7News AFL reporter Mitch Cleary kissed Collingwood staffer… as his famous wife goes nuclear: You’ve seen her viral post. Now, insiders tell LUCY MANLY what really happened

Sources have revealed what really happened between high-profile Channel Seven sports journalist Mitch Cleary and a female Collingwood staffer after his wife sensationally called him out on social media.

Kate Watts, who is a well-known horse racing commentator in her own right, took to Instagram on Sunday evening to share a photo of Cleary at a football game next to a sign declaring him the ‘GOAT’, or ‘greatest of all time’. 

However, Watts’ accompanying caption – naming a Magpies employee and accusing her of being involved with her husband – is now setting group chats ablaze and is the talk of the AFL and Melbourne media.

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 identified the Collingwood employee in her post, which was deleted after about an hour. The Mail has chosen not to name or picture her.

Earlier on Tuesday, sources told the Mail that the kiss occurred during a media junket.

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.’

Channel Seven declined to comment. 

Watts herself hails from AFL royalty, with both of her brothers having played professionally.

Her older brother, Fergus Watts, played for St Kilda and Adelaide, while her younger brother, Jack, played for Adelaide and Melbourne.

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’.

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, with both of her brothers having played professionally. 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

‘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.