AFL fans and fellow commentators have leapt to the defence of Abbey Holmes and Kate McCarthy after the Channel 7 pundits both received some shocking online treatment this week. On Thursday it was announced that McCarthy is part of a five-person panel that will decide the Norm Smith medallist as best player in Saturday’s grand final.
McCarthy joins Andrew McLeod, Luke Hodge, Jack Riewoldt and Adam Simpson on the panel to determine the best on ground in the Brisbane and Geelong clash. McLeod and Hodge are both two-time Norm Smith medallists, while Riewoldt is a three-time premiership captain and Simpson is a flag-winning coach.
Kate McCarthy and Abbey Holmes have both received some horrible treatment in recent days. Image: Getty
McCarthy is a former AFLW player with Brisbane, St Kilda and Hawthorn, and made the women’s All-Australian team in 2017. She now holds various media roles with Channel 7, Triple M and AFL.com.au, with one member of the Norm Smith voting panel usually from the media.
McCarthy was caught in a nasty situation on Thursday when some reacted negatively to her inclusion on the panel. But it sparked a groundswell of support towards her as a result.
Kate McCarthy and Abbey Holmes on Channel 7. Image: Getty
Channel 7 colleague Mitch Cleary wrote online: “For those questioning Kate McCarthy’s position, please jog on. An All-Australian as a player and one of footy’s most prominent analysts this year across 7, MMM and the AFL website. Has more than earned her position on MMM’s grand final day call team.”
Peter Ryan of The Age wrote: “Don’t need to justify Kate’s credentials. She is a first choice who knows footy.” While Lauren Wood of The Herald Sun added: “Death, taxtes and some ‘men’ getting triggered by women in footy. Nothing surer. Get ‘em Kate. Bring on a ripper weekend and game.”
Another person wrote: “If you’ve got a problem with Kate McCarthy being on the Norm Smith voting panel you don’t get football. She is an excellent analyst and her output as a special comments caller is prolific. She gets it man. One of the best.”
McCarthy wrote sarcastically: “Lots of people happy with this one. Couldn’t be more proud personally. What an honour.”
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Abbey Holmes savages online troll over Brownlow appearance
Unfortunately McCarthy wasn’t the only female footy pundit receiving some horrible treatment this week. Channel 7 colleague Holmes publicly responded to a comment she received online criticising the fact she was part of the Brownlow Medal coverage.
Holmes has previously defended her decision to return to work quickly after having her first child, and the issue was brought up again on Monday night. Holmes called out an online troll who’d written: “Any chance you could spend a minute or two with your baby you self-centred egotist???”
The former AFLW player fired back: “WTF is wrong with people. Little does this person know my baby was two metres away from me. NOT that I owe anyone an explanation. To all the morons out there who think it’s OK to comment these things on anyone’s post, let alone a new mum … shame on you! You know nothing about our lives. Be better.”
AFL world supports Abbey Holmes and Kate McCarthy
Channel 7 colleague and former AFL player Dale Thomas led the support for Holmes, writing: “It’s been eye-opening seeing comments like this week in, week out-not only to Abs, but to Natasha (his wife) too!
“I have no idea why nasty people think they have a right to comment negatively and question things they clearly have no real gauge or understanding of. We will never beat the trolls, but to fight the good fight, let’s celebrate these incredible women!
“Abbey Holmes, I’m in awe of how you manage to be an incredible mum to Brax – I’m lucky enough to see it up close! How you continue to dominate work at a ridiculously high level while striving to be better, and still have time to be a wife, friend, and role model!”
Matthew Richardson and Abbey Holmes on Channel 7’s coverage of the Brownlow Medal. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Others labelled the criticism of Holmes “sad” and “disgusting”, with her and McCarthy both receiving plenty of praise and support as a result.