Eddie McGuire has apologised for his comments made on Triple M where he said he would pay to see Fairfax’s Walkey-winning football journalist Caroline Wilson drowned.
“[I’m] really disappointed that these comments have led to these feelings from people,” the Collingwood president said.
“I apologise and retract them in the spirit of what we’re trying to achieve, which is to look after women and children in our community.”
However the apology came after an initial response from McGuire when he said he “didn’t see it as being in any way shape or form sexist,” and that the comments were “clearly banter.”
Unsurprisingly, there has been plenty of reaction from around the AFL and, indeed, the rest of Australia.
Caroline Wilson
The subject of the disgraceful remarks, Wilson has said she didn’t accept the remarks were “banter.”
“The people listening at the time thought it was okay. I mean, this is… it’s like casual racism,” she said.
“Casual violent language might be meant as a joke but… I wonder how many times we have to draw this line in the sand between this sort of language and what is a joke and what is obviously completely unacceptable.”
Wilson has since penned a powerful article in response to McGuire’s comments.
Gillon McLachlan
The AFL’s CEO issued a statement on Sunday night about McGuire’s comments, saying “Although seeking to be light-hearted, the language and tenor of the wording could be seen to be seen to be supporting violent attitudes or actions against women.”
After being condemned by plenty on social media for having an inadequate response, McLachlan made another announcement in a press conference, saying, “In the past we might have just ignored the comments as part of the culture of footy. Well, it’s not good enough.”
“Words and jokes have incredible power… that we can still argue they were done in jest shows a lack of understanding.”
However, McLachlan didn’t announce any extra sanction on McGuire, saying he thought his apology was “legitimate and acceptable.”
Danny Frawley
Frawley was on-air with McGuire and said he would “make sure she doesn’t [come up]” after being held under water.
The former St Kilda star and Richmond coach and current All Australian selector has since apologised, saying, “A lot of people have been affected by it and none more than Caroline Wilson.”
“I do take it back. It was in jest but when you read it in isolation it doesn’t look good.”
Frawley said he has also contacted Wilson and left “a very apologetic message.”
James Brayshaw
Like Frawley, Bradshaw was a part of the Triple M team, suggesting that money would be “piling up everywhere” if Wilson was to be dragged under water. Brayshaw, the chairman of North Melbourne, is yet to issue a statement.
Social media
Unsurprisingly, social media was awash with condemnation for the comments made by McGuire, Brayshaw and Frawley, and plenty were unhappy with McLaughlan’s press conference.
Nunya
Guest
Eddie's a straight white male so obviously he must be in the wrong! Duh! However, this joke seems to have highlighted the issue of domestic violence against women (even though it had nothing to do with DV)...But here's a fun fact the media never seems to mention, DV doesn't discriminate by gender, at least one in three victims are male!
PGNEWC
Guest
As long as two weeks beardy -- your an optimist ! My money is when it scrolls of the Thread
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Plenty of people making derogatory personal comments about men too. Half the country took off with the Johnny Depp line that Barnaby Joyce looked inbred with a tomato. There's plenty of hate thrown at Mark Robinson and Eddie McGuire, not when he makes this gaffes, just in general. We live in a society where people constantly make derogatory remarks about people because they can. To use that as an example of women being targeted is inaccurate.
Red Dog
Guest
Did you say "Trump Trump"... Good on you ! at least we have that in common .... Go Trump
Bobbo7
Guest
For one it wasn't funny. Typical bogan radio free for all that was neither clever nor amusing. And its not just these comments. Wilson has been called a "black widow", and all sorts. Just googed her and there is a facebook page to get 100k likes to stop her talking football. One meme on there calls her an "ugly mole" and anothers are also derogatory. Plenty of comments on there saying she has no place in football because she is a woman. And those saying no one would moan if it was said about a bloke - the fact is no one says men should be held under water and men are not called black widows etc. Same with Julie Gilliard. Called "barren", the "small breasts, large thighs" liberal party menu, that she should be put in a sack, asked as PM if her partner was gay... the same rubbish that would not be said if she were a man. And for those that still see no issue here... how do you think your daughters perceivce thier place when women who makes a success of themselves are subjected to abuse or taunts that would not be thrown at men in the same position? Wilson can be taken to task on her opinions, as she said herself. But this radio segment was aggressive and demeaning. And its certainly not the first time and the rubbish on facebook just shows how prevelant the issue is.
Kaks
Roar Guru
"Of course, this would never happen as after a few beers & a game of football, we be too happy." In this mad world of ours, i'm glad we can take solace in the simple things in life!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
According to the "victim", when Tony Shaw did it at the exact same time on a rival station.
Bill
Guest
I assume you are a north fan? This woman had a personal agenda to spew lies to get our club to gold coast. Her personal attacks on james brayshaws credibility knows no bounds.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yes because a person is more likely to look for any reason to take offence to a person they already dislike. It sounds like Tony Shaw can make a joke about "violence against women", just Eddie McGuire can't. Goes against the whole crux of the argument by all those outraged that joking about this leads to violence towards women. Since you know, they're only outraged about Eddie's joking.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Rubbish. The perceived victim is not the arbitrator of what is and isn't a joke. If you make something slightly innocuous to a highly sensitive person, and I make something crass to a completely unbothered person how is my comment ok and yours not? Tony Shaw and co's comments on 3AW were almost identical and Wilson has no issue with the contents of their discussion. She has just chosen to take offence at Eddie's suggestion of the same thing for the exact same reasons (because she can be controversial and divisive).
Rabbits
Guest
I'm with you McNaulty. Storm in a tea cup. Eddie will be Eddie. Go the Pies!
Punter
Guest
The deliverer of the joke can affect the way a joke is taken.
Punter
Guest
It stops becoming a joke, when the person who is the butt of the joke, does not take it as a joke. If you and I got together & had a few beers & we joked about silvertails v Westies, but if you felt I went over the top, soon you may find that my jokes were no longer funny, then it ceases to be funny. Of course, this would never happen as after a few beers & a game of football, we be too happy.
rooboy
Guest
You mean "except" don't you, defending the indefensible by illiterately and unconvincingly resorting to the deflection strategy (of claiming a journalist lies).
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well why is it a laughing matter for Tony Shaw to say the same thing? If people are so outraged over this because they think it represents acceptance of violence to women then there should be equal outrage to all that joked about it, not just the least popular. That's where you lose credibility in the eyes of many. Targeting McGuire when he was not the worst and not the only one. His previous comments on other matters are irrelevant if you really care about this matter.
Red Dog
Guest
Now they've actually threatened to drown her ,,,,the drama queen of the year award goes toooooo Daniel Jeffrey
Daniel Jeffrey
Editor
I'm curious, since when did threatening to drown a woman become a laughing matter?
Bill
Guest
Accept when she, you knows, makes up complete lies.
northerner
Guest
People that don't get that we are now in the 21st century and not the middle of the 20th or even the 19th need to have an even longer, harder look at themselves. Geez. I can almost here the thump thump of dinosaurs walking into oblivion.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Hard to cop that when she had no issue with the same comments almost verbatim on 3AW