A hot mic moment during an advertisement break on AFL 360 has led to an apology from Melbourne icon Garry Lyon. While chatting with co-host Gerard Whateley and former Sydney coach John Longmire, Lyon unintentionally referred to Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek as the minister for “bullshit.” This off-air banter was recorded and later uploaded to a third-party platform.
The incident occurred when Longmire was discussing a recent meeting with Governor-General Sam Mostyn, alongside other Swans players and staff. Shortly after a photo featuring Plibersek appeared on screen, Whateley casually inquired about her current ministerial role, to which Lyon irreverently responded with “bullshit.” Longmire laughed off the remark, and the group then shifted gears to discuss upcoming segments.
After a few moments of contemplating Plibersek’s actual position, Lyon, with a sense of humour, remarked, “I think mine was more accurate.”
In response to the fallout from this exchange, both Lyon and Fox Footy released statements of apology. Steve Crawley, managing director of Fox Sports, expressed regret over Lyon’s statement, asserting that it did not mirror the channel’s values and was disrespectful to Plibersek and her public service efforts. He mentioned that although the comment did not air during the live show, it was mistakenly included when the content was posted online later.
Fox Footy apologised to Plibersek and reiterated the importance of maintaining professionalism and respect on and off camera. Lyon followed suit, expressing his personal regret for the disrespectful comment: “I apologise personally to Minister Plibersek. While the comment was meant in jest, it was clearly offensive, and I am sorry for the embarrassment it caused.”
Lyon has been a co-host on AFL 360 since early 2025, having taken over after the departure of previous host Mark Robinson. Furthermore, he has also taken on a significant role in the revival of AFL State of Origin that is set to take place in 2026, acting as the chief selector for the Victorian team.