The issue of domestic violence has again reached the headlines — and the media is, correctly, holding the authorities to account over the status of critical reforms to ensure women’s safety.
But there is one more thing they could be doing. That we all could be doing.
The Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research’s 2018 report on the issue made it clear that there is a link between sport and domestic violence.
High-stakes NRL and AFL games, such as State of Origin matches and finals, are accompanied by a huge spike in domestic violence.
The sports’ governing bodies have addressed it on occasions, including in public service announcements about DV and bullying. But they could and should do more.
The media knows this is a problem and has editorialised about it. There are stories here, here, here and elsewhere.
But what the media pundits haven’t really done is change the way they frame discourse about sporting fixtures and, in particular, how they talk about football on television and radio and write about it in newspapers and online.
I asked an AI assistant to identify usage of violence-related terminology in recent match reports for NRL and AFL games.
It found widespread use of words such as war, bloodbath, battle, carnage, brutal, smashed, weapon, arsenal, firepower, whack and wrestle.
Games have been described as grudge matches, brawls, melees or feuds; a player is said to have a “killer instinct” or to “take no prisoners”; and teams have been annihilated, decimated, bludgeoned, demolished, mauled, slain or massacred.
These are charged words and they are used repeatedly, especially by commentators with limited vocabularies, poor imaginations and lots of airtime to fill.
This language helps some audiences view the game as a gladiatorial battle when it could be seen as a spectacle of strategy, camaraderie, athleticism, artistry and skill.
We enjoy other sports in this way, so why not football?
The message needs to be made clear: win or lose, it’s just a game. A loss can be a disappointment without being the impetus or excuse for violent behaviour.
When players are guilty of violent behaviour, on field or off, they should be banned unconditionally from the game and from media appearances. For life.
Media organisations should introduce style guides informing the way in which they write and speak about sport and provide training for columnists and commentators. They could run more PSAs.
It will take teamwork to achieve this, and it needs the authorities, the sporting bodies, the participants and the media to all be on the same side.
It will not, sadly, prevent domestic violence altogether and it would only be one part of a bigger response. But it could be an important step towards reshaping the public conversation about what is, and is not, admirable, heroic, entertaining and socially acceptable.
In an emergency, call 000. If you’re concerned about your own safety or someone else’s, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Men and boys who want support to have healthy, respectful relationships can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or Mensline on 1300 78 99 78.
Artists rally for Rhonda
Queensland’s entertainment community is rallying behind one of its own after a fire destroyed the family home of acclaimed performer, producer and mentor Rhonda Davidson-Irwin.
The Actors’ & Entertainers’ Benevolent Fund of Queensland (ABF Qld), along with Evoke Dance and Theatre Company and a passionate group of friends, has announced a spectacular fundraising cabaret that will celebrate Rhonda’s remarkable contribution to the arts while helping her family rebuild their lives.
Rhythms of Recovery will be held at the Brisbane Powerhouse at 4pm and 7pm on Saturday, August 15. Tickets are $60. Details are here.
ABF Qld president Michael Balk says the charity will match public donations up to $5,000.
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P.S.
Great minds…? Brisbane’s competing mastheads came up with the same line about visiting our new discount store so we don’t have to.
©2026 Brett Debritz. If I’ve inadvertently used copyrighted material, failed to give credit where it’s due, written or said something you disagree with, or otherwise upset or unexpectedly delighted you, please leave a comment, email me or connect with me at @debritz on X and Mastodon, @brettdebritz on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and BlueSky, and @radiobert on YouTube. Links provided as a courtesy; I take no responsibility for their contents or give any warranty of their veracity. Image: AI
Disclaimer: Brett Debritz would rather go to the circus than a violent sports event.