Sexy, Hard-Hitting Sports Journalism?

Say what you like about her, most people do, I think Caroline Wilson’s style of journalism is dead sexy. Her ability to engage in the male dominated arena that is AFL journalism turns me on. Wilson’s unprecedented abilities and the ease with which she continually delivers are incredible. Engaging in an elite level of AFL in any role is a tough gig (just ask Kim Duthie) and arguably tougher if you’re a woman. Wilson however, has made that world her own, shaping and transforming the game’s commentary.

Having been the chief football writer for The Age since 1999 and having won the AFL Players Association’s football writer of the year, the AFL Media Association’s most outstanding football writer and most outstanding feature writer, she has known no shortage of success. By breaking the mould and doing it with style, ease and journalistic prowess she has made headways for other women to break into male oriented sectors of society, both inside and outside journalism and AFL. Wilson’s writing is masterful, analytical and shows an in depth knowledge of the game. Critics will flaw her for never having played the game (a criticism saved for women in football), one rarely heard about the likes of Bruce McAvaney or Sandy Roberts. Growing up in an AFL family however, Wilson wouldn’t have had to play the game. She is ultra-capable with respect to understanding and engaging with AFL politics, which represents a large part of today’s game. Her father, Ian Wilson, was Richmond Football Club President between 1974 and 1985, so understanding the intricacies and dynamics of the game are second nature to her. Bright as a party strobe and sharp as a carving knife, Wilson appears as a panellist on Footy Classified and 3AWs pre match AFL discussion. Her commentary is enlightening and her confidence is supreme.

According to Rebecca Barr the former Sports Editor at WIN Television Townsville and current News Editor, “considering what Caroline Wilson has achieved in terms of respect as well as awards, there’s no doubt she has shown that women can do just as good a job as a man in a field that’s predominantly male oriented. I believe this is a trend that’s occurring not only in sports journalism but in many other occupations and in society in general. I believe, in the early stages of her career, it may have assisted Caroline to have a family history of involvement in AFL however her success stems from hard work, talent and making sure she knows her stuff!”

Barr goes on to say that sports journalism is still predominantly a male arena and that she doesn’t believe that perception will ever completely disappear. “If a male journalist makes an error it’s because he didn’t do his research… if a female journalist makes the same error it’s because she’s a woman!” declares Barr. “Having been a female working in this field I found that I had to prove I was serious about sport, loved sport, knew about sport and that I could also write about sport before I was truly accepted or taken seriously. I don’t believe a male would have had to endure the same initiation. Having said that, once I was considered one of ‘them’ it was like I’d been welcomed into ‘the family’. My favourite work of Caroline’s is to see her courageously letting fly with her opinions on the numerous footy panel shows she has been involved in, ” states Barr.

Whilst trying to promote Wilson for her courageous advances in the feminist arena it seems fickle and speculative to comment on appearance, which in the male arena does not make a difference. (Sorry Rex Hunt- I’m not looking at anyone in particular). That being said, the cameras do not favour the appearance of Wilson, in the same way as they do with her peers Samantha Lane or Christie Malthouse. However astonishingly, Wilson seems to have that extra ingredient which allows her to protrude this barrier. Also unlike her peers Wilson often sees it her role to actually put the boys back in their place. This is endearing of Wilson, in the same way it is of your mother, or mine. In many ways, this gives her an edge over the boys who at times seem to be quite intimidated by her prowess. Sam Newman favoured fondling a mannequin rather than actually confronting or conversing with his foe in a media spectacle which was aired on The Footy Show.

Some of Wilsons most infamous works including the reporting of the sordid Wayne Carey Affair, The Ricky Nixon scandal and breaking of news on The West Coast Eagles drug scandal combined with Ben Cousins related drama. Wilson always gives enough opinion to keep an article interesting whilst balancing facts with differing viewpoints. The results are invariably well researched, highly knowledgeable yarns which give outsiders, an insider standpoint. These allow readers to gain much coveted insights into the game she knows and loves.

Wilson continues to deliver quality content and commentary for the AFL, and will hopefully continue in this vein long into the future. She may never have played football, but unlike disgraced AFL player agent Ricky Nixon, Wilson rarely, if ever drops the ball. (Please, no pun intended.) She’s unreservedly feisty, talented, successful and paves the way for other women in a male dominated arena. What’s not to get turned on about? The affect Wilson has on me is one of love struck, star struck awe. Her very existence brings with it an uplifting notion that if the affectionately dubbed “Caro” can do it, maybe one day… someone like me could something like that too.