Sam Newman slammed for remarks seen as ‘kicking a puppy’

Sam Newman has come under fire for comments slamming a beloved AFL player during Thursday night’s Telethon episode.

His comments, which attracted boos from his audience and a widespread shaming via social media, were also refuted by the former Geelong player’s co-hosts.

Some likened the AFL Footy Show host’s comments to ‘kicking a puppy’ and others noted it was nothing new to see angry viewers rage on social media about Newman on any given Friday. 

Sam Newman drew the ire of his audience and social media users around the country with comments made on Thursday’s three-hour special of the AFL Footy Show

Sam Newman’s comments slammed Western Bulldogs captain Bobby Murphy for getting up on stage after his team were the shock winners of the premiership last year.

The controversial host of the AFL Footy show argued the club captain should not have taken the stage after the game because he had not played due to an injured knee.

As the panel discussed the upcoming final, Newman could not resist sharing his opinion on the beloved – and newly retired – Bobby Murphy. 

‘The only bonus if they don’t get to the final, they won’t have to go through the charade of finding a premiership medal for Bobby Murphy for not playing in the grand final,’ he said.

Murphy was invited onto the winners podium by coach Luke Beveridge, despite not being able to play in the game.  

Newman said former Western Bulldogs captain should not have been invited up to the winner's podium at the 2016 AFL Grand Final 

Newman said former Western Bulldogs captain should not have been invited up to the winner’s podium at the 2016 AFL Grand Final 

Bobby Murphy was the club captain at the time, but sat the game out due to a knee injury

Bobby Murphy was the club captain at the time, but sat the game out due to a knee injury

‘Get out of the way Bobby, let the real heroes take the credit,’ Newman said, to the groans of co-hosts Eddie McGuire and Erin Molan.

‘Let the players who actually won the thing take the credit.’

It wasn’t just the other panelists that disapproved of the media personality’s comments. 

As they were shared widely online on Friday, viewers took to social media to slam the retired Geelong player, many comparing Newman slamming Murphy to ‘kicking a puppy’. 

‘I hear Sam Newman targeted Bob Murphy as producers wouldn’t let him kick a live puppy on air,’ wrote Mark Williamson.

Bobby Murphy was defended fiercely on social media, with viewers likening Sam Newman's comments to 'kicking a puppy'

Bobby Murphy was defended fiercely on social media, with viewers likening Sam Newman’s comments to ‘kicking a puppy’

Australian musician Urthboy and comedian Wil Anderson suggested those who were on Newman’s side in the argument were no better, if not worse ‘than parents who fight [umpires] at kids games’.

Though the feedback was mostly negative, some agreed with the controversial television host.

His initial comments on the AFL Footy Show were met with a mix of boos and cheers from the audience.

But there was no confusion when cricketing legend Shane Warne chimed in to bring Newman down a peg.

‘How many premierships did you play in?,’ he asked.

Stammering for a moment, Newman quickly responded: ‘Like him, none’, to the rousing cheers of the crowd. 

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