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- Footy fans have also called out aggressive approach to reporting
Former AFL star Tom Rockliff has blasted Channel 7 after reporter Mitch Cleary hounded Port Adelaide gun Zak Butters on the golf course.
Rockliff, who played 208 games for Brisbane and Port across 11 seasons, didn’t hold back after Cleary confronted Butters during a casual round at The National Golf Club on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
‘Was enjoying a round of golf until he got chased by you,’ Rockliff wrote on X.
‘You think this is good content that anyone is interested in? Wonder why players give nothing to reporters.. behaviour like this is unacceptable. AFL Players Association should intervene.’
Cleary defended his approach, claiming the players invited him to film their birdie putt.
‘The boys were asking us to film their birdie putt on the last. Waited till the round was over and asked him three questions,’ he posted.
Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary has come under fire for allegedly ambushing Port Adelaide star Zak Butters on the golf course
Butters has been linked to a possible move away from Port Adelaide but was in no mood to talk about it with Cleary while he was trying to enjoy some downtime
Former Port Adelaide and Brisbane Lions star Tom Rockliff blasted Cleary for his actions
But Rockliff wasn’t buying it. ‘Come on Mitch, we know that’s not true. I can tell the story if you would like me too?’ he shot back.
Fans also piled on, accusing Cleary of invading the players’ personal time.
‘Just happened to see them on your travels to Sorrento I’m assuming and stopped in to say g’day? Surely you wouldn’t have followed them down there after finding out about their tee time,’ one wrote.
Another added: ‘Any chance you can leave him alone and stay away from his personal time and life.’
A third mocked Cleary’s claim: ‘So weird that they wanted the putt recorded from behind the bushes.’
The drama unfolded as Cleary quizzed Butters about his future at Port Adelaide.
The 25-year-old calmly replied: ‘Shouldn’t be worried at all, it’s a good golf course. I’m playing at Port next year, so I’m not going to comment.’
It’s the latest flashpoint in a string of awkward Channel 7 run-ins with AFL players.
Hawthorn star Jack Ginnivan had a run in with Channel 7 Adelaide’s Lauren Rose earlier in the year
Clayton Oliver blew up over constant speculation over his future and being asked again while trying to go on holiday
Just last week, Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver exploded at Cleary at the airport.
‘Honestly, f*** off, I don’t know how many times I’ve got to say it, mate. I’m going to Sydney on a holiday and then I’m going to America, got nothing to do with anything,’ he said.
When pressed again, Oliver snapped: ‘I f***ing hate that c*** he is a f***wit.’
Earlier this year, Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan was ambushed by Channel 7 Adelaide’s Lauren Rose after giving Crows fans the finger.
‘What was with the middle finger at Crows fans last night? Are you a sore loser?’ she asked.
Ginnivan fired back: ‘Do you think I’m going to speak to you?’
When Rose replied, ‘Haven’t you just?’ he smirked: ‘Because you’re embarrassing. Imagine trying to stop me at an airport.’
Commentators have since accused the network of goading players for reaction.
‘I thought she was being a bit of a smart ass… I thought she was trying to provoke a reaction and bait him,’ 3AW’s Shane McInnes said at the time.
