BREAKING: Former AFL player Mitch Brown has made headlines as the first openly bisexual man in the league’s history, but not all clubs are responding positively. Following his monumental announcement this week, Brown has publicly called out several AFL clubs for their silence, raising questions about inclusivity in the sport.
In a week filled with support from fans and teams—including the West Coast Eagles, GWS Giants, and Fremantle—Brown noted that as of Saturday afternoon, four clubs remain silent. These include Collingwood, Geelong, Adelaide Crows, and the Brisbane Lions. The lack of response is particularly striking given the recent controversy surrounding the Adelaide Crows, whose forward Izak Rankine received a four-match ban for using a homophobic slur.
Taking to social media, Brown tagged the silent clubs, expressing his disappointment. “Collingwood, might not pay my membership next year at this rate,” he posted, while directly addressing Geelong by mentioning his twin brother’s connection to their AFLW team. He concluded with a jab at the Brisbane Lions, noting their focus on Taylor Swift’s engagement instead of his significant announcement.
In an exclusive comment to The Daily Australia, Brown shared his thoughts on the impact of club support. “I can’t help but think about how my younger self would have felt if my club didn’t show support for something like this back when I was playing,” he stated. He emphasized the announcement as a “huge opportunity” for clubs to influence the culture and attitudes of their fans.
The AFL is also facing backlash for its decision to allow Snoop Dogg to perform at the grand final, following his recent homophobic comments. This situation underscores the pressing need for a unified stance on inclusivity within the league.
As the conversation surrounding inclusivity in sports continues to evolve, all eyes are on the remaining silent clubs. Will they respond? The pressure to take a stand is mounting, and supporters are eager for change.
