TV newsreader misnames Isaac Quaynor while reporting on AFL booing

Channel Ten national affairs editor Hugh Riminton mispronounced Collingwood defender Isaac Quaynor's name as "Gaynor" during a live bulletin on 10 News+ while reporting on booing directed at Quaynor, an episode that has become part of a wider discussion about homophobic abuse in the AFL.

The boos came during Collingwood's win over Adelaide last Thursday night, when Quaynor was jeered each time he touched the ball. The treatment came after Crows player Izak Rankine was recorded using a homophobic slur toward Quaynor on August 16; Rankine was later suspended for four matches for the incident. The crowd reaction at Adelaide Oval has prompted criticism from players, commentators and fans.

While introducing the segment about the booing and the broader controversy, Riminton said: "Instead, wouldn't you know it, the AFL world is talking about the Crows fans who booed Isaac Gaynor, the most recent development in that ugly saga involving homophobia and bigotry, and a governing body that seems to be struggling to tackle it." The mispronunciation was picked up and shared widely on the social platform X.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae described the booing as "really disappointing." Broadcasters and former players also criticised the crowd behaviour. Channel Seven commentator Brian Taylor said on air, "I cannot believe this is happening. He [Quaynor] has done nothing wrong," while Channel Nine's Eddie McGuire said fans were "seething over different things" and noted they were "hoarse by the end of the night" from booing. Fox Sports commentator Sarah Jones said, "I don't think we need to do that. As a footy code, we're better than that."

The booing provoked a strong reaction online, where supporters of Quaynor described the treatment as unjust and called for the behaviour to be called out. A number of social media posts argued Quaynor was the victim of Rankine's slur and should not have been targeted by opposing fans.

Adelaide officials issued a statement saying they wanted members and fans to be "barracking and passionate," but added that they should do so respectfully and that behaviour contrary to that was "disappointing and not appropriate." Crows coach Matthew Nicks declined to comment directly on the crowd behaviour after the match. Adelaide ruckman and leadership group member Reilly O'Brien said the environment at the Oval had been "pretty hostile" and that fans sometimes cross the line, calling the treatment of Quaynor "disappointing."

The series of incidents — Rankine's slur, his subsequent suspension, the booing of Quaynor and the widespread attention to Riminton's on-air slip — have intensified scrutiny of how the AFL, clubs and broadcasters address homophobic language and crowd behaviour. The league has previously said it takes discriminatory language seriously and has processes for investigating and sanctioning players who breach its codes of conduct.

Riminton's mispronunciation added to a volatile week in which the issue of homophobia in the game remained a headline topic across media and among supporters, players and administrators. The broadcaster has not publicly corrected the slip on air in the moments after it was shared on social media.