Barry Hall sacked from Triple M radio after ‘inappropriate’ comment

AFL star Barry Hall has issued an apology and revealed exactly what he said on live radio to be sacked on the spot.

SACKED footy commentator Barry Hall has spoken out for the first time about the vile comment on live radio which saw him sacked on the spot.

The AFL great was fired by Triple M on Friday night before the first ball-up of the Geelong-Western Bulldogs thriller.

“Tonight on Triple M Football there were unacceptable and inappropriate comments made by a member of the commentary team,” Triple M head of content Mike Fitzpatrick said in a statement.

“The commentator was removed immediately from the broadcast and an apology was issued on air afterwards. Immediate action was taken with the termination of employment for one team member.”

The former Sydney Swans premiership player disgusted fans with a comment about a former player’s pregnant wife while talking to St Kilda legend Leigh Montagna in the lead-up to the game at Etihad Stadium.

Hall finally had his say on Saturday afternoon, issuing a public apology to Montagna and his wife Erinn.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to apologise for any offence taken from my commentary on Friday night’s Triple M footy coverage,” Hall told The Sunday Telegraph.

“It was a silly thing to say and it is not a reflection of who I am or what my views are.

“I am a proud father and dedicated partner and have nothing but respect for women.

“I apologise to the Montagna family for any upset I have caused them and wish them all the best with the exciting arrival of their baby.

Barry Hall has apologised.

“I also want to thank those for their support and am disappointed that I have been stood down because of this incident.

“Once again, I am sorry, I should not have said such an inappropriate comment on air and hope I can be forgiven and move forward from here.”

The Sunday Telegraph also published Hall’s full Friday night comment.

The comment was regarding a technique used by medical professionals, known as a ‘membrane sweep’, which Montagna’s wife Erinn underwent to induce labour. Hall insinuated the doctor acted in a sexually inappropriate way.

“It’s when the obstetrician just has a little feel and makes sure that you’re starting to dilate and puts a couple fingers up there and checks what’s going on.” Montagna told Triple M before Hall made his remark.

“It’s a procedure they do before birth.”

Hall then responded by saying: “Joey was a bit disturbed because the doctor was a good looking rooster about 40 years of age and then he did the sweep with his fingers and licked his fingers afterwards. That’s disturbing stuff”.

I just heard what Barry Hall said. Wow. I’m speechless. Good on TripleM for sacking him on the spot. There wasn’t really any choice.

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottliebFOX) June 29, 2018

Triple M have sacked Barry Hall. Was filling in on tonight’s match when he made an inappropriate comment in a pre-match chat. Was told not to finish his shift and now has been sacked by the station.

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) June 29, 2018

On the panel with Hall and Montagna was AFL commentator Mark Howard, AFL great Nathan Brown and footy journalist Damien Barrett. At least two of the commentators burst out laughing after Hall’s remark.

The Friday night broadcast was actually Hall’s return to Melbourne radio after being called up by Triple M to fill-in for AFL legend Chris Judd.

The Swans premiership captain was just eight minutes into his return when he delivered the comment that resulted in Triple M terminating his employment.

Hall remained on air alongside the Triple M footy panel for another hour, but his voice was not heard after the 7pm news break.

Montagna did not appear to take offence to Hall’s comment and went on to be the lead commentator during Triple M’s broadcast of the Cats-Bulldogs thriller.

He earlier said he would be prepared to leave Etihad Stadium in the middle of the game if he received a call from his wife to inform him she was going into labour.

Footy commentators and former AFL players on Saturday morning and Friday night publicly declared their support for the decision to terminate Hall on the spot.

Just heard what ex AFL player, Barry Hall said on radio.

What an utterly disgraceful, obscene, inappropriate thing to say at any time, to anyone, about anyone.

AFL can have all Respect Women Matches they want, but they have to realise they have a misogynistic cultural problem.

— Dean Rosario (@DeanRosario) June 29, 2018

Seriously Barry Hall are you kidding me...all you had to do was turn up and talk footy. You made me physically ill and infuriated at the same time...disgusting! #marngrook

— Shelley Ware (@ShelleyWare) June 29, 2018

Being new to working in radio I am always learning. Tonight Barry Hall showed me where the line is .... and it’s about a thousand miles from where Barry was tonight. 😬🤦‍♂️.

— Xavier Ellis (@XaviEllis18) June 29, 2018

Have heard what Barry Hall said and have chosen not to repeat it either on twitter or in our article. I’m sorry but it’s utterly disgusting.

— Matt Thompson (@MattThompson) June 29, 2018

What the hell was Barry Hall thinking with his comments on Triple M tonight? Just bizarre. I can't remember hearing anyone say something like that on air before. It makes #FHRITP look tame. #afl

— Sean Cowan (@Sean_D_Cowan) June 29, 2018

On Barry Hall comments that led to his sacking by Triple M: shocked, disgusted and deeply dismayed. https://t.co/bsqyBj8zN1

— Sam Lane (@SamJaneLane) June 29, 2018

Excruciating from Barry Hall. Made even worse by background chortle. Fully appreciate my generation not cut out for the blokey and moronic attempt at humour that appears to be MMM..... haven’t missed much have I? #manup or #STFU #RoleModelRadio

— Robert Shaw (@shawry_analyst) June 29, 2018

Channel 10 star and panellist on The Project Meshel Laurie also launched a passionate plea on social media for Australia to try and learn from Hall’s comment.

Barry Hall situation is just a public example of a man making a rape joke with no idea why he shouldn’t. Instead of vilifying him, can we PLEASE use this as an opportunity to talk about WHY it’s offensive. Please @triplemfooty have the convo with listeners!

— Meshel Laurie (@Meshel_Laurie) June 30, 2018

Could B a landmark moment for the safety of Australian women. @TripleMMelb you’ve taken a stand, thank you, but please go further. Talk to your listeners. We all know Barry is not a bad man, and not the only man who doesn’t get the problem with the joke. Let’s talk it through.

— Meshel Laurie (@Meshel_Laurie) June 30, 2018

Otherwise it’s just another case of half the country labelling him a “pig” and the other half saying it’s “politically correct bullshit” and “you can’t even have a joke any more”. Neither is true and we get nowhere. Nothing gained. Back to square one.

— Meshel Laurie (@Meshel_Laurie) June 30, 2018

Hall’s broadcasting future remains uncertain.

Despite a stellar career as a footballer, Hall was known for his on field antics and suspensions. The most notorious being his 2008, seven-game suspension for punching West Coast’s Brent Staker.

Hall used his Hall of Fame induction speech to talk of the incident, saying it “bothers him” and the footage is not something he wants his son to see.

Hall was also charged with striking Matt Maguire of St Kilda in 2005, a week leading up to the Grand Final. Hall’s team, the Sydney Swans, went on to beat the West Coast Eagles in the premiership.