It’s been a busy few months since the close of the 2024 footy season for Australian television broadcasters.
Plenty of change has been taking place in what’s been a pretty seismic television reshuffle, with some iconic commentators and pundits leaving their respective stables, while others have jumped ship to rival networks.
With Channel Seven making waves in the broadcasting space to land some of footy’s big names, including Kane Cornes and Caroline Wilson, Fox are stepping up their attempts to land some of the sport’s biggest and best punditry stars.
On Monday, Fox revealed several new additions and changes to their scheduling for next year, announcing AFL great Leigh Matthews would be joining their expert team.
Matthews is considered one of the greatest players and coaches to have graced the game, having made 332 appearances for Hawthorn during his playing career.
The forward would help the Hawks to win four VFL premierships notably also winning the Coleman Medal in 1975.
AFL legend Leigh Matthews (left) is set to join up with Fox Footy for the 2025 season
The Hawthorn great, who won four premierships as a player, will work as part of Fox’s expert team
He would go on to be crowned a four-time premiership coach with both Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions.
He is set to link up with Shaun Burgoyne and Tom Hawkins, who have also recently joined up with the side, with Hawkins having hung up his boots earlier this year.
Matthews is the second AFL Hall of Famer to now be a part of Fox’s stable, with fellow ex-Hawthorn star Jason Dunstall being inducted in 2024.
Elsewhere, Mark Robinson’s successor on AFL360 has also been named, with Garry Lyon set to present the show alongside Gerard Whateley.
That has left a vacant spot on his old show, On the Couch, with former Richmond star, Jack Riewoldt set to step into the hosting chair in place of the former Melbourne half-forward, Lyon.
Elsewhere, Whateley and Anthony Hudson are due to lead Fox’s Friday Night, in what is being seen as a hugely popular move by many footy fans.
It will also be a new experience for Whateley, who will contnue to commentate for SEN on Thursday evenings and Saturdays.
‘It is my first opportunity to do footy on TV in a marquee slot,’ Whateley told The Age.
It comes amid a big reschuffle at the network following the departure of Mark Robinson (right)
Gerard Whateley (pictured) and Anthony Hudson are due to lead Fox’s Friday Night, in what is being seen as a hugely popular move by many footy fans
Garry Lyon will step in to co-host AFL360 in place of Robinson, departing his role as the host of On The Couch
Fox will be up against stiff competition from Channel Seven and their Friday night commentary team.
Brian Taylor and James Brayshaw are expected to call the big matches for them, but Whateley has poured cold water on claims that a rivalry could be growing between Seven and Fox.
‘I probably don’t think about that… choice is a great thing. It’s great in cricket. Now we will be able to do that in footy,’ he added.
Managing Director Fox Sports Steve Crawley has also spoken out on the changes to their broadcasting crew for the 2025 season, stating: ‘There is no bigger name in the AFL than Leigh Matthews.
‘His playing and coaching career is unrivalled and when he talks – everyone pays attention.
‘We’re honoured he’s chosen us to share his insights. We just hope Jason is comfortable having another ‘legend’ on the team.
‘We’re expecting new subscribers in 2025 and we can’t wait for them to enjoy the combination of Huddo and Gerard calling Friday nights.
‘These two aren’t strangers to calling together, but a new combo for Fox Footy, we know our audiences will value their clear, accurate, and descriptive call.
Jack Riewold (left) will take over hosting duties for On The Couch, while Dustin Martin has also been linked with a move to join Fox
‘We’re proud of our bench, we’re thrilled Garry will be joining Gerard on AFL 360 and we can’t wait to have Jack joining our great Couch team as our new host. It’s been a busy off-season and we’re not done yet.’
It comes after rumours swirled last week that Richmond Tigers legend Dustin Martin could be set to join the broadcaster’s stable as a pundit.
He was pictured having a coffee with Fox powerbrokers Patrick Delaney and Steve Crawley.
They were also joined by Martin’s former team-mate Jack Riewoldt and his manager Ralph Carr, sparking rumours that the three-time Norm Smith Medallist could join the stable of broadcasters.
Martin’s agent, Carr, has since spoken out on the picture, claiming that they would not be going into specifics over the meeting but would: ‘have some news to share when the time is right.’
