‘These guys live in a bubble’: The AFL’s big blokey problem

EDDIE McGuire’s casually violent comments about journalist Caroline Wilson have many asking why didn’t he get the boot?

Why it’s time to stick the boot into Eddie McGuire. Picture:Wayne Ludbey

EDDIE McGuire’s violent “joke” about sports journalist Caroline Wilson has sparked attacks on the male-dominated culture of AFL.

Prominent women in sport and the media are furious over his remarks about wanting to drown the Fairfax writer, and they’re not letting this one go.

Comment: Eddie McGuire can’t get away with these quips

EDDIE MCGUIRE APOLOGISES FOR HIS REMARKS

ABC TV presenter Tracey Spicer told news.com.au the AFL’s response to the McGuire incident was “pathetic”.

“The heads of the AFL make a big song and dance about involving more women in the game,” she said. “But they stand by when one of this country’s pre-eminent female sports journalists is subjected to the language of violence. The message this sends is that mates will protect each other, to the detriment of anyone deemed outside the circle.

“Eddie McGuire is one of the most powerful people in the game. And he’s a serial offender, when it comes to sexism, racism and homophobia. By refusing to impose some sort of fine or punishment, the AFL is implying that this type of talk is acceptable.

“It sends the message that women are not welcome in men’s sporting circles, as equals. It sends the message that’s it’s OK to joke about drowning women. And it send the message that violence against women is a light-hearted issue, of little consequence.

“The media — in this case, Triple M — should impose a sanction or penalty on Eddie McGuire. Frankly, he should be taken off air. As the national convenor of Women in Media, I find it reprehensible that a female journalist is referred to in this way. It’s no wonder women only make up nine per cent of sports reporters in this country.

“As consumers, we can vote with our feet, ears, eyes, purses and wallets. Don’t go to Collingwood games. Don’t listen to Triple M. Turn off the Millionaire Hot Seat. Boycott anything to do with him.

“Our steering committee at Women in Media plans on approaching board members of both the AFL and Triple M, to take this matter further.

“What sort of message does this send to young female sports fans or survivors of violence?

“It sends the message that women are not welcome in men’s sporting circles, as equals. It sends the message that’s it’s OK to joke about drowning women. And it send the message that violence against women is a light-hearted issue, of little consequence.”

Tracey Spicer has labelled the AFL’s handling of the Eddie McGuire situation as ‘pathetic’. Photo: Adam Ward

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan attacked McGuire’s comments at a press conference on Monday, calling them “disparaging and insulting to a woman who has done so much for our game” and saying the fact they weren’t called out a week earlier was “an indictment on everyone working within football”.

But he said the sport would not be taking further action against McGuire and his co-presenters on Triple M beyond insisting upon the apology they have given.

EDDIE MCGUIRE APOLOGISES FOR HIS REMARKS

Many of the commentators lining up to blast the Collingwood Football Club president say that’s not enough, demanding to see some sort of action from the AFL to censure McGuire.

“The AFL has the power to act but it said this afternoon it is choosing not to,” sports writer Erin Riley, who broke the story on McGuire, told news.com.au. “They’re discussing it but other than that, there haven’t been any serious consequences for the perpetrators.

“I’d like to see a serious commitment in terms of dollars and front line services, and the AFL working with experts in the field to establish a clear set of protocols.”

Twitter has lit up with the hashtag #sackeddie since the incident, calling for McGuire to lose his Magpies presidency, while others said the radio host should be taken off air.

Sports writer Erin Riley, who uncovered the story, said survivors of violence against women deserved real action.

McLachlan said his response reflected the advice of senior female colleagues, but former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally urged women to “tell him what we think”, retweeting dissatisfied comments that called McGuire’s apology “weak”.

Sunday Telegraph sports writer Jessica Halloran told news.com.au: “During the investigation into bullying and harassment in the military, Lieutenant General David Morrison stated: ‘The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.’

“Gil McLachlan is walking past this issue. He has made a strong statement but as for actions? There has been no action from the AFL. There has only been words.

“Why don’t they strip the trio of their AFL media accreditation? Why don’t they compel the club presidents to step aside?

“Order three of the AFL’s most influential men to meet with women who have survived violent situations and truly understand this issue — these guys live in a bubble.”

McGuire’s shocking comments come just days after the AFL committed to working with campaign group Our Watch to end violence against women before it starts.

The AFL also launched a women’s league and McLachlan said there had been a shift in attitudes about violence towards women within footy clubs.

So, the AFL have thrown some words around & ultimately done nothing. All words. No action. Teflon Eddie rolls on. What is it going to take?

— Jessica Halloran (@JessiHalloran) June 20, 2016

No, Gillon McLachlan. That apology from McGuire was not acceptable - he sought to blame Wilson for his behaviour.

— Kristina Keneally (@KKeneally) June 20, 2016

Is it appropriate for McGuire to keep Australian order AM after racist comment, now inciting violence against women? https://t.co/tFzkbQT71k

— Jacquelin Magnay (@jacquelinmagnay) June 19, 2016

“We’re going to have our lumps and bumps, but we’ve had significant culture change across our game in the last few years and I certainly feel we are winning in that battle,” he said.

Ms Riley agreed that Our Watch was important because it focused on how violent speech can contribute to a culture that normalises aggressive and demeaning behaviour towards women.

But she also criticised both the AFL and the media, saying sport often “acts as a lens for our society” and she didn’t think the Triple M conversation would have taken place if there had been a woman on the show, so more diverse employment was also important.

Many other women spoke out today, including Kiis 101.1 host Meshel Laurie, who said McGuire “should not be allowed to broadcast”.

“This is a man who cannot speak without spreading hate and now encouraging violence against women,” Laurie said.

Network Ten presenter Jessica Rowe launched a scathing attack on McGuire.

Jessica Rowe also launched an extraordinary attack on McGuire on Studio 10. She has had run-ins with him in the past, after he allegedly said: “When do you want to bone her?” in relation to her firing from Channel Nine.

She attacked him, North Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw (who was involved in last weekend’s incident in Melbourne) and the AFL in a blistering spray.

“This is a man who has a track record, who has said inappropriate things about me, which he has denied saying. He’s also said inappropriate things about Adam Goodes, and now he is with a bunch of other boofy blokes making light of holding a woman underwater,” Rowe said.

“Yes, it was a joke, but there’s nothing funny about that. It is time that people call him out.

“I think the AFL are absolutely gutless if they in fact say they are wanting to see more women in the AFL. They’ve just launched new women’s AFL teams and these comments came during a week when there was a special White Ribbon game played (between the Swans and Giants to highlight the need to end violence against women).

“The AFL needs to pull him into line, as well as James Brayshaw. Those two are CEOs of football clubs, if we think this is appropriate behaviour, heaven help us.”

The woman at the centre of the storm, Ms Wilson, also spoke out in The Age, writing: “To let his so-called jokey banter get through without trying to explain why language like McGuire’s is so wrong would be letting down true victims of violence; although not for one minute am I attempting to compare my treatment to theirs.”

But she said the fact the attack had not vanished without a trace was a sign “the wider football community has clearly started to change.”

The AFL told news.com.au it had no further comment beyond McLachlan’s statement earlier today.

While the issue does not look set to disappear for the sport, it is not just McGuire’s or AFL’s problem.

It is one the whole of Australia needs to face up to if anything is to change.