‘Thought she was black’: AFLW comment explained

A comment during a footy match on Saturday stopped some in their tracks and the truth behind it has now been revealed.

A comment during Saturday’s AFLW clash between Essendon and Fremantle that stopped some footy fans in their tracks has now been explained.

The Dockers marched to a 10.4 (64) to 3.3 (21) thrashing of the Bombers at Windy Hill in Melbourne in both teams’ opening match of the new AFLW season.

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But a comment during the third quarter of the match sparked a major reaction on social media.

It all began when Dockers veteran Ashleigh Brazill took possession at halfback and accelerated away from her opponent before kicking the ball down the sideline and narrowly out on the full.

The moment of athleticism as Brazill powered away with ease led the commentators to discuss the 34-year-old, who has had an exceptional two-sport career.

Ashleigh Brazill (left) and Gabby O'Sullivan celebrate Fremantle’s win over Essendon on Saturday. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Brazill, who is from Sydney, began her career in Super Netball, playing for the NSW Swifts and West Coast Fever as well as the Australian national team.

Drafted by AFLW side Collingwood in 2017, Brazill began her footy career the following season and has made 33 appearances in the competition, while still juggling her netball commitments.

Brazill won netball gold with the Diamonds at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2023 Netball World Cup.

“She’s 34 years of age, Ash Brazill,” Kelli Underwood said during Saturday’s game, as you can see in the video player above.

“This is her 33rd AFLW career game and of course played (netball) for Australia.

“She was All-Australian back in 2019 and she’s still got that speed.”

Commentating alongside Underwood was Kirby Bentley, who also played netball and in the AFLW with the Dockers and Carlton during her sporting career.

Bentley was an inaugural Fremantle player. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media)

Before injuries interrupted her career. Photo: Michael Klein

“I’ve known ‘Braz’ since she was 16,” Bentley replied. “She was a rookie when I was playing national league netball with her.

“It’s insane. It’s great to see her out here still with the amount of intensity that we put our bodies under.”

Underwood then asked if Brazill’s athleticism was noticeable from a young age.

“As a 16-year-old did you pick it? Or has she been a sort of late-bloomer and developer to both sports,” she asked.

Bentley replied: “Oh she was a freak athlete. Her vertical (leap) was second to none. I thought she was black.”

Bentley in her Carlton days and Brazill in action on Saturday. Photos: News Corp/Getty Images

It was that last comment that caused many watching to pause and wonder if they had heard Bentley correctly.

Underwood and Bentley both laughed before the latter added: “That’s a compliment.”

It was seemingly a nod towards a belief that black athletes have certain athletic advantages and sparked a strong reaction from people on social media, many who initially suggested it may have been a racist comment.

“Someone is getting sacked in the morning,” was one comment on X.

“It got played at least five times so I could be sure! WTF,” wrote another.

A third stated: “You can’t say that stuff on public broadcast. Let’s see if Fox Footy have the credibility to stand this commentator down.”

What they all failed to realise is that Bentley is Aboriginal, a proud Noongar woman from Wurundjeri Country in southwest Western Australia.

Bentley competing on Australian Survivor. Photo: Twitter

A number of the people commenting and replying to others quickly made that clear.

“Kirby is a Blak woman, there’s nothing wrong here,” wrote one on X.

“Who is the commentator? Doubt we will see or hear them again,” wrote another before the reply came, “Indigenous woman Kirby Bentley”.

Another wrote: “That was former AFLW player Kirby Bentley, who made that comment. She’s black, indigenous and was praising black excellence. Nothing to see here.”

When another suggested it will be interesting to “see the repercussions”, another footy fan responded with: “Won’t be any as the commentator is Aboriginal.”

Bentley, who played 10 matches with the Dockers and Blues before retiring in 2019, has been involved in coaching, commentating and mentoring youngsters since hanging up the boots.

The 38-year-old also competed in the most recent series of Australian Survivor on Network 10.

Originally published as ‘Thought she was black’: AFLW comment explained