Eddie McGuire's son caught up in ugly storm after dramas surrounding Cruz Hewitt
A leading sports psychologist has told Yahoo Sport Australia of the extra hurdles that people like Xander McGuire and Cruz Hewitt have to overcome to make a name for themselves in the shadow of their famous parents. McGuire was targeted by some awful comments on Saturday when he was announced as a new host of 'The Round So Far' program on the AFL website for 2025.
The son of former Collingwood president and legendary sports broadcaster Eddie McGuire, Xander will join Kate McCarthy, Riley Beveridge and Josh Gabelich on the popular weekly show for the new AFL season. The 21-year-old McGuire is considered a rising star in the sports media landscape, and won the Clinton Grybas Rising Star Award at the Australian Football Media Association awards last September.
He's also landed a job on Channel 7 for 2025 and will reportedly appear on prime-time broadcasts as well as on the network's multiple talk shows. But ugly claims of 'nepotism' have dogged Xander's rise through the footy media landscape, and it was the same on Saturday.
The news of his new role on 'The Round So Far' was met with some nasty comments on social media, leading Rhett Bartlett (son of AFL legend Kevin) to respond: "The criticism some are posting here for Xander is unwarranted. Easy to bag him cause of famous surname (trust me, I should know). Despite your nepotism arguments, one still has to be passionate, strong work ethic and good at your job and the fact he's into his 5+yr proves that."
I had an incredible bias against him when he started, but credit where it's due - Xander is already a better presenter than his old man. Perfect delivery every single time.
— Drew Morphettville (@Goldenjocks) February 15, 2025
Agree! I think he presents extremely well in his TV segments and he's clearly a hard-working and diligent young man. Good on him, I reckon!
— Matt Gartside (@MattGart76) February 15, 2025
The situation surrounding Xander is similar to what Cruz Hewitt has had to endure in recent months. There were claims of nepotism when the 16-year-old was granted a wildcard into the Australian Open qualifying tournament, and more when he lost in the first round.
Many suggested Cruz had been given preferential treatment because of famous father Lleyton, but Todd Woodbridge later denied those claims categorically. "Cruz is in these positions because he is a very good, talented young player and one of our best here in Australia," Woodbridge said.
'He deserves every opportunity he has got to be there. Some people would like to say otherwise. I know you (Lleyton) have to deal with that and you shouldn't have to, so I am putting it out there - he deserves to be there.'
Respected sports psychologist Alan Mantle has worked with a number of Australia's finest sportsmen and women and is acutely aware of the challenges facing the children of former superstars. He recently told Yahoo Sport Australia: "Nepotism is a very hurtful word. I believe anyone who plays at that top level has got there on their own merits.
"I'd be very surprised if favours were being done for sons or daughters of famous parents. What I would say to Cruz (and Xander) is that when he hears that word (nepotism) he needs to think it's just what someone is saying about you, but it doesn't mean it is you.
"It's reputation versus character. Character is what you form about yourself and a reputation is something that other people form about you. The white noise is always going to be there for him and that's something he won't be able to control. But he can control how he is going to process it and filter it. He has already shown a great deal of resilience to get where he is and that will hold him in good stead into the future."
Mantle's message is simple. "Don't let other people's expectations define you. They're external factors you have no control over," he said. "The name and people's comparisons to your famous mother or father is not going to go away – it's how you choose to handle it. Use your father or mother's ability and talent to help model you as an individual but don't copy. It's about finding what works best for you as an individual and doing something you love."
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