AFL commentator Stephen Rowe has apologised to Adelaide Crows General Manager of Media Ian Shuttleworth after a verbal shouting match was mistakenly put to air.
Rowe, who works for Adelaide-based radio station 5AA, got riled up at Shuttleworth about the clubs inability to be transparent about their injury list and both parties became frustrated.
“There was a halftime bust-up in our commentary box over certain frustrations. I was completely at fault. It was unprofessional. We both would’ve preferred it stay private and on a commercial level, so we move on," Rowe told heraldsun.com.au.
“It was completely my fault. I had a bad moment.”
The fighting could be heard in the background of radio presenter Mark Bickley's halftime analysis during the Crows and Bulldogs' match on Friday night, but Rowe said that emotions go the best of him.
“I wish to make an unreserved apology to Crows GM of media Ian Shuttleworth — great fella, known him for years."
The Crows haven't been very clear in their reporting of injuries, which has seen Taylor Walker, Rory Sloane, Mitch McGovern and Matt and Brad Couch all sidelined this year. According to 5AA host Will Goodings, this communication breakdown was the reason for the shouting match.
“Ongoing tension between the Adelaide Football Club and sections of the media regarding accusations they haven’t been entirely transparent with reporting of injuries," Goodings told heraldsun.com.au.
The verbal bust-up can be heard below:
