AFLW TV debate: Tiff Cherry says women aren’t getting a fair go

Tiffany Cherry says the decision to replace her with a male host on an AFLW program is symptomatic of Australia lagging behind when it comes to women in the media.

Cherry, a 3AW Football broadcaster, hosted the program on Channel Nine in its inaugural season last year.

But Clint Stanaway has taken the reins for the 2018 season of the show, which is produced by Craig Hutchison’s CrocMedia, prompting a strident Herald Sun opinion piece by Cherry.

Her article has divided football figures including AFLW star Daisy Pearce, who says putting women in all key media roles was counter-productive.

Cherry today told Tom Elliott she stands by the comments about gender inequality in the media, saying even a female co-host with Stanaway would’ve have been satisfactory.

“There are pockets of the industry that are very slow to change,” she said.

“I’ve worked in America, I’ve worked in the UK, and I can tell you that in Australia we are still significantly, very far behind.”

TIFF’S ASSESSMENT OF ROUND 1

Meanwhile, Cherry conceded the opening round of the AFLW season was at times underwhelming.

Only five goals were kicked in Carlton’s season-opener win against Collingwood, prompting a debate about the quality of the competition.

“It was an improvement, but it wasn’t a significant improvement,” Cherry told Tom Elliott.

“I was really buoyed by the first half of Friday night’s game … but the second half was not good at all.

“What that comes down to, I don’t know.

“I think we should maybe bite our tongues a little bit for a couple of weeks.”