Dermott Brereton praises Demons star after groping allegation

Dermott Brereton praised a Demons star as a “fantastic man” after a comment posted from his Facebook profile earlier accused the player of groping.

A comment posted from Dermott Brereton’s Facebook profile alleged a Demons player had repeatedly touched a female’s breasts several years ago.

Hawks great Dermott Brereton has praised a Demons premiership star as a “fantastic young man” after a Facebook comment accused the player of groping a schoolgirl.

Following Melbourne’s huge grand final victory on Saturday, a comment posted from Brereton’s profile alleged one player, who the Herald Sun has chosen not to name for legal reasons, had repeatedly touched a female’s breasts several years ago.

“He several times was pretending to lose his balance while on the school bus. Each time he’d fall hands first onto (the girl’s) breasts. And then turn around and laugh to his mates,” the comment read.

The comment added that the “little gobshite” was “lucky” he wasn’t charged, ­before saying “or worse”.

The Herald Sun contacted Mr Brereton on Monday about the comment, which had been taken down from Facebook not long after it was posted.

“The comment was removed from my profile within minutes of being detected,” Mr Brereton said.

“I will say though, (the player) is a fantastic young man and he has my admiration.”

Mr Brereton would not clarify whether he or another person made the comment.

The scathing allegation came in response to online plaudits for the player’s “impressive” media appearances in the aftermath of Melbourne’s drought-breaking premiership win.

The Demons declined to comment last night after they were contacted for their reaction to the comment, and its subsequent removal. Mr Brereton was one of AFL’s greatest players before embarking on a successful career in the media.

Originally published as Dermott Brereton praises Demons star after groping allegation