AFL player Mitch Brown has spoken out about his experience of nearly becoming involved in the manosphere, a collection of online communities that promote sexism and misogynistic views. The former West Coast Eagles player described his vulnerability to these online spaces in the period following his marriage breakdown in 2024.
Brown, who publicly came out as bisexual in August of the previous year, shared that the end of his relationship with netball star Shae Bolton-Brown left him feeling like a failure. He told The Guardian that his tendency to be a 'people pleaser' contributed to his lack of strong personal opinions, making him susceptible to the narratives he encountered online.
He explained that his world had become small after the marriage separation, increasing his reliance on online content. While not seeking overtly harmful advice, Brown recognized a "subtle thread of misogyny" woven through the content algorithmically presented to him. A significant warning sign, he noted, was finding himself agreeing with videos that criticized feminist figures like Abbie Chatfield, indicating a shift in his political views.
Brown credits his then-partner Lou Keck and ex-wife Shae Bolton-Brown with helping him break the cycle. He expressed being repulsed by some of his past beliefs and actions, acknowledging that both women, particularly Bolton-Brown, had every right to distance themselves but did not.
In March, Australia's e-safety Commissioner reported that nearly half of children aged 10 to 17 had encountered offensive or sexist content online. The Commissioner offered recommendations for parents to prevent children from engaging with such communities. Brown believes that interventions are necessary to counter the "lure of victimhood" that draws young men to these harmful online spaces.
"Rather than shaming these men, we need to sit alongside them, understand their pains and frustrations, and guide them to take accountability for their own lives, happiness and impact on others," Brown stated.
The 37-year-old, who played 94 games for the Eagles between 2007 and 2016, is now an advocate for gender equality and a campaigner against homophobia. He recently drew attention when he criticized the AFL for perceived pressure on queer players, following backlash over his attire at the league's Hall of Fame ceremony. Brown attended the event in a sleeveless mesh top, a choice that drew criticism and which he argued highlighted broader issues of inclusion and exclusion within the sport, contributing to the lack of openly queer male players in the AFL.