There was a huge coming together at halftime as Collingwood\u2019s Brayden Maynard tried to attack Long after the Suns forward caught him with a sucker-elbow.<\/p>\n
Hardwick put the brawl down to the physical nature of the game, but Brown was not happy with his comments.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, just a melee it\u2019s hard to see isn\u2019t it, players everywhere,\u201d said Hardwick in his post-match press conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it is what it is. You know the game\u2019s a pretty important game for both sides, physical game so at the end of the day, boys will be boys.\u201d<\/p>\n
That last remark riled up Brown, who became the AFL\u2019s first openly bisexual player last year.<\/p>\n
He called out Hardwick in an Instagram video, suggesting the comment was harmful before linking it to violence against women and children in Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo ah, yes the old boys will be boys comment,\u201d began Brown.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcusatory language for male behaviour, I think it\u2019s you know, you may call it really small and unintentional but this type of stuff is harmful.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, we got men killing women and children on a weekly basis here in Australia, and this is a f*****g issue.<\/p>\n
![\"Outspoken](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/e1777f9c0bb975897e33b6dd2941e63d.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd casual language like this from our leaders, I think we need to expect more.\u201d<\/p>\n
The caption of the video read: \u201cI have been in my fair share of sporting melees, but in a world where rates of men\u2019s violence are only increasing, this kind of excusing language and approach isn\u2019t good enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown\u2019s rebuttal has caused a stir with many AFL fans disagreeing with his view.<\/p>\n
\u201cmate you are genuinely clutching at straws here,\u201d read an Instagram comment from user @mcknzmrgn.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you kidding me??? Didn\u2019t you break a kids jaw behind the play at east Fremantle oval??\u201d said another user, @michael.mariot.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you linking a football melee (not one punch thrown) to men killing women ???\u201d wrote @j.goss90.<\/p>\n
However some commended Brown and backed up what he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the bros in here having a sook about \u2018aw it\u2019s such a small thing\u2019 not being aware of this stuff compounding and building the culture that stems into everyday lives. <\/p>\n
\u201cLads how do you propose changing the culture if not steps like this?\u201d wrote @dalenapier.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh I agree @mitchbrownie and sadly it\u2019s why our men\u2019s AFL game has so far to come,\u201d said user @studiokreat.<\/p>\n