Saturday Magazine

Fiona Newton, – host of Chicks Talking Footy, talks to Nevena and John about former AFL player Mitch Brown Coming Out as Bi – A First for AFL

Former West Coast defender Mitch Brown has become the first openly bisexual man in AFL history.

Brown, who played 94 games for the Eagles between 2007 and 2016, said the weight of hiding his sexuality played a part in his decision to retire at 28 after being delisted by the Eagles.

Speaking to the Daily Aus, Brown described the AFL’s culture as a “hyper-masculine”, something that made questioning sexuality impossible.

“I remember two people having a conversation around how they would feel having a shower next to a gay man, and one of the players said, ‘I’d rather be in a cage full of lions than have a shower next to a gay man’,” Brown said.

“There’s been so many times in my life that I’ve seen things or heard things and not said anything, in fear of people thinking that I was gay or bisexual.”

The 36-year-old believes there are currently gay and bisexual players playing in the AFL and he says his message to them is: “I see you and you are not alone.”

Brown said he hopes his story helps create the “safety, comfort, and space” for others to come forward.

“The reactions that I hope for are the ones I won’t hear. They’re the ones of those young men around Australia going, ‘I feel seen, I feel a little bit safer, and I have a role model — albeit just ordinary old Mitch — a role model I can now look to’,” he said.

In a further statement on his personal Instagram account after his announcement, Brown wrote: “Very weird feeling knowing this is out in the world, but I feel confident in who I am and have amazing support around me. If this helps even one person, it will have been worth it. The world needs more positive male role models, and I hope I can step up and be one”.

In the wake of Rankine’s suspension, Brown said the focus should be on systemic change rather than the length of suspensions.

Brown was clearly taking notice of the reaction, as he subsequently published some messages of his own, taking shots at clubs that had yet to make any public comments.

A number of AFL clubs – the GWS Giants, Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast, Western Bulldogs and Brown’s former side West Coast pledged messages of support on social media that same day.

Hawthorn reposted a message from the AFL on Wednesday, while Carlton and St Kilda published messages of support online on Thursday.

Perhaps in reaction to Brown’s call-outs, Melbourne, Essendon, and the Tigers belatedly posted social media messages of support on Friday, with the Swans following suit on Saturday afternoon.

“It is wonderful to see so much conversation after an incredibly significant moment for our industry and Australia’s LGTBQIA+ community,” the Swans statement on Saturday read

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/mitch-brown-blasts-section-of-afl-clubs-for-a-lack-of-support/news-story/ef6be7e6938bc2193f3cc7a636ec7003

The post Saturday, 30th August, 2025: Fiona Newton, – host of Chicks Talking Footy, AFL player Mitch Brown Coming Out as Bi – A First for AFL appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Broden John Kelly is half of the three current performing members of Aunty Donna, a host of the Aunty Donna Podcast and a main cast member in Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun. Outside Aunty Donna, Broden is known for being in a Coles MasterCard ad and for being a Ginger.

Aunty Donna is an Australian surrealist comedy group formed in Melbourne in 2011. The group currently consists of performers and writers Mark Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane, alongside writer and director Sam Lingham, director Max Miller and composer Thomas Zahariou (formerly Armstrong).

Broden poses the question that Australian TV Comedy needs a shake up. John and Nevena discuss this issue with him.

@brodenkellyismyname

@thefootywithbrodenkelly

@satmag_joy

 @joy949

@nevenaspirovska

@jameswfroberts_poet

The post Saturday, 30th, August, 2025: Broden Kelly-Aunty Donna-Why Australian TV Comedy Needs a Shake Up appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

This week Nevena is hosting with Paul on the panel; Nevena’s co-host is famed Australian Journalist, Writer and Satirist John Safran.

John is a famous Australian radio personality, satirist, documentary maker and author, known for combining humour with religious, political and ethnic issues. First gaining fame appearing in Race Around the World,1997, John has gone on to produce a series of documentaries, television shows and host radio programs.

He currently works as a journalist and author. He released his latest book, Squat, in October 2024.

‘This house is freaking me out. It’s bad for me. But I’m finishing this.’

‘Discovering Kanye West is praising Adolf Hitler, John Safran heads to America to find out what’s up. Kanye proves elusive, one thing tumbles into another, and John packs his duffle bags and moves in, squatting at one of Kanye’s mansions in the rolling hills of Los Angeles.

Will the neighbours get wise and snitch to the cops? Are the creatures in the woods behind the mansion a worry? Will Kanye return? More paranoid each day, John becomes convinced the house itself is turning against him.

Alone with his thoughts in Kanye’s haunt, John finds himself asking where he fits into the world as a Jew. Dangerous and hilarious, Squat examines just how precarious identity and belonging can be’

https://www.penguin.com.au/books/squat-9781760890179

The post Saturday, 30th, August, 2025: Weekly Wrap Up with Nevena Spirovska and John Safran appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our last guest for this week is Simon Abrahams, Creative Director & CEO, Melbourne Fringe Festival, as the guide to the Melbourne Fringe has now officially been released Simon Abrahams...

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The post Saturday, 23rd August. 2025: Simon Abrahams, Creative Director & CEO, Melbourne Fringe Festival-Programme Launch appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul speak to  Julie Williams a dedicated Gay Games participant since 1994, attending eight consecutive editions and earning her first medal in Guadalajara in 2023. With prior experience...

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The post Saturday, 23rd August. 2025: Julie Williams, Site Inspector / Representative, Federation of Gay Games (Perth 2030 Bid) appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul are joined by Jodie Harris from law firm Arnold, Thomas & Becker to discuss the National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional sexual abuse and what listeners...

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The post Saturday, 23rd August. 2025: Jodie Harris, Partner / Principal, Arnold Thomas And Becker National Redress Scheme for Survivors of Institutional Sexual Abuse; Status of Childcare Centre Abuse Case appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul Scott-Williams, are joined live in the studio by Jenna Tuke, Chief Executive Officer, Switchboard Victoria as they discuss Grindr Attacks on Gay and Queer Men, Domestic Violence...

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The post Saturday, 23rd August. 2025: Jenna Tuke, Chief Executive Officer, Switchboard Victoria: New Helpline Service Supporting Victims of Violence Facilitated via Hook-Up Apps appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul are Aiv, are joined live in the studio by Joe Ball; Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities (Victoria); as they discussed the new Treaty between First Nations people and...

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The post Saturday, 23rd August. 2025: Joe Ball; Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities (Victoria); Indigenous Treaty, Rise of Neo-Nazis and Racism appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

First guest this week is show regular and Joy supporter, Aiv Puglielli, Member, Victorian Legislative Council (Victorian Greens), who was live in the studio with Macca and Paul. Aiv Puglielli...

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The post Saturday, 23rd August. 2025: Aiv Puglielli, Member, Victorian Legislative Council (Victorian Greens); Legal Pill Testing. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca is joined by Joy Media’s CEO, Paul Scott-Williams in the hosting seats this week. Paul and Macca start  off this week’s programme with a fiery rebuke of institutional, systemic...

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The post Saturday, 23rd August. 2025: Weekly Wrap Up: AFL & Homophobia: Macca and Paul Scott-Williams appeared first on Saturday Magazine.