Melbourne’s 3AW radio hosts Neil Mitchell and Jacqui Felgate have gone head-to-head in a heated debate over whether the Brownlow Medal objectifies women. The Brownlow Awards on Monday celebrated the AFL’s best and fairest player, as voted by the umpires. This year, Carlton Blues captain Patrick Cripps claimed his second Brownlow Medal, polling a record 45 votes to secure the honour decisively.
However, the day after the AFL’s night of nights, Mitchell, 72, launched into a fiery on-air rant, calling the ceremony "sexist". On Tuesday afternoon, Mitchell joined his colleague, TV presenter and 3AW Drive host Jacqui Felgate to discuss the event’s focus on women’s fashion, which he believes objectifies women. "I don't want to be the fun police here, but why is it, all year, we get lectured about how its sexist and offensive to objectify women, and then it gets to Brownlow night, and its: 'Ohhh lets objectify women! Oh terrific! Who dressed you darl? Your hair is lovely,'" he said.
As he laughed, Mitchell adopted a high-pitched voice: "Where'd you get that little bag that looks like a chook?" The radio shock jock then discussed how "the poor bloke" (referring to the AFL player) stands next to his date in complete confusion. Felgate, who has hosted the Brownlow multiple times, challenged Mitchell's viewpoint. "What? I don't think so.
Who's saying that we're objectifying women?" she countered. "Me," Mitchell quipped back, explaining that he’s held this opinion for years. H.
