Garry Lyon, Billy Brownless affair | Channel 9 lashed for its handling of the situation

AFL writer Mark Robinson has lashed out at Channel Nine over its handling of the Garry Lyon, Billy Brownless saga.

On SEN radio on Monday, the respected journalist accused the network of double standards when trying to protect Lyon’s reputation.

“It’s a real funny thing with Garry, Channel Nine and Triple M where they work,” Robinson said.

“People are saying we’re going to be dancing on this terrible story — there is no greater group in Melbourne, if not Australian media than the Channel Nine and Triple M group who dance on the misfortune of so many people and make jokes about it.

“You know Ben Cousins was suicidal, Wayne Carey was said to be suicidal, Ricky Nixon was said to be suicidal but meanwhile the Triple M and Channel Nine boys make skits about other people’s misfortunes.

“Now, one of their own, the big daddy of them, it’s, ‘Everyone don’t say anything!’

“I don’t want to go to that level but I like consistency.”

The network released a statement on Saturday voicing its support for Lyon.

“We are all supporting Garry and hope he will be back to good health very soon. Our priority is his wellbeing,” Managing Director of Nine Melbourne Ian Paterson was quoted as saying in the statement.

“Garry has our full support. From here on, it’s a private and personal matter and we ask that be respected.”

In a column for the Herald Sun, Robinson went on to detail what impact Lyon’s absence will have on the TV and radio programs he was involved with, including The Footy Show, Footy Classified and his work on Triple M.

The Herald Sun reported Lyon is battling depression after being confronted by Brownless about the former Melbourne Demons player’s relationship with his ex-wife, Nicky.

The pair have been colleagues in the media for more than 15 years and their wives were understood to be close friends. Neither couple is still together.

Fairfax Media reported on Monday night Brownless has been telling close ones he believes Lyon’s affair with his ex-wife had been going on for “between three and four years”.

Entertainment reporter for Perth radio station 6PR Peter Ford supported this belief. Speaking on 3AW Breakfast on Melbourne radio on Monday morning, Ford said it was likely the relationship had been going on for several years.

“A lot of people think, ‘Oh, that’s crap. It’s PR spin,’” said Ford.

“Don’t doubt for one second that this is a genuine situation that goes back not just months, but years.”

“They don’t perceive it to be a fling ... they perceive to be much more serious than that.”

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