Radio presenter Bridget Hustwaite has hit back at her AFL playing ex Oscar McDonald as the break-up between the pair turns messy.
While neither party has previously confirmed the split, the signs were evident to internet sleuths with the pair unfollowing each other and photos being deleted.
On Friday however the clearest sign was delivered when the AFL journeyman delivered a not-so-subtle swipe at his former partner.
McDonald took to Instagram to upload an image of himself out for dinner with a group of mates with the caption: “30 tough age apparently”.
Followers were quick to link the Fremantle player’s caption to the book written by Hustwaite titled Figuring out 30.
On Sunday, Hustwaite responded to the storm created by the post as she called out her former partner’s “bullying” and “disrespect”.
“I ended my relationship last year for the reasons that are really serious to me,” she said.
“For me, it’s much more serious and it’s not just airing dirty laundry.”
The 34-year-old best selling author, who was recovering from having a ruptured cyst removed in hospital, said she felt the need to speak out over McDonald’s behaviour, even calling on the Dockers to do better.
“I thought I was in for quite a peaceful day of recovery, but I’ve been sent articles throughout the day of some social media posts that I can’t access, because I have this person blocked on socials,” Hustwaite explained.
“I was going to ignore it because I don’t like how this kind of conversation and topic can be trivialised for online consumption, regarding relationships.
“But I also can’t really just sit back and allow like blatant bullying and disrespect of me and my work.
“If you work in a public facing role, and especially if you represent a brand organisation, a sporting club, this is not a good look on you, on who you work for, and it’s just mean.
“I would suggest focusing on your profession instead of taking a swipe at mine.
“I don’t know why a birthday post had to be turned into just taking swipes at me, but, you know, not surprised.
“I just wanted to stand up for myself, because when you’re working in a public capacity, this just is not a good look for you and for many other people.
“I hope to have a more peaceful recovery and continue having like a really amazing year, regardless of this past week and these health things that have popped up for me. I’ll be writing more, which I’m sure will be further ridiculed, but that’s okay. I’m really happy with where I am.”
Hustwaite then shared a previous post to her Instagram stories on invalidation, the post was accompanied by Taylor Swift’s song The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived.
The Herald sun reports the couple had been in a relationship for around 10 years, meeting back when McDonald played for Melbourne where he started his career in 2015.
They both packed up and moved across the country in 2023 when McDonald signed with Fremantle. Hustwaite however has since returned to Melbourne.
Since joining the Dockers, the defender only appeared in eight games over the past two seasons.
He has so far played in the opening two games to start the season. While the Dockers are currently 1-1, the off-field drama is overshadowing McDonald’s on-field accomplishments.
