AFL icon Rex Hunt condemned over explosive rant about Daisy Pearce
AFL icon Rex Hunt has been condemned across the footy world after a controversial opinion about TV networks having to cater for "equal genders" in their broadcasting teams.
Hunt responded to a Facebook post from a friend who took issue with Wayne Carey being replaced on Channel Seven's Friday night AFL coverage with Daisy Pearce, with the Kangaroos legend instead taking up the Saturday night slot with Seven.
'RIDICULOUS': North Melbourne under fire over post-match act
'DIFFICULT TO WATCH': AFL rocked by 'horrible' incident
Carey revealed earlier this year that the move was a mutual one between himself and the network, allowing him a better opportunity to focus on family commitments.
However, Hunt's friend John Locco took aim at the broadcaster in a Facebook post after uploading a side-by-side photo of Carey and Pearce with the caption: “Hey Days any chance we can hear from Wayne Carey tonight.”
The comment came in reference to AFLW star Pearce, who has appeared alongside Hawthorn great Luke Hodge in special comments on the ratings-leading Friday night AFL coverage.
Hunt - who played 202 matches in the VFL between 1968 and 1978 with Richmond, Geelong and St Kilda, before turning to commentary - sparked outrage with a contentious response to his friend's post.
“John … you are totally out of contact with modern football broadcasting," Hunt wrote.
“The air conveyance scientist who gave Carey the lemon to Saturday night on Channel Rex and gave Daisy… a wonderful lass. the main gig on Fridays is a gun.
“He.. I assume… was forced into such a weak gutted sit down and piss decision by pressure to have equal genders everywhere.
“We… you and I, came from an era that is only a memory now. Tough… relentless football. The game is a robotic, pre planned…. keeping’s off affair.
“The do-gooders have won. Give me a week as Chief Commissioner John and I guarantee these bastards would not even think about looking sideways at law abiding citizens.
“Let alone roaming the streets. I probably don’t have the CV to say this … but I will.
“After 200 games on the field and over 2000 in the box …. broadcasting box that is … Wayne Carey to my mind is the best qualified comments man alongside Lethal (Leigh Matthews).
“Call me a fossil or whatever.
“But our game has been ruined by people who are making rules to appease soft penises. For gods sake… give us some biff.
“Give us some spice. And Daisy… just let Carey say a few words... please.
"If I had one bloke to play for my life... The Ducks him.
“I want Carey to talk about that rough brave play.”
The AFL icon then doubled-down when contacted by the Herald Sun about the explosive comments.
“I’m glad that people are talking, I had to say it," he said.
“Daisy is terrific and she’ll go coaching and I understand you’ve got to have a lady there but which bright spark at Channel 7 thought to get rid of (Carey) - he or she is wrong.”
Rex Hunt slammed over contentious opinion
Not surprisingly, Hunt's take elicited a widespread rebuke from fans across the footy world.
The Age’s Marnie Vinnall wrote: “There are so many bad takes in the afl but this one’s a real doozy, my god.”
Zero Digital Sports’ Nick Splitter added: “This may just possibly be THE WORST TAKE I’ve seen in a week full of terrible takes.”
Rex Hunt, you ARE a fossil, your views are outdated and your opinion unwanted. I for one, much prefer Daisy Pearce over Wayne Carey and Leigh Matthews in the commentary box. pic.twitter.com/Pk4AlCOapI
— Bianca 🦄 (@BinkiiBear) July 8, 2022
Rex Hunt is an ignorant irrelevant fossil. Time to wake up to 2022 old man #huntisaflog
— Andrea Ellis (@hoochypip) July 8, 2022
Who is Rex Hunt? Apart from another angry old white man who thinks there is some special magic in sport and that women should be seen and not heard?
— Jenny Forster 🎀 (@JennyForster7) July 8, 2022
Does anyone still care what Rex Hunt thinks? Just another terrible take by someone living in a bygone era.
— AJ (@anthonyAJC) July 8, 2022
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.