Marty Sheargold’s Matildas comments earned him the axe – is sexism finally being called out? | Emily Olle

Marty Sheargold’s unfunny drivel about the Matildas has earned him the axe – this is what that actually means for discussion around women’s sport, writes Emily Olle.

• Olympian’s takedown of ‘sexist’ radio host

As OK GO once sang, Here It Goes Again.

In this instance, ‘it’ is public discourse around misogyny, and ‘again’ is another dusty older fella jumping on the radio sh**canning women’s sport.

But this time, it appears the lack-of-accountability treadmill (bear with this analogy here, it’s a good music video) seems to have finally hit STOP.

Triple M host Marty Sheargold came under fire this week after voicing his lack of interest in the Australian women’s team and women’s sport in general, with the 53-year-old’s remarks labelled “disgusting” and “a f**king joke”.

He said the women’s national team reminded him of “year 10 girls”, then went on to say: “Now I’m sorry to undermine the whole sport, but that’s what I think of it so you can stick it up your arse.”

In a ‘heartfelt’ apology-non-apology, Sheargold said: “Any comedy, including mine, can miss the mark sometimes, and I can see why people may have taken offence to my comments regarding the Matildas.”

By Wednesday evening, after a powerful statement from Football Australia, a tsunami of social media backlash and strong responses from Aussie sporting heroes, including swimming legend Libby Trickett, Sheargold “parted ways” with Triple M.

This shouldn’t be shocking – but it is. Because two years ago, those comments would’ve been met with a slap on the wrist.

I worked alongside the Adelaide Crows’ AFLW team for two seasons. I promise you, you’ve never seen anyone train as hard, or with more passion, than those women.

You’ve also never seen so much vitriol, hatred or vicious misogyny levelled at a group of people simply doing their jobs.

This is the first time in my memory that sexism against women’s sport has been met with true, proper, swift action.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a long way to go.

Olympic legend Cate Campbell put it well when discussing the backlash: “Where are the men?”

There were two co-hosts – Troy Ellis and Will Ralston – cackling away at Sheargold’s comments, and a room full of executives, producers, and listeners who believed that joke was fine.

It took Rosie Malone, an Olympian in her own right, to call him out.

When I think of people from whom I’d like to hear their opinions about women’s sport, I definitely think of *checks notes* this guy. Picture: Supplied/Triple M

There’ll be plenty who’ll cry mountains and molehills and many will rally behind Sheargold.

Because not to do so would be to admit that their own jokes – just made around a barbecue, instead of on national broadcast radio – are unacceptable.

Sheargold could even pivot into the ol’ faithful and, in coming days, blame “cancel culture” and the “woke brigade” rather than admitting his comedic prowess is perhaps not particularly attuned.

But freedom of speech goes both ways – and I have the freedom to call Sheargold an unfunny loser whose last gasp of relevance was snuffed out by his own sexist comments.

When you choose to make a public statement about an issue, you also choose the repercussions – be it from your organisation, the general public or even your mates.

If you don’t like the consequences, then it could be time to question why those views could be upsetting to those who respond.

Female athletes will be the first to tell you they relish valid, constructive criticism and are constantly looking to improve their game. But that’s not what this is.

When I was just 15, about the same age as Marty’s own daughter, I stood in a group of adults as one dad – balding, sweaty, the closest thing to playing sport in his prior three decades was picking up a TV remote – made comments pretty similar to Sheargold’s.

I wasn’t even good at soccer. But I can tell you how it made me feel to have a grown man devalue something I loved.

Matilda-mania took Australia by storm during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Picture: Alison Wynd

In 2019, I took my mother to the historic AFLW Grand Final at Adelaide Oval, where 53,000 fans packed the stands. As the side ran out onto the field, I turned to find my mum with tears welling in her eyes.

Women’s sport isn’t just for little girls to aspire to. It’s for the big ones too.

If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. Hell, you can even find it boring or uninteresting! That’s fine. It isn’t hurting you.

In fact, with The Matildas found to accumulate media value of AU$2.78 billion, and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup generating AU$1.32 billion in economic impact for the country, I’d argue it’s doing quite the opposite.

If you feel the need to make yourself feel like a big man by punching down at female athletes, the message is now getting clearer – not everyone’s going to listen.

Actually, for Marty’s near future, turns out no-one will be listening at all.

Originally published as Marty Sheargold’s Matildas comments earned him the axe – is sexism finally being called out? | Emily Olle