Disgraced AFL footy reporter Tom Morris gets his nose and cheekbone broken in shocking incident

Polarising sports journalist Tom Morris won’t be playing club footy with his mates anytime soon after breaking his nose and cheekbone in a shocking clash last weekend.

The incident unfolded when the former Fox Footy reporter was playing suburban AFL for the Old Melburnians Football Club on Saturday.

Morris was collected by the hip of an opponent and had to be helped off the ground by trainers, blood streaming from his face. 

He was later taken to hospital when he was diagnosed with a broken nose, broken cheekbone and concussion.

Morris is set to have further surgery next week and has told friends his days of chasing a Sherrin are over.

Morris, 31, was sacked by Fox Sports last March after a number of lewd messages were leaked from a WhatsApp group chat – they involved his former colleague Megan Barnard

The 31-year-old was sacked by Fox Sports in March last year after a series of ‘disgusting and disgraceful’ messages were leaked from a WhatsApp group chat.

An internal investigation determined Morris had ‘crossed a line’ when talking about former colleague Megan Barnard.

A second leaked clip heard Morris make disparaging comments about women, Asians, black people and homosexuals.

‘To the lads on tier four, I’m not Asian, I’m not black, I’m not a woman, I’m not gay. So don’t treat me like s**t,’ Morris said in the clip.

‘I’m a man with a heart and I’ve got feelings.’

Steve Crawley, Fox Sports Executive Director, had no choice but to move Morris on.

SEN boss Craig Hutchinson (pictured) offered Morris his first role in the sports media industry since he was sacked for his vulgar comments in March of 2022

‘Our culture at Fox Sports is based on a respectful, inclusive environment and a fair go for all,’ Crawley said following Morris’s departure.

‘While Tom’s journalism has made a valuable contribution to Fox Sports across seven years, the messages we became aware of crossed the line. It was unacceptable.

‘We love what we do, and we have a reputation as a great place to work. The bottom line is we are committed to a work environment where everyone can come to work in the knowledge they are safe, respected and valued. 

‘We have zero-tolerance for anything less than that.’

Amid plenty of controversy, Morris spent time overseas before he returned to the media in March via SEN Radio, where he co-hosts Sunday Crunchtime with former Fox Footy colleague Sarah Olle.

In May, Morris broke the news to footy fans on Twitter that three-time premiership-winning coach Damien Hardwick was leaving Richmond effective immediately.