Former West Coast Eagles defender Mitch Brown has become the first current or former male AFL player to come out as gay or bisexual, in a move he hopes will make others in the game feel seen.
The 36-year-old, who played 94 matches for the Eagles between 2007 and 2016, revealed he identifies as bisexual and is in a long-term relationship with a woman.
Brown told The Daily Aus that speaking publicly during his playing career would have been far more difficult but he now wants to help shift the culture of the game.
“Maybe a second person [comes out], and then the third… You may be playing with someone who’s in the queer community. Empathy is powerful,” he said.
AFL’s culture under scrutiny
The announcement comes just a week after Adelaide’s Izak Rankine was handed a suspension for using a homophobic slur — the latest in a string of such incidents. While penalties have been imposed, many argue they have failed to address the deeper cultural issues of homophobia in men’s AFL.
Brown said his decision was about creating change:
“What matters to me most is a sense of change, [creating] a movement where players can be anyone and be safe in any environment.”
Career and reflection
Brown, who grew up in Ballarat and was drafted at pick 16 in 2006, debuted the following year and played for a decade before finishing with an elimination final against the Western Bulldogs in 2016.
He admitted he had “buried” questions about his sexuality during his playing years, describing the AFL as a “hyper-masculine” environment where homophobic language was so common it became part of everyday conversation.
“There have been so many times in my life I’ve seen things or heard things and not said anything… in fear of people thinking I was gay or bisexual.”
Brown said he feels compassion for those still playing, noting that speaking out is easier for him as a past player.
“I don’t have to run out there at the MCG in front of 80,000 fans next week… and fear the comments being thrown at me.”
Reaction
The news has been met with widespread support across social media. The AFL Players’ Association described Brown’s announcement as “powerful”, while the GWS Giants posted a heart emoji in solidarity. Fans also flooded his posts with messages of encouragement and gratitude.
