Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial: Inside the wild backstory behind a bizarre video of a Taylor Auerbach snapping his arch-enemy's golf clubs in half - any why he says you need to watch another strange clip to understand it

A former Channel Seven employee has told a court that footage of him smashing his boss's $2,000 golf clubs was actually a parody of another bizarre video featuring another Spotlight producer and a wet cloth.

Taylor Auerbach, an ex-producer at the network's Spotlight program, filmed himself late last year smiling while destroying a set of golf clubs belonging to his former colleague, Steve Jackson.

He uploaded the video on Instagram with the caption, 'Merry Christmas. Sue me', after the pair had a bitter fallout. 

Mr Auerbach was asked about the video in Federal Court on Thursday during Mr Lehrmann's defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson.

He was under cross-examination by Mr Lehrmann's barrister Matthew Richardson SC, who suggested the video was a display of 'hatred' towards Mr Jackson.

Mr Auerbach disagreed and said it was actually a parody of a video uploaded to social media by Spotlight's executive producer Mark Llewellyn, telling the court: 'It's important to watch them side-by-side.'

The court did not play the clips in tandem. However, Daily Mail Australia has exclusively obtained a copy of Mr Llewellyn's original video.

The 18-second clip was overlayed with Boney M's 1978 hit Rivers of Babylon, and showed Mr Llewellyn standing under an outdoor awning while wringing a wet cloth.

Mr Llewellyn appeared sweaty and exhausted as he grimaced and strained while twisting the rag.

Once finished, he panted and gave a thumbs-up.

A man in the background appeared to pay no attention to the strange scene.

Daily Mail Australia understands the video was filmed after a tennis match between Mr Llewellyn and the other man.

In court on Thursday, Mr Auerbach was asked whether he 'particularly hated' Mr Jackson.

'Yes,' Mr Auerbach admitted.

The video of Mr Auerbach destroying Mr Jackson's golf clubs was played in court. 

Mr Richardson said: 'You make those expressions and you tell the court that you aren't displaying hatred for Mr Jackson.'

Mr Auerbach replied: 'That is my evidence.'

Mr Richardson said his evidence was 'ridiculous'.

During the hearing on Thursday, it became clear that part of the reason Mr Auerbach resented Mr Jackson was because he was promoted.

He also 'partly' blamed Mr Jackson when Channel Seven didn't renew his contract.

Justice Michael Lee reopened the defamation case on Tuesday after Network Ten successfully argued there was new evidence from Mr Auerbach that was not available during the trial in December.

Mr Auerbach was on the team at Spotlight when it secured exclusive interviews with Mr Lehrmann, which aired in June and August last year.

It was during those two interviews that classified information from Mr Lehrmann's failed criminal trial in 2022 was broadcast on national television.

The confidential material included Ms Higgins' private texts and CCTV of her and Mr Lehrmann entering Parliament House before she was allegedly raped in March 2019.

Mr Lehrmann has denied leaking the material.

The hearing will continue on Friday.