AFL great Garry Lyon has apologised to Labor powerbroker Tanya Plibersek for referring to her as the ‘minister for bulls**t’ in a hot-mic moment from his Fox Sports TV show that was never meant to be aired.
The incident occurred on Wednesday night as Lyon, his co-host Gerard Whateley, and ex-AFL coaches John Longmire and Adam Simpson were preparing to film a regular segment.
They were unaware that their conversation was being broadcast on a platform other than Foxtel and Kayo, the pay TV giant’s streaming service.
The four footy figures were about to discuss Melbourne Demons players arriving for their match against Carlton dressed in casual wear instead of club gear, as is the norm for AFL teams.
Longmire was asked about a recent trip he made to Canberra and said, ‘I spent the day at parliament house meeting with ministers and then caught up with Sam Mostyn, our governor-general. Spent some good time with Sam.’
An image was then shown of Longmire with the man who took over from him as Sydney Swans coach, Dean Cox, along with Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich and Plibersek.
Garry Lyon (right) was unaware that he and AFL 360 co-host Gerard Whateley (left) were on air when he insulted one of Australia’s top politicians on Wednesday
The Demons legend called Tanya Plibersek the minister for ‘bulls**t’ while he thought he was off-air during an ad break
Lyon and Foxtel apologised to Plibersek (pictured in parliament) for the incident in a statement made on Thursday
Whateley asked, ‘What’s Tanya Plibersek the minister for again at the moment?’
Lyon then said, ‘Bulls**t,’ as the panel broke into laughter.
When the show went to an ad break, the streaming vision showed Lyon – who thought he could not be seen by viewers – giving the correct answer about Plibersek’s job as he said, ‘Minister for Social Services Australia.’
He then doubled down on his joke by saying, ‘I think mine was more accurate.’
On Thursday, Lyon and Foxtel apologised for the comment.
‘I apologise personally to Minister Plibersek,’ Lyon said in the statement.
‘While the comment was meant in jest it was clearly disrespectful and I am sorry for the offence and embarrassment it caused.’
The broadcaster also sent the presenters a reminder in the statement it issued on Thursday.
Foxtel took the opportunity to remind presenters like Lyon (pictured) ‘of the need to be respectful and professional at all times, both on and off camera’
The broadcaster praised Plibersek (pictured) for ‘the hard work she and all politicians do in representing our community’
‘Foxtel unreservedly apologises for a comment made in reference to Federal Minister Tanya Plibersek last night,’ it read.
‘The comment during the break does not reflect our values and standards and was disrespectful to the Minister and the hard work she and all politicians do in representing our community.
‘We have apologised to the Minister this morning and reminded our presenters of the need to be respectful and professional at all times, both on and off camera.’
Lyon also caused a stir with another ‘bulls**t’ comment on his SEN radio show earlier this week.
The Demons icon laid into Adelaide Crows star Jordon Butts, accusing him of embracing outdated ‘macho’ behaviour after copping a heavy knock in the match against Geelong on March 26.
Butts was left dazed following accidental contact from teammate Lachlan McAndrew in the third quarter.
Despite appearing visibly affected, Butts initially remained on the ground and resisted immediate medical intervention, before eventually undergoing a Head Injury Assessment.
‘Concussion remains one of the biggest issues in football, one of the biggest challenges in football,’ Lyon said.
‘There are complexities surrounding players who have had their careers ended and lives uprooted on the back of concussion.’
Lyon then delivered a pointed rebuke directed at Butts.
‘So, to Jordon Butts, when you get whacked in the head, as you did on Thursday night.
‘What is this macho bulls**t of shrugging off the doctor and saying, ‘Get out of my way, I’m good enough, I’ll stay out there’, when the prudent, responsible course of action is to get yourself off the ground.
