AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has given Dane Swan some not so helpful adivce in the aftermath of the alleged sex tape scandal which has rocked the former Collingwood star.
A 'devastated' Dane Swan went to police yesterday after a video allegedly began to circulate on social media of the 34-year-old, although he denied it was a sex tape.
The six-second video of Swan is rumoured to be "revenge porn" according to Swan and potentially could date back to when he was playing for the Pies.
Victorian Police confirmed the video had been released without consent and the Criminal Investigation Unit were handling the complaint.
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McLachlan told 3AW Mornings that it was a breach of Swan's privacy but was also critical of the position Swan got himself in.
"I think everyone should have their privacy respected and if something like this comes out, it needs to be with consent, I think that's clear," McLachlan said.
“Just don’t get yourself in that situation.
“I know that’s challenging and people do what they do, but ultimately, that’s all you can do.”
The boss of the league also said there were a number of education programs for players across the competition.
However, the AFL chief executive's comments immediately drew criticism including from Tony Shaw.
The former Collingwood legend disagreed that Swan was at fault and judged McLachlan over his lack of support for the premiership winner.
“Totally inappropriate and unwarranted from Gil,” Shaw said.
“This wasn’t Swanny’s fault, at all.
“He should have supported him like he would have if you reversed the roles – male and female.”
Swan retired in 2016 due to a serious foot and ankle injury suffered in round one after 258 AFL games.
He also won the 2011 Brownlow Medal and was a premiership winner with the Pies in 2010.
