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[Tea · Sports media] "Channel 7" shot up Google Trends Australia this week (5000+) because of a story about one of its own reporters rather than a match. Here's what has been reported about Mitch Cleary and Kate Watts, in order.
Who they are Mitch Cleary is Channel Seven's chief AFL reporter. Kate Watts is a Racing.com presenter and commentator. According to the Daily Mail and Nine, the couple had been together for about five years, got engaged in February 2024 and welcomed a daughter in February 2026.
The kiss Reports say that in November 2025, during an overseas off-season trip, Cleary kissed a Collingwood staff member at a night out. Watts was pregnant at the time. A Collingwood source told the Daily Mail: "A consensual kiss took place during personal time on an off-season trip last year. The staff member regrets the incident and apologises for the impact their actions caused." According to the Herald Sun, as cited by the Daily Mail, the two had met for the first time on that trip. We aren't naming the staff member.
How it came out In early September, Watts posted on Instagram, naming a club staffer in her caption, and deleted the post about an hour later, the Daily Mail reported.
The apology On September 1, Cleary posted a statement: "The kiss was a terrible error in judgement 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." The next day he went back on air, and on his podcast "The Tradies" he called it "a really bad error in judgement on a night out last year." He told the Herald Sun his "only concern" was winning back his fiancée's trust. Sources close to Seven said he would face no further action.
The split Now the Daily Mail reports, citing sources in Victorian horse-racing circles, that the pair are "done." It says Watts has unfollowed Cleary on Instagram, although he still follows her. Neither has publicly confirmed the split, so for now it's reported, not announced.
What we're leaving out We aren't repeating the claims Cleary says are inaccurate, and we aren't naming anyone other than the couple. We'll update this if either of them comments.