Disgraced AFL reporter Tom Morris gets a HUGE career boost by landing one of footy’s best jobs after being sacked over WhatsApp message scandal

Disgraced footy journalist Tom Morris is returning to television as Channel Nine’s chief reporter, less than two years after being sacked by Fox Sports for making shocking comments about women, Asians and gays.

Currently working at SEN, he will be joined on the Nine team by ex-Collingwood president Eddie McGuire’s son Xander, according to the Herald Sun.

The move is sure to sideline many footy fans after they lashed out in anger and disbelief when Morris won a prestigious award for his reporting in September.

He was sacked by Fox Footy in March 2022 after a leaked WhatsApp chat revealed he made disgraceful comments about his former colleague Megan Barnard when he revealed her sexuality.

The AFL journalist was fired by Fox Sports in March 2022 after disgraceful comments he made about his then colleague Megan Barnard (pictured) came to light.

In a separate leaked video, he made a series of racist, sexist and homophobic statements.

“To the guys at level four: I’m not Asian, I’m not black, I’m not female, I’m not gay. So don’t treat me like shit,” he said in the clip, which was also leaked from a WhatsApp group.

‘I’m a man with a heart and I have feelings.’

Morris was heavily criticized by AFL supporters when he won a gong at the Australian Football Media Association Awards on September 19.

SEN posted the news of Morris’ win – and that of his SEN colleague Gerard Whateley – in a social media post with a photo of the pair captioned: ‘HUGE congratulations to our very own @GerardWhateley and @tommorris32 for their wins at the AFMAs tonight. And a big congratulations to Tom for winning the prestigious Alf Brown Award as this year’s Best Overall Media Artist.”

The announcement unleashed a wave of anger among horrified football fans.

“Did Tom thank or even apologize to Megan Barnard in his acceptance speech? I can’t believe this could happen after what was said. Standards clearly don’t exist here,” one person commented.

Morris’ shocking comments were leaked less than 24 hours after he made national headlines when he was slammed by Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge during a press conference.

“The fact that Tom is getting an award shows how dirty the world of journalism really is,” wrote another.

‘How is it possible that Tom Morris still has a job in the media? Disgusting,” said a third fan.

Another commenter wrote: ‘Gerard, I hope no man ever talks about your daughters the way Tom talks about women. And that they never see your support for Tom as proof that they deserve it.’

As news of his job at Nine spread on Thursday, more fans were left furious.

“Talented, talented people can’t get ahead in the media circles, but we have to do backflips to rehabilitate Tom Morris because he has the right drinking buddies,” one person wrote.

‘Another reason why Channel 9 still never gets foot rights. Look who they employ,” wrote another on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Morris’ dismissal by Fox Sports came less than 24 hours after he made national headlines when he was slammed by Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge during his press conference following their first round loss to Melbourne last year.

Morris admitted his comments were “disgusting and disgraceful” when he apologized on social media shortly after his dismissal

Beveridge saw red and exploded at Morris over a report he made on the team, branding him an ’embarrassment’ during an icy exchange at the post-match press conference.

After being let go, Morris posted on social media.

“I would like to apologize unreservedly to everyone for my disgusting and disgraceful comments, which became public yesterday,” he wrote.

‘I am especially sorry to the person involved. No one should ever, in any place or at any time, be spoken of in that way.

‘I am deeply ashamed of my behavior. My comments were hurtful to many and I will now take the time to listen, learn and work to improve myself to ensure I become a better person. I’m really sorry to everyone.”