Sport Confidential is your wrap of all the footy gossip and banter.
Tony Jones has broken his silence on the Novak Djokovic incident, saying it went on for too long and it’s “ancient history”.
The Channel 9 sport newsreader has opened up on the eve of his 40th anniversary with the network, to be celebrated on Tuesday.
Last year during the Australian Open, Jones caused a global outcry after an attempt at humour mocking Djokovic during a news bulletin fell flat.
“I’m not going to entertain anyone who wants to talk about it because quite frankly it went on for far too long for what it was,’’ Jones told Sport Confidential.
“I’m not going to reopen it because it’s ancient history. I was there doing the tennis this year and it’s not going to affect me.”
It’s also 10 years since another notable incident when Jones attempted to plant a kiss on Bec Judd’s cheek during her final night on the news, and she turned away.
“I say when my time in television comes to an end I’ll be remembered for two things — stuffing up a handball (while on the Sunday Footy Show) and trying to plant one on Bec Judd. In both instances I missed the target.
“The look of repulsion on Bec’s face, I knew I was in for an uncomfortable couple of weeks but I didn’t expect it to be an uncomfortable couple of years.”
Jones, who started at Nine as a 22-year-old, says he is proud of the milestone.
“It’s a long time in anyone’s language and I look around the newsroom and with some people I’ve actually been here longer than they’ve been alive,’’ he said.
“I love telling stories and finding stories. Presenting is five percent of your day, I’ve always considered myself a reporter who presents. I’ve never been one of those that just comes in and slips their toes under the desk.”
Jones will be honoured at two events next week, one in the newsroom and one with friends, colleagues and acquaintances.
“Everyone is welcome, I don’t hold grudges,’’ Jones said.
‘Don’t get all of it’: Prize claims rock Sunday Footy Show
Nathan Brown has responded to allegations the Sunday Footy Show is short-changing its player guests with prize packs.
Brown, a panellist on the Channel 9 show, was quizzed about the development — that some footballers were reportedly not getting the full package — aired on the $100k Sports podcast.
He told the Herald Sun: “We have the best prize pack on TV on the Sunday Footy Show and I do a great live read to match it. As you can imagine I don’t have time to get to the post office prior to the Sunday afternoon game on Triple M, as it’s a tight squeeze to make sure Daisy (Dale Thomas) doesn’t host. From my knowledge no one has missed out, there have been a few bounce backs and return to senders but I have my best people on it moving forward.”
Dale Thomas brought it to Brown’s attention and suggested it might be a big story brewing.
But the show’s host Tony Jones was unaware of any issues.
The podcasters said: “The famous Channel 9 prize package … it’s a massive prize pack. Apparently you don’t get all of it. I got it confirmed this week from another player who was on the Sunday Footy Show in the last two years, didn’t receive it all.”
Sounds like the footy guests won’t be launching an Agatha Christie type investigation into the whereabouts of their Aquila shoes any time soon.
‘Enough’s enough’: Hutchy tees off over Melb’s escalating pub wars
Craig Hutchison has teed off on Melbourne’s latest crime wave targeting bars and restaurants, saying that as citizens and a community we should “rise up and not stand for it”.
The SEN boss said he’s outraged by the spate of attacks on establishments, the latest of which have included South Yarra institution France-Soir and shots fired at The Emerson.
“I am absolutely outraged and so frustrated at the attacks on Melbourne bars and restaurants that’s going on by crime gangs at the moment,’’ Hutchison said.
“When did we get less combative on behalf of our city? When did we not, as Melburnians, say enough’s enough on this stuff?
“As a Melbourne community and as Melbourne citizens we need to rise up and not stand for it. And to rally against it.”
Hutchinson continued saying: “And how accepting or desensitised we are to it as a media and as a community. This is happening blocks from our own homes … we’re getting standover tactics on bars and restaurants who are being asked to fund the dark market of liquor — buy things from a different distributor or supplier they don’t want and if they don’t do it they’re threatened that their bar or restaurant they’ve worked so hard for will be burnt down.
“Our city is built upon entertainment, it is a sports and entertainment capital of this part of the world. Its bar culture, its restaurants are the envy of the rest of the country … and we are a place where people connect, get together, share company, share a meal, enjoy each others presence. It’s the soul of who our city is. The fact that very soul is getting attacked by crime figures who largely hire young people to … is absolutely outrageous.”
Hutchison said police do a wonderful job but need more support.
In a passionate 10-minute plea on the situation with his Sounding Board co-host Damian Barrett, Hutchison said the government needed to be tougher.
“I don’t know the answer but I just don’t want to stand for it,’’ he said.
“It should be absolutely smashed by the courts and the police system that if you go near one of our bars, restaurants or businesses there should be no respite on that.
“Seeing suburban pubs and restaurants in the heart of where people live and breathe and raise their kids and walk them to school … we’re not computing this has moved to the absolute streets we live in.
“It’s hard to comprehend. I’m disappointed for our city we need to go through this.”
WAG shares tribute after ‘wild journey’
The woman dubbed ‘footy’s hottest WAG’ says she’ll forever be her partner’s no.1 fan after he announced his retirement on Monday.
Model and influencer Chelsea Becirevic paid tribute to ruckman Ivan Soldo, the 2019 Tiger premiership player who joined Port Adelaide in 2024, who bows out with 66 games.
“Truly end of an era,’’ Becirevic wrote on social media, sharing some of her favourite images of the couple.
“Forever your #1 fan.”
She added: “Sooo proud of you … excited for this next chapter. It’s been a wild journey, but such a privilege to watch you over the years.”
Soldo, 30, who has struggled with a knee injury, said it wasn’t how he wanted to finish but he paid tribute to the Tigers where he spent almost 10 years and thanked the Port players and staff.
Becirevic rose to prominence after being discovered by the Herald Sun at the Tigers Best and Fairest in 2023.
She made headlines after moving to Adelaide and declaring she couldn’t bear to live there any longer.
She went to Dubai for a short time and this year moved back to Melbourne.
The couple last year founded a clothing label called Im Taken.
Roos WAGs erupt over ARC ‘robbery’
The North Melbourne WAGs were filthy after the ARC robbed the club in a close call on Sunday.
It looked like an obvious touch by Griffin Logue but there was no overturn upon review.
North ended up losing a close one to GWS by seven points.
On Dan Gorringe’s post, explaining the incident, he captioned it: NORTH FANS FILTHY.
Chloe Pink, wife of defender Toby Pink, commented: “Fillllllllthy” while Maddison Xerri, wife of Tristan Xerri, commented: “I’m so filthy Dan”.
Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan joined in the criticism too.
“How can ARC not see that was touched,’’ he posted to X.
Gorringe was still mad about it on Monday, commenting on North Melbourne’s post: “Robbery. We ride at dawn.”
The Triple M Footy account also chimed in: “OUT: Griffin Logue (broken finger).”
Pies next gen
Collingwood’s next generation is getting a taste of the big time early.
The sons of star players Steele Sidebottom, Jeremy Howe and Scott Pendlebury sat together to watch their dads play on Anzac Day at the MCG before they joined the team song after.
Steele’s wife Alisha posted a sweet picture of the trio with the caption “Next Gen”.
Pendlebury reposted the picture of Ned, Zander and Jax with the comment: “Sidebottom Jnr, How Jnr, Pendles Jnr watch out.”
Perryman’s Pre-engagement jitters
Collingwood star Harry Perryman admits he was nervous asking his netball star partner, Jamie-Lee Price, to marry him.
The couple was at home last week around a campfire in the background when he pulled the diamond ring out.
“The Mrs is pretty happy,’’ he told Triple M’s Sunday Rub.
“I didn’t think I’d get nervous but when I had the ring in my pocket I’m like shit. I’m like bloody hell I’m locked in here. It was good to get it out of the way.”