AFL Star Accused of “Blatant Bullying” After Birthday Post
A prominent Australian radio presenter has publicly accused her ex-partner, Fremantle Dockers defender Oscar McDonald, of “blatant bullying and disrespect” following a social media post made by the AFL player. The incident has once again brought to light the complexities of relationships involving public figures, particularly those in the high-profile world of professional sport.
Bridget Hustwaite, a well-known 34-year-old radio host and author of “How to Endo” and “Figuring Out 30,” claims that McDonald’s recent Instagram post celebrating his 30th birthday contained a deliberate barb aimed at her.
The footballer shared a series of photographs documenting his birthday celebrations with friends and family. His caption read, “30. Tough age apparently.” This seemingly innocuous statement, Hustwaite alleges, was a pointed reference to the title of her book, “Figuring Out 30.” The insinuation was further amplified by comments from those close to McDonald. His sister, Sacha, chimed in with “Figured it out,” while another individual added, “Better start writing a book about it.”
The controversy came to light for Hustwaite on Sunday, March 22, after she had been discharged from hospital. She had been undergoing treatment for a ruptured cyst that had caused a bowel obstruction. While recovering, she was made aware of social media posts that she could not access directly, as she had blocked McDonald on social media platforms.
Taking to her Instagram stories, Hustwaite expressed her dismay in a video message. “I thought I was in for quite a peaceful day of recovery but I’ve been sent articles throughout the day of some social media posts that I can’t access, because I have this person blocked on socials,” she explained.
Hustwaite stated that her initial inclination was to ignore the situation, as she dislikes how personal relationship matters can be trivialised for online consumption. However, she felt compelled to speak out. “But I also can’t really just sit back and allow, like, blatant bullying and disrespect of me and my work,” she declared.
Implications for Public Figures
The radio presenter also highlighted the potential repercussions of such behaviour for individuals in public-facing roles. “If you work in a public-facing role, and especially if you represent a brand organisation, a sporting club, this is not a good look on you, on who you work for, and it’s just mean,” Hustwaite cautioned.
She clarified that her decision to end the relationship last year was due to “reasons that are really serious to me” and that for her, the issues were “much more serious than just airing dirty laundry.”
Reflecting on McDonald’s actions, she expressed her bewilderment. “I don’t know why a birthday post had to be turned into just taking swipes at me but, you know, I’m not surprised,” she stated. “I just wanted to stand up for myself.” Despite the recent health scare and this public dispute, Hustwaite remains optimistic about her future. “I hope to have a more peaceful recovery and continue having like a really amazing year, regardless of this past week and these health things that have popped up for me. I’ll be writing more, which I’m sure will be further ridiculed, but that’s okay. I’m really happy with where I am.”
The couple’s relationship spanned approximately ten years, beginning when McDonald was playing for Melbourne. They relocated to Fremantle, Western Australia, in 2023 to support McDonald’s AFL career. Hustwaite had previously indicated that she ended the relationship late last year to prioritise her health and career.
Echoes of Past AFL Scandals
This incident draws parallels with another significant off-field controversy that recently shook the AFL community. Months prior, Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale and his wife, Jules, were embroiled in a highly publicised split.
News of their separation emerged in December, following Jules Neale’s public declaration of feeling “betrayed” amidst circulating rumours of relationship difficulties. “I want to make it very clear that I am not ‘working through’ anything,” Jules stated at the time. “I have been betrayed in the most unimaginable way. All I can do now is to to heal and do what’s best for my children.”
Adding fuel to the speculation surrounding the cause of their separation, Jules Neale commented on a now-deleted Instagram post by a former friend, Tess. The post featured photos of Tess celebrating Lachie Neale’s Brisbane Lions AFL Grand Final win the previous September, alongside her husband Ben and the Neales.
The images depicted Tess and Lachie Neale with their knees appearing to touch, while their respective partners stood on the opposite side. The two couples were reportedly close friends, frequently featured on each other’s social media. Following the incident, the women unfollowed each other, and all traces of their association were removed from their social media profiles. No definitive confirmation of any improper conduct between Tess and Lachie Neale has been provided.
Lachie Neale officially confirmed the separation in early January during a media address. “I have let my family down, and I apologise for my actions which have hurt those closest to me. For that I am deeply sorry,” he stated. Neale acknowledged that he had to “accept” the consequences of his actions, but emphasised his focus on rebuilding trust with his family, with the well-being of their children remaining their paramount concern.
