Private text messages between Luke Sayers and his estranged wife sent in the aftermath of a public scandal show the former Carlton Football Club president told Cate Sayers no one thought she had posted a picture of his penis to social media.
This claim contradicts what the Supreme Court of Victoria earlier heard, when Luke Sayers allegedly told the football club and the AFL in a confidential affidavit distributed on or about January 22, 2025, that Cate was behind the photo being posted to his X account, and was mentally unwell and failing to take her medication.
The text messages, released by the court on Wednesday, suggest the pair contacted each other on January 22 and 23, 2025, in the aftermath of football media announcements regarding the lewd post.
At the time, Cate Sayers was in Europe.
Luke: I’ve left Carlton just announced … on way to Pisa x
Cate: Wondered why I just received a swuillion messages from people in oz. I don’t like the last line – everyone now thinks I posted it “someone who has access to his account”
Luke: No they don’t … I was very clear about pursuing this hack privately from this day forward …which I am on
Cate: No luke – read the media. You are once again cleared – you looked after yourself well but your media people have left it on me – thanks
In the exchange, Luke Sayers maintains he could not have been clearer in the statement that a hacker was likely behind the post and not his wife. Cate Sayers, however, remained firm that she believed “the world” thought she was responsible.
Upon landing in Italy, Luke Sayers told Cate his heart is breaking that she is upset, that he loves her, and that no one thinks in any way she did it, telling her they must both ignore the media.
Luke: Just got here … where can I meet you babe? Lady downstairs says you are not here?? Where r u … will come find you. Sorry plane delayed
Cate: No. I am furious with you. I need space. Find another hotel.
Luke: Please cate … where r u? My heart is breaking that you are so angry. I have just given up work, Carlton, realised that I f—ed up 5 years ago and made the wrong call … want to right the wrongs. I love you.
Cate: You saved yourself and again dumped me right in it as the person who accessed your account. Read the media narrative. I am gutted and don’t think I can ever return to Australia now.
Luke Sayers replied that he was hacked, telling his wife that suggesting she did it was “bulls—” and likened it to allegations that he was involved in an injury former premier Daniel Andrews suffered in 2021 while on holiday.
Luke: I was hacked. I’ve said it repeatedly. It’s like bs I pushed Dan Andrews down the stairs … its [sic] all crap. The bottom line is we are together, we are one, and we are re setting how it should have been five years ago. I love you. Pls can we meet now for a coffee to talk through.
Earlier this month, legal representatives for Luke Sayers applied to have Cate Sayers’ defamation lawsuit moved from the Supreme Court of Victoria to a federal court, where the matter could be privately heard in the family division.
The court heard one person’s word against another would be the central issue in the court battle between the estranged couple after a photograph of Luke Sayers’ penis was posted on his X account for 13 minutes in January 2025.
He was subjected to an investigation by the AFL integrity unit following the post, for which he provided a statutory declaration outlining how he claimed it had occurred.
Cate Sayers denies that she posted the photo and that she had mental illnesses she failed to take medication for. She says both claims have breached her confidentiality and damaged her public profile.
She maintains that in 2025, a confidential statutory declaration was sent to various people involved in or associated with the AFL in Victoria, NSW and Queensland by Luke Sayers containing the falsehoods.
This action, she alleges, caused serious harm to her reputation from a breach of confidence and was an invasion of her privacy. She wants the case to remain in the Supreme Court, where the public and press can attend, in hopes of being “vindicated”.
In his defence, Luke Sayers admits to sending the document to the AFL’s general counsel, Stephen Meade, and barrister Christopher Townshend, KC, who was assisting the Carlton Football Club, but denies there was more widespread publication.
Justice Andrew Watson will give his decision on where the matter should be heard at a later date.
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