Disaster for super-woke AFL legend Bob Murphy as his post-footy career suffers another big hit

AFL legend Bob Murphy might need to start looking for a new job after the latest radio ratings were revealed in Melbourne.

The ABC dropped from a 6.6 per cent audience share to just five per cent – meaning the writing is on the wall for the Western Bulldogs great.

Murphy, 43, has been on-air in the breakfast timeslot with Richelle Hunt, who is filling in while Sharnelle Vella remains on maternity leave.

After joining the ABC in November 2024, Murphy’s career on the airwaves has been colourful.

Last year he was slammed by an on-air rival for being ‘woke’ after he used a bizarre term to describe the AFL.

Murphy referred to the top-flight men’s competition as ‘AFLM’ in a newspaper column in a bid to separate it from the women’s league, commonly presented as AFLW.

3AW Mornings host Tom Elliott didn’t mince his words as he told listeners he believes Murphy was only using the term to draw attention to himself.

‘Does anybody else honestly want to call the AFL the AFLM?’ he asked.

‘In America, you have the NBA and then the WNBA, that works fine.

‘I think he [Murphy] is the only person who does this. He persists in calling the AFL the AFLM…  that is wokeness.’

Murphy again attracted unwanted headlines last May after he appeared to make a sexually charged comment about his female co-host live on air.

The retired footballer was presenting alongside award-winning reporter and co-host Vella when the crude comment was made.

Vella began to make a point about how some people may be unable to afford professional financial advice – and may look to social media for guidance on filing tax returns on their own.

She then made a reference to when she landed her first job out of high school.

Vella said: ‘I remember when I worked in retail many moons ago when I was still in high school…’

But Murphy quickly interjected, saying: ‘Not at Spearmint Rhino?’

Vella flatly responded by saying ‘No’ before pausing and continuing with her point. 

Spearmint Rhino is a strip club chain which has venues located in Australia, the UK and the US.

Murphy – a father of three – later issued a grovelling public apology.

‘I did make a comment that insinuated my colleague and co-host Sharnelle here worked at Spearmint Rhino, a well-known Melbourne strip club,’ he said.

‘Cutting straight to the point, it was not just a mistake, it was a gross and inaccurate offhand quip. 

‘I promised Sharnelle that I’d never disrespect her and I did break that promise… put simply, I’m really sorry.’

Vella’s response at the time did little to ease the tension.

‘Look, I won’t let you off the hook on it. It wasn’t okay,’ she said. ‘I appreciate your words, but we do move on.’