AFL great Garry Lyon in hot mic drama as ‘disrespectful’ comment about Tanya Plibersek gets out

AFL great turned commentator Garry Lyon has been forced to apologise to Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek after a “disrespectful” comment was inadvertently uploaded and circulated online.

Crickey were first to report Lyon getting caught out in a hot mic moment during Wednesday night’s episode of AFL 360 on Fox Footy.

It’s understood the off-air footage wasn’t broadcast on Foxtel or Kayo, but was uploaded to another platform later on Wednesday night.

Footage and audio of an entire four-minute ad break was mistakenly uploaded, which can be seen here.

As the show went to an ad break, Lyon and fellow host Gerard Whateley greeted their next guest, former Sydney coach John Longmire, via video link.

After saying hello to each other, Longmire told the crew he had recently visited Canberra and met with politicians, including Plibersek, as part of a Swans delegation that were at Parliament House.

A photo then flashed up of Plibersek with Swans officials including Longmire, coach Dean Cox, CEO Matthew Pavlich, AFLW coach Colin O’Riordan, as well as star players Chloe Molloy and Braeden Campbell.

Lyon had a little laugh at Longmire dressed up in a suit, saying: “Sheesh, have a look at Horse (Longmire). Very regal. Regal looking horse,” he said.

Whateley then asked: “What’s Tanya Plibersek the minister for again at the moment?”

Lyon then responded by saying, “Bulls***” followed by some laughter.

Longmire could be heard saying, “oh don’t say that” as Lyon continued to laugh.

Former West Coast coach Adam Simpson also made his way onto the desk to get ready for the next segment, but there was still time for another comment from Lyon.

Lyon could be seen looking at his phone — to look up something — before saying the “Minister for Social Services of Australia” and then “I think mine was more accurate”.

The quartet exchange some more light-hearted comments before going quiet as the show returned from the ad break.

Lyon released a statement on Thursday apologising for his actions.

“I apologise personally to Minister Plibersek,” he said in a statement.

“While the comment was meant in jest it was clearly disrespectful and I am sorry for the offence and embarrassment it caused.”

Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley also apologised unreservedly.

“The off-air comment was made by Garry Lyon during an ad-break on AFL 360 and while the comment did not go to air, it was inadvertently included in the program when it was uploaded to another platform later in the night,” he said.

“The comment during the break does not reflect our values and standards and was disrespectful to the Minister and the hard work that 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.”