Chris Scott apologises after outburst over visually impaired reporter leaves staffer in tears

Geelong Cats coach Chris Scott personally apologised to a junior female AFL staffer after an aggressive outburst following the club’s qualifying final win over Brisbane on September 5, Australian media reported.

Club officials and AFL representatives discussed the incident with Scott, who later phoned the staffer to offer a personal apology after she was left in tears, according to media reports. The outburst has since been linked to Scott being "triggered" by the presence of visually impaired reporter Matt Lee at the press conference.

Matt Lee, who is legally blind and works for Vision Australia Radio and has previously worked in commercial radio, said he was surprised and upset to learn his presence had sparked the incident. "I was a little bit shocked and sad to hear about it, to be honest," Lee told News Corp. "I must admit, I am a bit rattled by it. It's just really disappointing that someone would say something like that behind my back."

Lee said he had previously experienced a run-in with Brad Scott, coach of the Essendon Bombers, when Brad questioned whether one of Lee's interventions was "a question or a statement". Lee said he believed the exchange came from a lack of understanding about his vision impairment and said he continued to seek greater inclusion for people with disabilities in the sports media environment. "From the AFL perspective, they say that they are inclusive and diverse, well, you've got to be inclusive and diverse all the time, not just when you want to be," he said. "I suppose they are the barriers that I am trying to break down. The condition that I have is hereditary and I've had this all my life — and my vision over the last few years has deteriorated but I still have a passion and feel that I have a right to be a part of the media landscape and participate. That's what I want to do and I have the skills to do it."

Geelong confirmed discussions took place involving club chief executive Steve Hocking and AFL officials, and Scott made contact with the staffer to apologise, according to the reports. The club did not publicly disclose further disciplinary action or outcomes from the internal discussions.

The incident came amid a turbulent week for Geelong. On the same day as the post-match press conference, footage emerged of player Bailey Smith swearing and making an obscene gesture toward a female photographer during an open training session. Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson described the sequence of events as "a very poor week for the Geelong Football Club," saying the club had allowed unacceptable behaviour to occur. Wilson also criticised Smith’s apology to the photographer, which she said had been issued by text message rather than delivered in person or by phone.

The revelations have prompted wider questions about media access and conduct at AFL events, and about how clubs and officials manage interactions between players, coaches and media representatives with disabilities. The AFL has previously emphasised inclusion and access as priorities, but the recent incidents have drawn scrutiny from journalists and advocacy groups.

Lee, who said he has worked in radio for about 30 years, told reporters he remained committed to his work despite the episode and would continue covering the game. He said he was not seeking to escalate the matter but hoped the situation would prompt better awareness and understanding of disability among those working in and around the sport.

Geelong and the AFL did not immediately provide detailed public comment on any investigatory steps or outcomes beyond confirming the apology and internal discussions. The club faces continuing public and media attention as it prepares for the coming stages of the finals series.