Volkswacht Bodensee - Bisexual ex-Australian Rules player praised for 'courage and bravery'

AFL traces its roots back to 1858 and is Australia's most popular spectator sport, but it has long been scarred by homophobia and racism.

"I played in the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles, and I'm a bisexual man," Brown, 36, told youth-focused publication The Daily Aus on Wednesday.

He played 94 games for the Perth-based Eagles between 2007 and 2016 and said his bisexuality was a "huge factor" in his retirement aged 28.

"I didn't really believe it, to be completely honest, when I first saw it," former women's AFL player Kate McCarthy, who is openly gay, told local radio.

"It shouldn't take courage for someone to tell people who you really are. It shouldn't, but it does. It takes immense courage and immense bravery."

West Coast Eagles called their former defender "courageous".

"His honesty about his experiences reminds us that we all have work to do in creating truly inclusive and welcoming spaces within our game across the country," the club said.

Brown's announcement was also met with resounding support from the club's fans.

"As a fan I want to see more of those stories," one of them, Kasey Symons, told national broadcaster ABC.

"That is where real hope, pride and joy come from."

- 'Admiration and respect' -

Some of the support was accidentally sent to another former AFL player called Mitch Brown, who played for Geelong, Essendon and Melbourne between 2011 and 2022.

"Some people have reached out to me under the impression that I was the one who made that announcement and I just want to make sure the praise and encouragement is going to the right person," he posted on social media.

"That said, I have nothing but admiration and respect for him. His openness is an important step in making our game and community a safer, more inclusive place for everyone."

Brown hoped his decision to come out would allow others to follow his lead in a sport he said was played in a "hyper-masculine environment".

Australian Rules came under renewed scrutiny last week when Adelaide's Izak Rankine was banned for four matches for a homophobic slur against an opponent.

He was the sixth player banned for similar incidents in the past 16 months.

Brown said he became good at hiding parts of himself, not just his sexuality but also "my anxiety, my worries in life, I could bury them so deep".

"It was never once an opportunity to speak openly or explore your feelings or questions in a safe way," he said.

C.Kreuzer--VB