In a modern sporting media landscape dominated by socials, podcasts, and instant red-hot takes, anyone with access to either a computer or microphone can have a voice. In many ways it's a blessing; the freedom of speech allowing for a seemingly endless stream of consumable content at our disposal. On the other hand, with zero regulation in the industry, often no bosses to answer to, and social media companies happy to wash their hands of any involvement or wrongdoing, it can very much be a curse.
This week, a member of an all-male Carlton fan-driven podcast I'm not going to dignify by naming, declared he would "punch the f--- out of 'the Besties'", a reference to another Blues fan-led podcast, Carlton Besties, originally launched in 2023 by two women in an effort to connect and empower female footy fans around the country -- the type of initiative we should be celebrating.
Despite the three other members of the podcast team roaring in laughter at the mere suggestion of violence against women, these comments weren't remotely humorous. Nor were they delivered tongue-in-cheek or taken out of context, as some rusted-on supporters of the show have since suggested on various social media channels. Instead, let's call it what it was: a disgusting attack with wildly concerning sexist and abusive undertones, further proving some people simply don't deserve the privilege that is freedom of speech.
Ultimately, that's exactly what any podcast, blog, or social media platform offers its users. Just because we can all now have a voice, it doesn't mean it's not still a privilege. It's an even greater privilege to have an audience to share that voice with. And as with any sort of power and influence, there's a requirement for a degree of responsibility. Or at least there should be. And while many fan-driven podcasts tow the line from an ethics standpoint, clearly there are some who take this unearned privilege for granted.
Spewing vile, misogynistic, assault-themed commentary is never acceptable (I can't believe I even have to write those words in 2026). But to do so in front of a microphone is next level stupidity. The saddest and most worrying aspect of it all is that not one of the other three members bothered to interject and call out the behaviour. Instead, they laughed uncontrollably; in what can only be interpreted as a bewildering mix of encouragement and approval of the comment. Even the attempt at an apology did more harm than good, given the scrambling effort to justify the hurtful and hate-filled words. The 'sure, I said I would punch women, but only because I think I could beat them in a fight' rationale conveyed in the regret is as disgusting as it is perplexing.
All this does is prove both sexism and violence against women remain deep-seeded cultural issues that continue to fester in both sport and society. It's cowardly. It's pathetic. It's appalling. And don't even dare try and brush it off as simply boys being boys.
Australia is in the midst of a worrying domestic violence epidemic. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, in the 2024-25 financial year, police recorded 97,800 offenders of domestic violence, marking a sharp 8% increase year-on-year and the highest offender rate since 2019. Furthermore, two in five women in the country have experienced domestic violence since the age of 15, while one woman is killed every nine days from domestic violence by either a current or former partner.
As a male working in the football media industry, I'm embarrassed. I'm embarrassed that such offensive, insupportable commentary could be delivered from the mouth of someone who shares the AFL grandstands with me -- and God forbid, women -- each weekend. I'm embarrassed that these outdated attitudes exist in sport in 2026, making it yet another barrier for any woman ever wishing to get involved in any capacity. I'm embarrassed, and disappointed, that someone who feels this way has an audience to share these dangerously warped ideas with. But sadly, I'm not entirely surprised by it all, and that's precisely the problem.
Who is holding this group accountable? Who will intervene and cut their microphones? Nobody. We grow up learning that our actions have consequences, and yet commentary as despicable as this will ultimately get swept under the rug and forgotten about when we move on to the next inevitable controversy. There is no industry regulation. There is no boss or company to come down hard on them. There is nothing these social media giants will do to prevent such abhorrent attacks from continuing to occur on their platforms.
How about Carlton? According to The Australian it's investigating the issue, but what can it really do? In no world would the club want to be associated with this quartet -- one that streams its video content surrounded by an assortment of Blues merchandise -- but its hands are tied to a large extent. If the perpetrators in question are paid-up club members, Carlton could potentially slice up their cards and issue a ban, though policing it is near impossible. If not, the club doesn't really have the jurisdiction to do anything, nor does the AFL, for that matter.
On the other hand, perhaps a pointed message from either CEO Graham Wright or club captain Patrick Cripps could whip these four into line. Wishful thinking, I know. At the very least, a statement or media conference from a senior figure at the Blues would help in distancing the club from the podcast drama, while hammering home the fact it does not condone such unacceptable behaviour. At the end of the day, there's a reason clubs have ambivalent attitudes towards these fan-driven podcasts and self-made media platforms. Sure, there's exposure, but sometimes at what cost? In many ways it's a shame, given there are dozens of insightful and well-run fan podcasts across the league.
Sadly, if anything, the negative blowback and social media firestorm generated from these inexcusable comments is more likely to boost the podcast's listenership base than decrease it. It's not the first time we've seen something like this crop up in football and, sadly, it almost certainly won't be the last time. What a backwards world we're living in.
Ironically, next weekend the Blues will celebrate the 10th anniversary of 'Carlton Respects', the round of footy the club dedicates to calling out violence against women in Australia and helping to put an end to it. Clearly, it's a cause that very much still requires extreme attention, discussion, and education in this country.
