Veteran Channel Nine journalist Tony Jones has been labelled ‘arrogant’ in his latest on-air controversy, this time for grilling a young Essendon star over the future of the battling club in uncomfortable scenes.
The Bombers have endured a disastrous 2026 campaign, with just a single win over the Melbourne Demons in round five, leaving the club anchored at the bottom of the AFL ladder.
That led to coach Brad Scott being sacked after 11 matches, with backs mentor Dean Solomon installed as interim.
Last weekend’s episode of The Sunday Footy Show on the network saw two of the young Bombers stars appear for interviews, including 18-year-old Jacob Farrow who has played just 10 AFL matches.
Farrow moved from Western Australia away from his friends and family after he was selected by Essendon with pick 10 in the 2025 AFL draft.
But he received no mercy from Jones over the state of the club and its future coach, with disgraced club legend James Hird linked to a return to Windy Hill.
Veteran Channel Nine journalist Tony Jones has come under fire for grilling an 18-year-old AFL rookie
Essendon Bombers defender Jacob Farrow has played just 10 AFL games before he was put in the hot seat on The Sunday Footy Show
Former Adelaide star Rory Sloane called for Jones to cool his heels on grilling the young Bombers star
‘Now Jacob, we’ve got to ask you this question,’ Jones began.
‘And if your media team hadn’t prepared it for you, I would be surprised.
‘You mentioned Solly, Dean Solomon, would you like him to take on the job full-time going into next year?’
The young defender enthusiastically endorsed the interim coach to take the reins full-time in 2027.
‘He was obviously the backs coach at the start of the year so I have had a fair bit to do with him,’ Farrow said.
‘He is really good, but honestly I have no idea of what’s going to happen next year.’
Jones wasn’t done with the youngster yet, proceeding to grill him about the coaching situation at the Bombers.
‘Is there any chatter amongst the playing group about the respect that they have for Solly and you know, the communication lines of?’ he asked.
Essendon coach Brad Scott was sacked after a shocking start to the AFL season for the Bombers
Farrow, 18, is one of a number of young players the embattled club has had to call up
Former backs coach Dean Solomon is the current interim at the Bombers and in the mix for the fulltime gig in 2027
‘He’s our head coach, we treat him none other like … sorry,’ Farrow said as he got flustered by the big questions.
It was at this point that former Adelaide star and All-Australian Rory Sloane stepped in to defend the young Bomber as Jones continued to press him for answers.
‘Jacob’s in his first year of footy too TJ, he’s been outstanding,’ Sloane said.
A disgruntled Jones interjected, asking: ‘What are you saying?’
‘Well we don’t have to grill him, he’s in his first year, he’s just trying to solidify his spot at the moment,’ Sloane replied.
Jones, not happy, fired back: ‘And you’re in your first year in the media so don’t grill me’.
‘Second year,’ Sloane corrected.
Viewers backed Sloane, saying Jones had thin skin for his response to the criticism he received from Sloane.
Jones has been involved in a number of controversial moments in his career, including this attempted kiss with Rebecca Judd
‘TJ has the thinnest skin in media too. Can dish but not take. Gets his back up the second he’s called out,’ one posted.
Another added: ‘It takes a weak man to seemingly try to bully an 18yo on TV like that’.
‘Like nails down a chalkboard by TJ,’ another said.
There was plenty of support for Sloane to step in to protect the 10-game rookie from the grilling.
‘Good work by Rory Sloane, the follow up question by TJ about the chatter amongst the playing group was over the line and way to cheeky, no one enjoyed that,’ one posted.
‘Sloane is in his 2nd year in the media and already displays significant morals and values far higher than TJ,’ added another.
Jones has been involved in several high-profile controversies during his long broadcasting career.
The biggest came at the 2025 Australian Open when he mocked Novak Djokovic and led chants of ‘kick him out’, prompting the tennis star to boycott an on-court interview.
He has long faced criticism from some AFL supporters over claims he revealed Nathan Thompson’s battle with depression before Hawthorn intended to make the matter public.
During a live cross on Nine News in 2013, Jones invited Rebecca Judd to ‘come round for a barbecue’ while she was reporting.
Judd immediately replied, ‘No thanks,’ creating an awkward on-air moment that quickly went viral and became one of the most replayed clips of Jones’ career.
A few years later, in 2016, Jones again attracted attention when he attempted to kiss Judd on the cheek during a live farewell segment before she went on maternity leave.
Judd visibly pulled away, and the footage sparked criticism online, with many viewers describing the exchange as uncomfortable and inappropriate.
