ABC Melbourne’s breakfast radio program has taken another ratings hit, as Bob Murphy’s media career continues to stumble.
The former Western Bulldogs captain and footy favourite teamed up with journalist Sharnelle Vella in January, but the audience numbers tell a grim story.
In the latest GfK radio survey, their breakfast slot slipped 0.7 percentage points, dropping from 6.3 to 5.6 per cent of total audience share.
This marks the second consecutive ratings drop for the duo since taking over from Sammy J earlier this year.
Across all Monday to Friday timeslots, ABC Melbourne posted its worst-ever result, falling to a 4.4 per cent share.
The figure is down from the 4.8 per cent posted in the previous survey, which had already been a record low.
Former AFL star Bob Murphy and journalist Sharnelle Vella’s breakfast radio spot is tanking in the ratings
While Murphy was a respected player, he has attracted criticism in retirement for his comments in media
Murphy, 42, was a highly respected player during his 312-game AFL career.
Now co-hosting mornings on the ABC, his transition into media has not matched the success of his time on the field.
Earlier this year, the pair’s audience share stood at 7.9 per cent before sliding to 6.3 in the first ratings survey.
That downward trend has continued, and concerns are growing at the public broadcaster.
Murphy’s use of the term ‘AFLM’ in a recent column has also stirred backlash.
He used the label to distinguish the men’s league from AFLW, but many viewed it as an unnecessary gesture.
3AW Mornings host Tom Elliott didn’t hold back on-air, slamming the terminology as attention-seeking. ‘Does anybody else honestly want to call the AFL the AFLM?’ Elliott asked.
‘In America, you have the NBA and then the WNBA, that works fine. I think he [Murphy] is the only person who does this. He persists in calling the AFL the AFLM… that is wokeness.’
Murphy was previously lashed for calling the AFL the ‘AFLM’ to separate it from the women’s competition the AFLW
Murphy has kept his ties to the AFL and AFLW strong but has struggled with his own media career
It’s not the first time Murphy’s progressive stance has attracted criticism. In 2023, he appeared on ABC’s Four Corners, expressing disgust at former teammate Jason Akermanis’s remarks on gay players.
Murphy said he was ‘disgusted,’ ’embarrassed,’ and ‘hurt’ by Akermanis’s suggestion that gay AFL players should stay silent about their sexuality. No current or former AFL player has come out publicly.
Murphy responded with a passionate message of support: ‘You will be fought for and supported. If there is a dissenting voice, they will be told to shut the f*** up or get out.’
Akermanis fired back, calling Murphy a ‘complete myth’ and a ‘sook.’ The clash highlighted the stark divide between old-school views and Murphy’s outspoken support for inclusivity.
Despite the controversy, Murphy remains active within the AFL world. After returning to Melbourne from Perth in late 2024, he rejoined the Bulldogs in a cultural leadership and media support role.
He had previously worked with the club’s AFLW team and later spent three seasons at Fremantle as head of football operations for both men’s and women’s teams. His ties to the Bulldogs remain strong.
Murphy and Vella’s radio show airs weekday mornings from 5.30am to 8am. The former skipper said the role shares some traits with top-level sport.
‘You get in and anything could happen, really,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald. ‘You can start talking about one thing, and it takes a turn, and off it goes.’
He acknowledged the shift in scope compared to footy, saying, ‘This is a completely different coliseum.’
