AFL boss Gillon McLachlan is keen on a price freeze for tickets. Photo: Andrew Meares
An Open Letter to Gillon McLachlan
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Football League
Dear Mr McLachlan
I write to you as the mother who was with her 18 year old daughter passing through the Hawthorn Junior Football Club luncheon at The Glenferrie Hotel on Friday 25th September. Yes, the one whom MC, Billy Brownless, referred to in a "throw away line" by saying, "here comes the strippers."
Since going public with this abhorrent, most embarrassing confrontation, there has been a groundswell of support on social media, aligned to articles written by journalists from various mediums far and wide. This outrage and support suggests maybe now is an opportune time to address respect for women from those within the AFL community - a good place to start given we, the public, hold these athletes in such high esteem.
This is no longer about Billy Brownless. And as I've chosen to remain anonymous, this is not about me, nor my daughter. This is about how women in Australia regularly face such disrespect in public and are then defensively criticised for not being able to take a joke.
Women can take a joke, when it's a joke. Abusing women either physically or emotionally is not a joke and never will be. Now is the time for an organisation like the AFL to stand up and make a difference. Sadly the AFL Diversity program isn't resonating with those it should. A far greater public forum, worshipped by the target audience however, might just do the trick.
In my opinion, which is echoed by many on social media in the last 24-48 hours, The Footy Show on the Nine Network would be a good place to start. I'm quite certain that as the respectable father of a young daughter yourself, you would prefer a mainstream television program like The Footy Show, to be something you could sit down and watch together, some day.
The Footy Show condones and breeds this toxic behaviour. When it's on a major television network, perhaps the audience then believes this behaviour is acceptable. It must be, right? It's allowed to be broadcast after all. The odd apology dished out the following week for some buffoon's obnoxious, sexist comment the week prior, will do, won't it?
I question whether you, as the CEO of the sporting code which this show promotes, are totally comfortable with the display of thug-like behaviour: demeaning, belittling, condescending and disrespectful acts and comments towards women, from current and former players from the AFL.
I, along with a significant number of Australian women (and men), urge you Mr McLachlan, to use your power as the head of the AFL, to force The Footy Show (AFL) to significantly change its format and script NOW, while this topic is hot, and before another innocent family is subjected to vile behaviour from one of your own.
I'm not talking about a token-female host on occasion, nor am I talking about a female AFL player joining in discussions with the panel (we all know how appalling that was), and scripts don't need to be sent to the Country Women's Association for approval.
Having a sensible woman involved in the script-writing, planning and production would be a significant step in the right direction. If such an amazing appointment were to happen, I hope the Nine Network would promote the hell out of it, because that might mean the program could potentially return to the ratings-winning, logie-winning show it once was.
But enough about The Footy Show….. the best thing that could come from you taking a stand right now, is that the current player lists and former football community, is educated to the point whereby it changes their mind-set; pressing pause in their brain before sexist, sneering comments hit their tongues. Only then, will these men actually understand the impact of their words and actions towards women.
Let's just hope this is in time for you to enjoy watching The Footy Show with your daughter.
Yours sincerely
A Mother and a dedicated football fan.
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