New details have emerged about the alleged incident involving prominent Channel Seven sports reporter Mitch Cleary and a female Collingwood staff member, after his fiancée publicly confronted the matter in a now-deleted social media post.
Kate Watts, a horse racing commentator, posted an image to Instagram on Sunday night showing Cleary at a football match beside a sign describing him as the “GOAT” — shorthand for “greatest of all time”.
But it was Watts’ caption, in which she named a Magpies employee and accused her of being involved with Cleary, that quickly became the subject of intense discussion across AFL circles and Melbourne media networks.
The post, which identified the Collingwood staffer, was removed after roughly an hour. The Mail has opted not to publish the woman’s name or image.
By Tuesday, sources had told the Mail the alleged kiss took place during a media junket.
Sources have revealed what really happened between high-profile Channel Seven sports journalist Mitch Cleary and a female Collingwood staffer after his fiancée Kate Watts sensationally called him out on social media
Watts, a horse racing commentator, took to Instagram on Sunday to share a photo of Cleary with a sign declaring him the ‘GOAT’, or ‘greatest of all time’. Watts’ caption, which we cannot repeat for legal reasons, is now setting group chats ablaze
Cleary is a recognisable face to Seven viewers. As 7News’ chief AFL reporter, he broke several stories relating to the Sydney Swans hotel scandal. (Pictured: the so-called ‘Pullman Five’ who were stood down: Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice)
A Collingwood insider subsequently told us that afternoon: ‘A consensual kiss took place during personal time in an off-season trip last year.
‘The staff member regrets the incident and apologises for the impact their actions caused.
‘Rumours circulating online stating that the staff member is a member of the media department are completely false.’
After the Daily Mail broke the story, Cleary released a statement apologising for his ‘terrible error in judgement’.
‘I am sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I have caused for all parties,’ he wrote on Instagram.
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‘The kiss was a terrible error in judgment for which I am incredibly sorry, and I am dealing with the consequences privately with my family and those closest to me.
‘I don’t want to diminish my actions, but most of what has been suggested about the circumstances is not accurate.’
Watts herself hails from AFL royalty – her younger brother, Jack, played for Adelaide and Melbourne.
Senior sources at both Seven and Collingwood confirmed to the Daily Mail that Cleary kissed a Pies employee during an off-season gathering. However, they categorically deny any affair took place, and the Daily Mail does not suggest otherwise
Watts hails from AFL royalty – her younger brother, Jack (left), played for Port Adelaide and Melbourne before retiring in 2020
Watts (seen trackside) is a journalist and presenter for Racing.com
Cleary is a recognisable face to Seven viewers. As chief AFL reporter for 7News, he broke several stories relating to the Sydney Swans hotel scandal.
One of his scoops was the revelation that, despite the club putting on a united front amid the controversy, there was a ‘strong level of resentment’ from teammates against the so-called ‘Pullman Five’.
‘Although you’ll hear over the coming days key personnel from the Swans say they’re supporting their teammates and wrapping their arms around these players, I understand there’s a strong level of resentment from their teammates,’ Cleary said on 7News.
‘This is a footy club that saw this year as one of redemption after two Grand Final defeats in the last four years. The players are severely upset and disappointed with their teammates over the situation the entire club now finds themselves in.’
Cleary had also revealed details about the events leading up to five Swans players hiring a trio of strippers to attend their hotel room in the early hours of Monday, August 17.
He confirmed that some of the players had been out for drinks at Harlow Bar in Richmond before the party continued at the Pullman East Melbourne.
Cleary and Watts, whose daughter was born in February, got engaged two years ago and have been together for about five years.