Channel 7 commentators have poked fun at Fox Footy’s surprise decision to ban the use of nicknames during AFL match broadcasts.
The unusual directive, introduced this month, has already become a talking point among fans and industry insiders.
It means Fox Footy callers must now refer to each other by their first names instead of long-used nicknames.
The change was quickly picked up by viewers, with many taking to social media to voice their disbelief.
Several commentators across both networks also discussed the ban on radio.
On Thursday night, Channel 7 saw an opportunity to have a cheeky dig.
Channel 7 commentators continued to call St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt ‘Rooey’ after Fox Sports announced it would be banning nicknames
Before the Bulldogs’ clash with the Giants, the broadcast graphic proudly displayed the nicknames of the 7AFL team.
BT [Brian Taylor], Hame [Hamish McLachlan], Hodgey [Luke Hodge] and Rooey [Nick Riewoldt] all appeared on screen.
Taylor went one step further in his introduction before the first bounce.
‘Good to have Hodgey, Hame, Nick and all the boys here for this one on a Thursday night,’ he said.
The move did not go unnoticed by fans on social media.
‘@7AFL taking the time to introduce their commentary team by their nicknames is elite s***housery,’ one posted.
Another wrote: ‘BT and Channel 7 immediately mocking the silly Fox Football (not Footy) ban on nicknames for their commentators.’
A third added: ‘Very good from @7AFL going over the top on nicknames to start tonight in response to @FOXFOOTY nickname ban.’
Collingwood great and Channel 7 stalwart Brian ‘BT’ Taylor will not be shedding his nickname anytime soon
Fox Sports commentators had to adopt the new policy starting from Thursday night’s clash between the Western Bulldogs and GWS
Fox Footy’s policy has raised eyebrows within the AFL community.
Kane Cornes brought up the matter on SEN with Fox colleague David King.
‘It sounds awkward. I’m sure we’ll get used to it,’ Cornes said.
‘But what’s happened? Was this an all-of-staff meeting? Was it a memo?’
King admitted the directive was ‘a bit of a shock to the system’.
‘You just get told by your fellow workmates, we’re going with first names,’ King explained.
‘It does sound funny, doesn’t it? ‘I would think I was born ‘Kingy’. I don’t know why they wasted their time putting David on my birth certificate.’
Jason Dunstall suggested there were ‘considerations that perhaps we’re being a little bit too in-house’ for viewers.
Channel 7 and SEN commentator Kane Cornes said it would take a bit of getting used to hearing the rival broadcasters use each other’s first names
Fox Sports commentator and AFL Hall of Famer Jason Dunstall agreed that perhaps they had previously been a bit too ‘in-house’ when chatting with each other on air
Damian Barrett replied: ‘Please I hope no one ever at Triple M says we can’t use nicknames. Because you are ‘The Chief’ and you always will be in my eyes.’
Garry Lyon said hearing his full name felt strange.
‘I felt like I was in trouble with my parents every time,’ he said.
‘I am a nicknamer. I’m a nickname giver and I’m a nickname user.
‘For me to call Jason Dunstall, Jason, on Friday night was one of the more difficult things I’ve had to do.’
Fox Footy’s list of well-known nicknames is long and familiar to fans.
‘Joey’ for Leigh Montagna, ‘Bucks’ for Nathan Buckley, ‘Dicko’ for Ben Dixon, and ‘Huddo’ for Anthony Hudson are just a few.
Others include ‘Howie’ for Mark Howard, ‘Chief’ for Jason Dunstall, ‘Derm’ for Dermott Brereton, and ‘Browny’ for Jonathan Brown.
Many of these have been used since the players’ AFL careers began. For some, they have become part of their on-air identity.
AFL personality Dan Gorringe expressed his disapproval in blunt terms.
‘The country is built on nicknames,’ he said on TikTok.
‘This is going to be so not right having no nicknames being thrown around tomorrow night and going forward.’
Fans echoed the sentiment, with one writing: ‘Seriously what is this nonsense. Who cares what they call each other?’
Another added: ‘Don’t think I’ve been more lost on a decision in recent weeks than I am with @FOXFOOTY not allowing commentators to use nicknames.’
