How Australia is reacting to Barry Hall's "utterly disgraceful" on-air comment.

On Friday night, former AFL great Barry Hall made a fleeting but vulgar comment live on-air that ended his Triple M radio career.

It was quick, and you might’ve even missed it over the laughs that followed if you hadn’t been listening carefully.

Thankfully, many Australians were listening, and a swift outcry of disgust saw the 41-year-old’s immediate sacking from the FM radio network.

The comment, which Mamamia has heard but has chosen not to publish at this time, was uttered during a pre-game chat segment before Friday night’s clash between the Western Bulldogs and Geelong at Etihad Stadium.

It referenced co-commentator and former AFL player Leigh Montagna’s wife Erin, who is due to give birth next week, and was excessively sexual.

READ FULL STORY: How Barry Hall’s “inappropriate” and vile on-air comment resulted in his immediate sacking.

Following the segment, Triple M Head of Content Mick Fitzpatrick made a statement regarding Hall’s firing.

“Tonight on Triple M Football, there were unacceptable and inappropriate comments made by a member of the commentary team,” he said.

“The commentator was removed immediately from the broadcast and an apology was issued on air afterwards. Immediate action was taken with the termination of employment for one team member.”

Many listeners, including journalists and sports commentators, shared their thoughts on the “misogynistic” conversation on Twitter.

Barry Hall situation is just a public example of a man making a rape joke with no idea why he shouldn’t. Instead of vilifying him, can we PLEASE use this as an opportunity to talk about WHY it’s offensive. Please @triplemfooty have the convo with listeners!

— Meshel Laurie (@Meshel_Laurie) June 30, 2018

re barry hall’s comment: I hear men say this or similar at work quite often (i am a midwife). It is just as inappropriate in context as out of. glad he’s been sacked. maybe people who think this is okay will take notice.

— Caitlin???? (@CaitlinLatter) June 29, 2018

Seriously Barry Hall are you kidding me…all you had to do was turn up and talk footy. You made me physically ill and infuriated at the same time…disgusting! #marngrook

— Shelley Ware (@ShelleyWare) June 29, 2018

Have heard what Barry Hall said and have chosen not to repeat it either on twitter or in our article. I’m sorry but it’s utterly disgusting.

— Matt Thompson (@MattThompson) June 29, 2018

Just heard what ex AFL player, Barry Hall said on radio.

What an utterly disgraceful, obscene, inappropriate thing to say at any time, to anyone, about anyone.

AFL can have all Respect Women Matches they want, but they have to realise they have a misogynistic cultural problem.

— Dean Rosario (@DeanRosario) June 29, 2018

Excruciating from Barry Hall. Made even worse by background chortle. Fully appreciate my generation not cut out for the blokey and moronic attempt at humour that appears to be MMM….. haven’t missed much have I? #manup or #STFU #RoleModelRadio

— Robert Shaw (@shawry_analyst) June 29, 2018

On Barry Hall comments that led to his sacking by Triple M: shocked, disgusted and deeply dismayed. https://t.co/bsqyBj8zN1

— Sam Lane (@SamJaneLane) June 29, 2018

What the hell was Barry Hall thinking with his comments on Triple M tonight? Just bizarre. I can’t remember hearing anyone say something like that on air before. It makes #FHRITP look tame. #afl

— Sean Cowan (@Sean_D_Cowan) June 29, 2018

Being new to working in radio I am always learning. Tonight Barry Hall showed me where the line is …. and it’s about a thousand miles from where Barry was tonight. ????????‍♂️.

— Xavier Ellis (@XaviEllis18) June 29, 2018

Barry Hall makes disgusting on-air crack about co-host’s wife. Is sacked by Triple M within three hours. I just read the comment, surprised it took three hours. https://t.co/s8xp7IJgnm

— Angela Priestley (@angelapriestley) June 29, 2018

I just heard what Barry Hall said. Wow. I’m speechless. Good on TripleM for sacking him on the spot. There wasn’t really any choice.

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottliebFOX) June 29, 2018

Pretty sure the “men” that laughed along with Barry Hall need to be sacked too… #casualsexism #notok #whatcenturyarewein https://t.co/fIj14mwa4r

— Lauren Hansen (@laurenaisla) June 30, 2018

What Barry Hall said was vile. But if I was Montagna’s partner I’d also be ropable about the way he also spoke about the person about to give birth to his baby. How these men think this kind of talk is acceptable now, more than any other time in our history, is incomprehensible.

— Zoe Curtis (@Zoe_Curtis_) June 30, 2018

Hall is yet to comment.

If anything, Australia’s reaction to Hall’s comment and subsequent sacking is a sign that this kind of ‘boys club banter’ won’t fly anymore.

Out from behind closed doors, at least.

What do you think Triple M should do next? Do you think they need to take a firm stance by holding their other staff accountable too?

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