Sayers text messages may contradict other account of nude photo scandal
Private text messages sent between Luke Sayers and his estranged wife following a public scandal show the former Carlton Football Club chairman telling Cate Sayers that no one thought she had shared a picture of his penis on social media.
That claim contrasts with what the Victorian Supreme Court previously heard when Luke Sayers allegedly told the football club and the AFL in a confidential statement circulated on or about January 22, 2025, that Cate was behind the photo posted to account X and that he was mentally unwell and unable to take his medication.
Text messages released by the court on Wednesday suggest the pair contacted each other on January 22 and 23, 2025, following football media announcements about the sexually explicit exchange.
Cate Sayers was in Europe at the time.
Luke: Just announced I’m leaving Carlton… on my way to Pisa x
Cate: I wondered why I was getting so many messages from people in Oz. I didn’t like the last line; now everyone thinks I posted this as “someone with access to your account”
Luke: No, they don’t… I’ve been very clear about pursuing this hack specifically from today onwards…
Cate: No Luke, read the media. Once again you are vindicated – you took good care of yourself but your media people left it to me – thank you
In this exchange, Luke Sayers stated that he could not be clearer than that when he said that a hacker, not his wife, was probably behind the post. But Cate Sayers has been adamant that she believes “the world” thinks she is responsible.
When he landed in Italy, Luke Sayers told Cate that he was heartbroken, that he was sorry, that he loved her and that no one thought she did this, and told her that they should both ignore the media.
Luke: I just got here… where can I meet you baby? The lady downstairs says you’re not here? Ru… will come and find you. Sorry the plane was late
Cate: No. I’m angry with you. I need space. Find another hotel.
Luke: Please cat… where to? It breaks my heart that you’re so angry. I just quit my job, Carlton, 5 years ago I realized I gave up and made the wrong decision… I want to right the wrongs. I love you.
Cate: You saved yourself and dragged me into this again as the person who accessed your account. Read the media narrative. I’m heartbroken and I don’t think I can go back to Australia anymore.
Luke Sayers has said he was assaulted and said it was “bullshit” to suggest he did so to his wife, likening it to allegations that former prime minister Daniel Andrews was involved in an injury he suffered while on holiday in 2021.
Luke: I was attacked. I’ve said this many times. It’s like I pushed Dan Andrews down the stairs… [sic] It’s all nonsense. As a result, we are together, we are one, and we are redefining what we were five years ago. I love you. Can we please meet now for a coffee to talk?
Earlier this month, Luke Sayers’ legal representatives applied to have Cate Sayers’ defamation case moved from the Supreme Court of Victoria to a federal court where the matter could be heard privately in the family division.
The court heard one man’s word against the other will be the central issue in a court fight between the estranged couple after a photo of Luke Sayers’ penis was posted for 13 minutes on account X in January 2025.
Following the post, he was subject to an investigation by the AFL integrity unit, for which he made a legal declaration explaining how he claimed the incident occurred.
Cate Sayers denies sharing the photo and denies having mental illnesses for which she is not medicated. He says both allegations violate his privacy and damage his public profile.
It alleges that in 2025 a confidential legal statement containing falsehoods was sent by Luke Sayers to various individuals involved in or associated with the AFL in Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
He claims that this action caused serious damage to his reputation due to a breach of trust and was a violation of his privacy. He wants the case to remain in the Supreme Court, where the public and the press can attend, with the hope that he will be “vindicated”.
In his defence, Luke Sayers admits he sent the document to the AFL’s general counsel Stephen Meade and solicitor Christopher Townshend (KC), who is assisting the Carlton Football Club, but denies wider publication.
Judge Andrew Watson will make his decision on where the case should be heard at a later date.
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