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Journo apologises after private conversation airs on AFL Trade Radio

Journalist Craig Hutchison has apologised after a private conversation between himself and Damian Barrett aired during an AFL Trade Radio program.

Hutchinson revealed he was somewhat relieved the content of the private conversation wasn’t more disastrous, given the pair would regularly bag a number of people in their off-air conversations.

“We apologise to anyone that was displaced by that unfortunate little own goal this morning,” Hutchison told The Sounding Board podcast in relation to the aired conversation.

“Given how a standard five-minute conversation between you (Barrett) and I … we could potentially bag 20 to 30 people, I think we probably take the positive out of this.

Craig Hutchison (left) has apologised for the mishap. Pic: Nine
Craig Hutchison (left) has apologised for the mishap. Pic: Nine

“I remember Stephen Quartermain telling me on my first day on TV back in 1997 … any time you see a microphone, you should always assume it’s live. Now, I think that extends to mobile phones, too.”

AFL Trade Radio is an online radio program which airs on AFL.com.au and its platforms.

Thankfully the journalistic pair didn’t necessarily bag anyone in their wrongly-aired discussion, but did make mention of an embarrassing blunder by Carlton premiership coach Robert Walls.

AFL Media employee Cam Noakes saved the pair from further embarrassment by texting Barrett and alerting him to the mishap.

The transcript

Damian Barrett: I’ll just say … that’s what I’ve been told where you are, and you take …

Craig Hutchison: Can you hear the water in the background? Can you?

Barrett: *LAUGHS* I can actually, now you mention it. It’s lapping the boat, is it?

Hutchison: Yep.

Barrett: There’s a reference here in Johnno’s (producer Johnno Nash) rundown to Robert Walls saying that he predicted the Eagles to win the wooden spoon. Are you comfortable if I was to say that?

Hutchison: Yeah.

Barrett: Because you said that at the Footy Classified meeting first up this year, from memory.

Hutchison: Nah, I said they’d finish 17th.

Barrett: 17th?

Hutchison: Yep.

Barrett: Oh … we’ve got a problem here.

Hutchison: What’s wrong?

Barrett: Cam Noakes has just texted me. Our conversation was on Trade Radio.