to the feminists.”

Holmes addressed the storm in a teacup, which was kicked off by social commentator Kate Halfpenny who wrote a provocative column on the moment for The Age.

However, the Channel 7 presenter declared it a “non-story” and a simple interaction between friends.

Holmes was annoyed her professionalism was questioned. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Neale said he was good friends with Holmes. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“The fact that this article came out a week after the fact, after that interview happened, shows how much of a non-news story this is,” Holmes told LiSTNR’s Footy Talk.

“It’s really frustrating for me. Lachie is a good friend of mine, so that’s just something that you do — you greet your friends, whether that’s a hug or a kiss on the cheek.

“Kate Halfpenny wrote the article. But does she know my relationship with Lachie? Does she know that he’s a good friend of mine?

“If she had have done her due diligence ahead of writing that article, I think she might feel a little bit differently and might not have actually written it in the first place.

“I don’t want to spend too much time on it because to me it is not a story. And this isn’t the first time that a player who I’ve got a great relationship (with) has given me a hug or given me a kiss.”

Lachie Neale and Abbey Holmes. Photo: Channel 7.

Abbey Holmes said it was total non story. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Holmes revealed Neale’s wife Jules had even messaged to check in on her.

“Jules Neale even sent me a message this morning saying, ‘I hope you’re OK, this is ridiculous’. I’m like, mate, I know Lachie’s a friend of mine.”

Holmes said she was frustrated that her professionalism had been questioned given her work to develop rapport with AFL players.

“The one thing that did upset me was the professionalism aspect of that article,” she said.

“I’ve worked so hard over such a long period of time now to build relationships, to build trust, to build rapport with these players and coaches and make them feel like they are in a really safe space when they’re with me. And that’s what probably upset me the most.

“I don’t want my friends to feel uncomfortable in how they going to greet me or say goodbye to me. That’s not fair. I just feel as though that article was taken out of proportion massively.”

Neale was also keen to pour cold water on the saga on Monday morning.

Speaking on Sunrise during Bank of Queensland’s ‘Vehicle for Kindness’ campaign, Neale said: “I probably don’t want to give much air time to it, to be honest. It is a little bit surprising.”

Host Matt Shirvington asked: “I know her personally as well. She’s just an easy person to relax around, right?”

Neale said: “Absolutely. I’m very good friends with Abbey.

“She’s a great person, she’s built great relationships in the industry and obviously outside of it as well.”