Angry football fans slam ABC journalist for wild statement about AFLW struggles

Social media users were divided on Tuesday over a comment posted on X by an ABC journalist who questioned the views of some who offered their views on the AFLW’s recent struggles.

The decision follows a recent debate about what can be done to help improve women’s football.

Over the weekend, Channel Nine Footy Show presenter Tony Jones called for changes to the AFLW after the broadcaster branded several games from the most recent round ‘diabolical and unwatchable’.

He made particular reference to the Western Bulldogs’ disappointing performance against Essendon on Friday in front of 400 spectators.

The Bulldogs succumbed to a disappointing 26-3 defeat at Mission Whitten Oval on Friday night.

The result saw Tamara Hyett’s side earn the unwanted record of being the first AFLW team not to score a single goal in three games during a season, having also gone goalless in their previous defeat to North Melbourne.

The Western Bulldogs were held scoreless against Essendon on Friday in their AFLW clash

Tony Jones (pictured) has called for changes to women’s football, calling some of the weekend’s AFLW games ‘diabolical and almost unwatchable’

Some questioned the timing of certain games, with Kelli Underwood saying “the players deserve better”

Jones was one of several who spoke out at this weekend’s round, claiming the AFLW was at a “crisis point” and urging the AFL to step in to help.

‘The AFL is at a crisis point – they need to act and show they are fair in supporting the AFLW,’ he said on 3AW Mornings.

‘Some of those matches over the weekend – certainly with the Western Bulldogs – were just diabolical and almost unwatchable.’

It comes after the AFLW saw two low-scoring rounds in recent weeks.

On Wednesday night, the Crows and the Demons scored just 30 points between them, while West Coast scored just one goal during their 74-8 loss to the Hawks on Saturday.

Despite this, ABC reporter Marnie Vinall responded to online trolls who offered their opinions on the matter on X (formerly Twitter), but others were divided over her post.

ABC reporter Marnie Vinall responded to online trolls who offered their opinions on the issue on X (formerly Twitter), but others were divided over her post

Vinall wrote on

‘Again, reminding people that if you don’t watch AFLW regularly or aren’t actively involved in the game, we probably don’t need your opinion on how to “fix this”,’ Vinall wrote.

She later added: “Obviously this isn’t about people wanting to give opinions in good faith because they’re interested/would like to watch, this is about anyone who just wants to troll the league for fun without actually ever watching a game. .’

One fan responded, writing on X: ‘Really? Maybe reflect on why so many AFL fans don’t want to watch… I think your opinions probably deserve to be heard on what needs to change to get people’s attention. It’s completely unwatchable and uninspiring.

“Millions of Australians have played or been involved with our game, the fact that they are directly involved with the AFLW is irrelevant to their ability to provide advice and knowledge,” added another.

Some fans responded to her opinion by writing in the X ‘entry is never a bad thing’

Friday’s result was the third time this season that the Western Bulldogs have been held scoreless

Another social media user added: ‘I watch draft highlights. The talent coming in is exciting. But it will take a while. You must want some input. If it’s constructive and doesn’t bring down the game: But it’s simple, I don’t like rugby union, I don’t watch it or comment on it. But I can give an opinion.

‘This is literally the opposite of what market research does. If you’re trying to broaden your appeal, talk to people who don’t currently consume the product. Of course this doesn’t mean doing everything they suggest, but suggestions are never a bad thing.’

‘Are echo chambers the best path to improvement, then?’ one added.

But one fan responded, stating: ‘Ever consider that some people aren’t watching for a reason and therefore have an opinion? If every company worked on your idea, they would never make changes to a product. If it’s constructive, maybe it needs to be heard too! Unless the product is perfect, which I doubt it is.

Vinall responded to the social media user: ‘Yes, 100. I’m referring to the people who just want to write this off as unwatchable without actually watching it. They are not people with good faith advice or opinions.

Some fans agreed with the reporter, with one posting a 100% emoji, while another added a

“I would like to see the competition administrator take responsibility for the horrible games that have negatively impacted the competition and compromised players through increased risk of injury,” wrote one.

‘Fair call. I say, as a supporter, the AFL needs to learn from this week’s broadcasts and schedule, which I hope it does.

Some comments also questioned the timing of this season’s games. It comes after AFLW broadcaster Kelli Underwood said players “deserve better”, adding that playing in sub-par conditions on exposed local pitches contributed to players suffering more injuries, poor scoring and low crowd numbers.

Others supported his opinion, with one writing that the overload of games had a negative impact on the competition

“I think as time goes on it will become more and more obvious that October and November are not the right times (to play games),” Underwood said.

“The players deserve better than some of these suburban fields in the wind and rain.

‘Casey Fields in Cranbourne (home to Melbourne) is the windiest place you’ll ever visit. Conditions are always challenging and that is what I believe is likely contributing to these results.”

She added that AFLW bosses needed to “show some urgency” to improve the product so it could keep up with other codes in Australia.