Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson has criticised FIVEaa commentator Stephen Rowe for his “denigrating” comments on Melbourne skipper and women’s football pioneer Daisy Pearce.
During an Adelaide radio segment on Monday, Rowe odiously compared Pearce with fellow AFLW star and Crows‘ champion Erin Phillips, while accusing football media of being “Victorian-centric”.
Debating who the AFL should honour with a namesake, Rowe rattled off Phillips’ list of accolades before completely disregarding Pearce’s achievements and contribution to women’s football.
READ MORE: Motor sports body investigates Nazi-style salute by karter
READ MORE: ‘Disgusting’ violence rocks Newcastle rugby league
READ MORE: NBA coach falls on sword after fiery interview
Rowe is a former Adelaide Crows player whose son James was drafted to the club in 2020. He has previously condemned the AFL for its attachment to the VFL.
“What a pity Stephen that you couldn’t fly the flag for Erin Phillips without denigrating one of the game’s other greats in Daisy Pearce,” Wilson told Footy Classified.
“What a pity that that parochial chip on your South Australian, Adelaide Crows’ shoulder demonstrated and played havoc with your good manners.
“I think a majority of your so-called VFL media would agree that Erin Phillips deserves a significant medal named after her after yet another magnificent season, but I doubt many of them would be guilty of the parochialism of you and your Adelaide Crow’s media cronies.
“Erin Phillips is one of the game’s greats, she is the greatest AFLW footballer the game has seen. Daisy too is a champion for a host of different reasons, a pioneer who led Melbourne into its first grand final, helped lead them and ran out onto the Adelaide Oval with her two toddler twins in what might be her last AFLW game.
“But as I say, comparisons are odious. Stephen, don’t confuse theatre for a lack of grace.
“This Victorian bashing has got to stop.”
Phillips’ Crows and Pearce’s Demons met in last weekend’s AFLW grand final where Adelaide were victorious by 13 points.
The premiership-decider could have been Pearce’s last professional match as she tosses other ventures with the media and coaching, and Phillips’ last as a Crow as she looks set to move to expansion club Port Adelaide next season.
“They’re both great players and both very different players” fellow panellist Sam McClure added.
“I’m not sure we have to compare everything.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!