Outspoken former AFL star Mitch Brown has called out Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick for his “boys will be boys” comment.
Brown accused the coach of excusatory language as he dismissed a huge melee sparked by his player Ben Long.
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There was a huge coming together at halftime as Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard tried to attack Long after the Suns forward caught him with a sucker-elbow.
Hardwick put the brawl down to the physical nature of the game, but Brown was not happy with his comments.
“Oh, just a melee it’s hard to see isn’t it, players everywhere,” said Hardwick in his post-match press conference.
“So it is what it is. You know the game’s a pretty important game for both sides, physical game so at the end of the day, boys will be boys.”
That last remark riled up Brown, who became the AFL’s first openly bisexual player last year.
He called out Hardwick in an Instagram video, suggesting the comment was harmful before linking it to violence against women and children in Australia.
“So ah, yes the old boys will be boys comment,” began Brown.
“Excusatory language for male behaviour, I think it’s you know, you may call it really small and unintentional but this type of stuff is harmful.
“Um, we got men killing women and children on a weekly basis here in Australia, and this is a f*****g issue.
“And casual language like this from our leaders, I think we need to expect more.”
The caption of the video read: “I have been in my fair share of sporting melees, but in a world where rates of men’s violence are only increasing, this kind of excusing language and approach isn’t good enough.”
Brown’s rebuttal has caused a stir with many AFL fans disagreeing with his view.
“mate you are genuinely clutching at straws here,” read an Instagram comment from user @mcknzmrgn.
“Are you kidding me??? Didn’t you break a kids jaw behind the play at east Fremantle oval??” said another user, @michael.mariot.
“Are you linking a football melee (not one punch thrown) to men killing women ???” wrote @j.goss90.
However some commended Brown and backed up what he said.
“All the bros in here having a sook about ‘aw it’s such a small thing’ not being aware of this stuff compounding and building the culture that stems into everyday lives.
“Lads how do you propose changing the culture if not steps like this?” wrote @dalenapier.
“Oh I agree @mitchbrownie and sadly it’s why our men’s AFL game has so far to come,” said user @studiokreat.
Originally published as Mitch Brown directs X-rated rant at AFL coach over four-word remark