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AFL journalist Mitch Cleary is back at work after conceding fault in Brooke Cotchin social media debacle

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Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
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VideoThe Tasmanian Premier has turned his back on the AFL, ruling out any games for August.

AFL journalist Mitch Cleary has conceded he was at fault for a tweet which saw him stood down from his job for 24 hours.

Social media was abuzz last night after it was revealed the reporter had been indefinitely suspended from his role at AFL Media after he tweeted a photo of an Instagram story from Brooke Cotchin, the wife of Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin, at a day spa.

Brooke Cotchin’s facial costs Tigers $20k.
Camera IconBrooke Cotchin’s facial costs Tigers $20k. Credit: Instagram/Instagram

That trip saw the club fined $45,000 ($25,000 suspended) for a breach of its COVID protocols.

BROOKE COTCHIN BREAKS HER SILENCE ON SPA TRIP

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The decision to suspend Cleary was met with outrage and bewilderment across the wider AFL community, but Cleary conceded he was at fault after AFL Media decided not to publish the names of the offenders to protect them from backlash.

Speaking on a weekly podcast he co-hosts, The AFL Exchange, Cleary said he felt he was just “adding a layer to the story” when he shared Brooke Cotchin’s story.

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“I just thought she’d been named publicly in the days prior to that and felt that I was just adding a bit of detail to it,” Cleary said.

“No malice intended at all to Brooke, I just felt that I was doing what was required and adding detail to the story.

“But clearly I wasn’t aware of the protection of the names that we had in place and the AFL had put in place. I concede I should have been across that really, that’s my job and that’s what I do and I should have been across that.

“We made a call as a website not to name the individuals involved and once I was made aware of that and asked to take the post down, I did so.

“The last thing I wanted to do was cause extra angst to the Cotchin family, clearly the fine they’ve received and we now know that they’re paying stacks up. I just felt at the time I was adding a layer to something that was already out there.”

Brooke Cotchin with her three young children.
Camera IconBrooke Cotchin with her three young children. Credit: Instagram

Cleary thanked the community for their widespread support over social media.

“The support’s been overwhelming. Not only our team at AFL Media who have all been fantastic ... but also the wider industry,” he said.

“The amount of calls, texts and messages I have received have been really appreciated. I am just glad it is all sorted now.”

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