- Abbey Holmes and her husband welcomed their son in June
Seven AFL commentator Abbey Holmes has hit back at online trolls who have accused her of neglecting her baby and being ‘self-centred’ as she attended the Brownlow Medal.
Holmes, 34, and her husband, former Hawthorn and Gold Coast player Keegan Brooksby, welcomed their first child, Brax, on June 6.
The much-loved presenter returned to work two days a week on July 25, in time for Essendon’s Round 20 clash against the Western Bulldogs.
While most footy fans wished the presenter well at the time, some trolls accused her of putting herself above her son’s needs.
Holmes came in for more of that abuse when she posted innocent photos of herself ahead of the Brownlow Medal, with one follower commented: ‘Any chance you could spend a minute or two with your baby you self centered egotist???’
The ex-AFLW star addressed the issue with a recent Instagram post, writing: ‘WTF is wrong with people. Little does this person know my baby was 2m away from me. Not that I owe anybody an explanation.
Abbey Holmes (pictured at the Brownlow Medal with Seven colleague Matthew Richardson) has responded to backlash from online trolls who have accused her of neglecting her baby
The popular commentator said that trolls know nothing about her life after they wrongly accused her of not caring for her son while she got ready to cover footy’s biggest night
‘To all the morons out there who think it’s OK to comment these things on anyone’s post, let alone a new mum… shame on you!
‘You know nothing about our lives. Be better.’
Former Collingwood and Carlton champion turned Seven commentator Dale Thomas has backed Holmes up, saying that his wife Natasha has received similar abuse.
‘It’s been eye-opening seeing comments like this week in, week out – not only to Abs, but to Natasha too!’ the wrote on Instagram.
‘I have no idea why nasty people feel they have the right to comment negatively and question things they clearly have no real gauge or understanding of.
‘We will never beat the trolls, but to fight the good fight, lets celebrate these incredible women!
‘Abbey Holmes, I’m in awe of how you manage to be an incredible mum to Brax – yes Darryl [the troll] I’m lucky enough to see it up close!
‘How you continue to dominate work at a ridiculously high level while striving to be better, and still have time to be a wife, friend, and role model!’
Holmes explained that her baby son was two metres away from her in the photos she posted
AFL great turned Seven star Dale Thomas supported Holmes, revealing that his wife Natasha has received similar abuse
Holmes gradually returned to work seven weeks after giving birth
It’s not the first time Holmes has been targeted with negative comments on social media about returning to work.
In early August, she said there was no reason why she couldn’t chase her career and start a family at the same time.
‘I think my work for me, it’s so important. I genuinely love what I do. It doesn’t feel like work in any way, shape or form,’ Holmes said at the time.
‘There’s certainly a small minority of people out there that feel that they have the right to tell you what you should be doing and how things are to be done, which is never the case.’
She also blasted those who had criticised her husband, Keegan, who she dubbed a ‘super dad’.
‘[Someone said:] “Oh dad’s on babysitting duty”. I’m sorry, but dads don’t babysit their own children, they’re 50 per cent of the parenting duo,’ she said.
