Sports presenter Catherine Murphy has slammed media reporting around Conor McKenna’s positive COVID-19 test.
The Bombers defender tested positive last Saturday but has since returned multiple negative tests.
The issue was one of the big talking points of the last week, with both McKenna and the club itself the subject of intense media scrutiny.
Murphy called out multiple reports who questioned McKenna’s future in the game and where he may have acquired the virus.
She said some of the reporting around the issue “doesn’t even pass as journalism”.
“This is something that has made headlines in Ireland,” Murphy told ABC’s Offsiders.
“Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell said earlier this week that some reporters took liberties (around reporting) and that is an understatement.
“What we saw this week doesn’t even pass as journalism, some of the misreporting…and the encouraging thing was on Friday night one of the broadcasters called one of their colleagues out.
“We had another former player this week who basically wrote off Conor’s football career and said his suspension would be so long that he would go to Ireland without actually checking in with Conor. That is not good enough.
“What is even more disappointing is former players who champion the importance of mental health…you can’t champion it and then make someone’s life hell.
“If you’re going to make someone’s life hell, make sure you’ve got your facts straight. Conor is a strong, young 24-year-old but no one should have to be that resilient.”
McKenna is currently self-isolating for 14 days since the positive test and will be unavailable for Essendon’s clash against Collingwood on Friday night.
Teammate James Stewart was judged by the Department of Health and Human Services to be his only close contact and is also currently in self isolation.