AFL on Channel 7 releases commentary line-up – Footy’s best team lines up for a huge 2024. Phillips, Selwood and Cotchin join AFL coverage on Seven, Your Home of Footy
Football’s #1 commentary team is primed and ready to bring fans an epic 2024 AFL season in what is set to be an incredibly close race to September. Some of the game’s modern-day giants are joining the 7AFL family to bring Australians all the action live and free.
Australian football trailblazer and two-time AFLW Best and Fairest winner, Erin Phillips, will join Seven’s AFL broadcast in a weekly expert field commentary role across the 2024 season.
Also joining Seven’s match day broadcast team as an expert commentator is Premiership captain and the game’s most experienced Finals Series player, Joel Selwood, who will also co-host the season-long broadcast of Talking Footy. The weekly analysis show returns to the screens of Seven in 2024 on Wednesday, 6 March, at 9.30pm after The Front Bar.
Alongside Selwood, Talking Footy will be co-hosted by Seven’s own James Brayshaw, Tim Watson and three-time Premiership captain, Trent Cotchin, fresh off his retirement from the game in a new-look, contemporary take on the classic program.
In addition to the team’s new recruits, Seven welcomes back football’s star-studded line-up in 2024, including the game’s best group of callers: Brian Taylor, James Brayshaw, Alister Nicholson, Jason Bennett and Luke Darcy.
Expert commentators Luke Hodge, Abbey Holmes, Matthew Richardson, Shaun Burgoyne, Jobe Watson, Dale Thomas, Tim Watson, Cameron Ling, Nathan Jones and Chris Johnson are also back, while Jude Bolton, Mark Soderstrom, Ryan Daniels, Nigel Carmody and Campbell Brown round out football’s best commentary team.
Current Geelong Cats captain Patrick Dangerfield will also continue his role with Seven, providing expert commentary throughout the 2024 season, while Seven’s own Hamish McLachlan will feature across the first two weeks of the season, before heading overseas with his family.
Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, said:
“As we look ahead to an incredible 2024, our team will bring Australians a fantastic AFL season, one that promises to be incredibly closely fought all the way until the last Saturday in September.
“Following one of the greatest Finals Series ever seen in modern day football, we cannot wait to see what 2024 has in store. From every nail-biting finish to the biggest day in September, Seven will be there to deliver every moment to all Australians, live and free.
“With the introduction of a group of the game’s modern-day giants in Erin Phillips, Joel Selwood and Trent Cotchin, Seven has once again assembled football’s best, most talented and most experienced commentary line-up, with fresh experience and insights, to give viewers the best possible analysis of our great game,” he said.
“With an exceptional broadcast line-up both on and off the camera – and a passion for and knowledge of the game greater than anyone – there is nobody who loves footy more than the team at Seven. Why go anywhere else?”
Happy hour continues in 2024, when everyone’s favourite sports show, The Front Bar, turns its focus to footy from Wednesday, 6 March at 8.30pm on Channel 7 and 7plus.
Doing what they do best, Mick Molloy, Sam Pang and Andy Maher will share a laugh each week of the AFL season and catch up with stars of yesteryear and today.
Post-match on Friday nights, viewers can stick around for unique insights on the match of the round as Armchair Experts returns to Seven and 7plus, with Adam Cooney and Cam Luke joined weekly by co-hosts Kate McCarthy and Tommy Sheridan.
On Saturday nights, fans can tune into Seven’s AFL broadcast, where they will see the biggest breaking AFL news stories and opinions with the new “Saturday Scoop” with 7NEWS Melbourne’s Abbey Gelmi and Mitch Cleary.
State-league footy is back on Seven, with games broadcast on Seven and 7plus throughout the 2024 season, kicking off with Round One of the VFL featuring Casey Demons versus Box Hill Hawks on Sunday, 24 March at midday AEDT led by an exceptional commentary team in Jason Bennett, Nigel Carmody and Campbell Brown.
The way Australians watch and engage with sport will change forever later this year, when the Seven Network brings Australia’s #1 winter and #1 summer sport – the AFL and cricket – to 7plus.
Seven’s full digital rights to the AFL kick in with the Brownlow Medal and the AFL Grand Final in 2024, followed by the AFLW (which is already running on 7plus), then the full 2025 season.
Seven’s AFL coverage in 2024 will feature:
- The 2024 AFLW Season, including the Finals Series live and free on Seven and 7plus
- Live AFL matches Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday
- 2024 AFL Grand Final live, free and exclusive, plus every AFL Final live and free
- Blockbuster games live including Opening Night, Round One, Gather Round, Anzac Day, Dreamtime at the ’G, The Big Freeze and the Good Friday Superclash
- The Brownlow Medal count, live, free and exclusive to Seven
- Fans in NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia can watch every game involving teams from their home states live and free
- State league matches broadcast live and free in their home state on Channel 7, and nationally on 7plus.
7AFL Hub on 7plus
Throughout the 2024 AFL season, fans can tune into 7plus for live and on-demand footy content, including:
- AFL Armchair Experts: On Friday nights, Adam Cooney and Cam Luke will be joined by Kate McCarthy or Tommy Sheridan when they settle in on the sofa once more, offering viewers their unique take on the match of the round.
- Roaming Brian: Watch as Seven’s Brian Taylor hits the changerooms with the toughest questions after each side’s Friday Night Footy win. Viewers can also tune into old Roaming Brian segments on-demand on 7plus.
- The Front Bar: Viewers can tune in live and on-demand on 7plus when Mick Molloy, Sam Pang and Andy Maher share a laugh each week of the 2024 season.
- Talking Footy: Viewers can tune in live and on-demand on 7plus immediately after The Front Bar, when James Brayshaw, Tim Watson, Joel Selwood and Trent Cotchin dissect the biggest stories of the week, alongside 7NEWS Melbourne’s Mitch Cleary.
- Saturday Scoop: Join 7NEWS Melbourne’s Abbey Gelmi and Mitch Cleary on a Saturday night with the biggest breaking AFL headlines, live and on-demand on 7plus
- Add your club to a watch list: Add your club to your watchlist and follow for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and all the news and views from season 2024.
- 7AFL Channel: The best content from our coverage each week is served in a 24/7 FAST Channel, so you can keep up to date with all the biggest moments, every day of the week.
- State Leagues: The best matches from the VFL, SANFL and WAFL are available nationally every week on 7plus.
7NEWS.com.au AFL Match Centre
Ahead of the 2024 season, 7NEWS.com.au has created a central source of AFL news, the 7AFL match centre.
With fixtures, live scores, player stats, breaking news and exclusive 7AFL stories, 7NEWS.com.au has all footy fans covered for the 2024 AFL Premiership Season.
Seven’s AFL commentary team
Brian Taylor – Commentator
One of footy’s most respected and entertaining callers, Brian will lead Seven’s Thursday and Friday Night Football coverage in 2024, along with other blockbuster matches. One of his generation’s best full-forwards, “BT” kicked 527 goals over 140 games with Richmond and Collingwood, winning the Coleman Medal in 1986 with a season tally of 100 goals.
X: @BTBrianTaylor Instagram: bt_briantaylor
James Brayshaw – Commentator
Following a distinguished first-class cricket career that saw him average 42.53 runs across
75 matches as a top-order batsman, James has become one of the most respected hosts
and commentators in Australian sport. He will again bring his upbeat style to Seven’s AFL
commentary team in 2024.
Instagram: jamesbrayshaw
Luke Hodge – Expert Commentator
The long-time Hawthorn skipper established himself as one of the great modern leaders in Australian sport over a highly-decorated career that included 346 games (305 at the Hawks and 41 at Brisbane), four premierships, three All-Australian selections and two Norm Smith Medals. After hanging up his boots at the end of 2019, Luke joined Seven’s AFL commentary team in 2020, quickly showcasing his rare understanding of the modern game as an expert commentator.
X: @LHodge15 Instagram: hodgey015
Abbey Holmes – Field Commentator and Host
A late convert to football after a promising netball career, Abbey led the NTFL’s goalkicking table and won a premiership in each of her first four seasons, memorably becoming in 2013-14 the first woman to kick 100 goals in a season. An Adelaide premiership player in the AFLW’s inaugural 2017 season, Abbey has been a great addition to Seven’s AFLW and AFL coverage, both as an expert and field commentator. Abbey will feature in Seven’s Thursday and Friday Night Footy coverage, as well as other key games throughout the season.
X: @abbeycholmes Instagram: abbeycholmes
Matthew Richardson – Host and Expert Commentator
The Richmond great has been a favourite of Seven viewers for more than a decade, featuring prominently as an expert commentator. One of Tasmania’s favourite sons, “Richo” amassed 800 goals in an acclaimed playing career and remains the all-time leading goalkicker at the MCG with 464. In 2024, Matthew continue his Friday Night Football commentary role.
X: @mattricho0 Instagram: mattricho0
Alister Nicholson – Commentator
Alister has become one of Australian sport’s most recognisable voices over the past decade as an ABC Grandstand commentator on cricket and AFL football. While he has been a popular member of Seven’s BBL commentary team in recent years, his broadcasting experience extends to the NRL, A-League, Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games, Australia’s major golf tournaments and the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Alister will also call AFL games with Seven in 2024.
Erin Phillips – Expert/Field Commentator
The only AFLW player to win the league best and fairest award twice, Erin is highly regarded as one of the competition’s premier players. A dual premiership player with the Adelaide Crows, Erin was named best afield in each of her AFLW Grand Final wins in 2017 and 2019. After stepping into the commentary seat for the first time in 2021, Erin will be seen regularly on Seven’s coverage as she provides expert commentary on Seven’s Thursday Night Footy, broadcast as well as other key games across the 2024 season.
- @Erinphillips131 Instagram: @Erinphillips131
Jason Bennett – Commentator
The award-winning sports broadcaster was an AFL commentator from 2002 to 2006 before embarking on an international posting with ESPN and its popular program Aussies Abroad. Jason has been calling footy on Seven since 2015, covering a mix of AFL, AFLW and VFL, and will be a key part of Seven’s AFL coverage in 2024.
X: @JasonBennettTV Instagram: jasonbennetttv
Luke Darcy – Commentator
The highly respected former Bulldogs star is regarded as one of the best ruck-forwards of the modern era. A winner of the Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFL Players Association’s MVP, Luke has carved out a burgeoning career as a radio and TV personality and will again call Saturday Night Footy on Seven in 2024, along with other key games.
Joel Selwood – Expert Commentator and Talking Footy co-host
A 16-year career in the AFL saw Joel Selwood stamp his name as one of the best to have played the game. Widely celebrated for his professionalism, leadership and football brain, Joel has steadily built one of the most impressive resumes in VFL/AFL history and is recognised as a key element in creating a remarkable culture of success at the Geelong Football Club. Joel will join Trent Cotchin, James Brayshaw and Tim Watson as co-host of Talking Footy, while also providing expert commentary on Seven’s Thursday Night Footy broadcast, as well as other key matches in 2024.
- @JoelSelwood14 Instagram: @JoelSelwood14
Jobe Watson – Expert Commentator
The former Essendon skipper enjoyed a stellar career as an inside midfielder, winning three club best and fairest awards, the AFLPA’s best captain award in 2012 and two All-Australian selections. Jobe joined Seven in 2020 as an expert commentator and quickly became an integral part of the team. He will continue his role with Seven during the 2024 season.
X: @JobeWatson Instagram: jobetwatson
Shaun Burgoyne – Expert Commentator
Following an impressive first two years as an Expert Commentator for Seven following his legendary 407 game playing career, “Silk” returns in 2024. A highly respected player on and off the field, he will bring impressive insight and game analysis to Seven’s AFL coverage from Adelaide, and key marquee matches throughout the season.
- @Shaunburgoyne9 Instagram: @Shaunburgoyne9
Chris Johnson – Expert Commentator
A Premiership player with the Brisbane Lions, Chris has quickly become a fan favourite after joining Seven’s broadcast during the 2021 season. After an impressive AFL career which spanned 13 years, he will provide valuable game insight across various key matches throughout the 2024 season.
- @Chris_Johnson2 Instagram: @Chris_johnson2
Patrick Dangerfield – Expert Commentator
A Premiership player with the Geelong Cats and current club captain, Patrick is regarded as one of the league’s best modern-day players. The Brownlow Medallist stepped behind the Seven microphone in the 2022 AFL Premiership Season and will this year enjoy a regular slot on Seven’s AFL coverage..
- @Dangerfield35 Instagram: @PatrickDangerfield
Cameron Ling – Expert Commentator
Cameron was one of the AFL’s elite taggers over a decorated 12-season career with Geelong that included the 2007, 2009 and 2011 flags – the latter as skipper – the Cats’ 2004 best and fairest award and All-Australian selection in 2007. Since 2012, “Lingy” has been an integral member of Seven’s AFL coverage, delivering sharp insights as an expert commentator and boundary rider. He will feature on Seven’s Saturday Night Footy coverage in 2024.
Tim Watson – Expert Commentator
Tim is truly one of the game’s greats. Inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2000, he played in three premierships with Essendon and was one of the League’s most classy and explosive midfielders during the 1980s. An articulate and insightful observer of the game, Tim also presents sport for 7NEWS Melbourne each weeknight.
X: @timwatson32 Instagram: timwatson7
Dale Thomas – Field Commentator
Since announcing his AFL retirement at the end of 2019, after 14 seasons and 258 games, Dale has become a popular figure across football media and has featured heavily on Seven’s AFL coverage. In 2024, Dale will enjoy a more prominent role as a field commentator on Thursday Night Footy and other key matches.
- @DThomas39 Instagram: @D_Thomas39
Jude Bolton – Field Commentator
The dual Swans premiership hero takes on a field commentary role again on Seven’s AFL team, primarily at games in Sydney. Known for his undying determination and fearless attack on the ball over a decorated 325-game career, Jude still shares the AFL record for the most tackles ever in a single game (19) and is a member of the Sydney Swans Hall of Fame.
X: @Jude_Bolton Instagram: jude_bolton
Hamish McLachlan – Host and Commentator
Hamish is one of Seven’s most versatile broadcasters, having hosted and commentated on a wide range of sports including the AFL, horse racing, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games, including the recent Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. An accurate and entertaining play-by-play commentator, Hamish will call matches during the first two weeks of the season in 2024, as he plans to spend the rest of the year overseas with his family.
Mark Soderstrom – Field Commentator
Mark played 121 SANFL games for North Adelaide, Glenelg and Sturt. A 7NEWS sports presenter in Adelaide, Mark returns as a field commentator in Seven’s 2023 AFL coverage across key games in South Australia.
X: @Mark_Soda
Ryan Daniels – Field Commentator
With a vast AFL knowledge, 7NEWS Perth sports reporter and newsreader will continue his role with 7AFL in 2024, covering games from his home town. Recently taking out the Australian Football Media Award for Best News Reporting by an Individual, Ryan is a highly respected member of the football media in Western Australia.
Trent Cotchin – Talking Footy
One of the most successful leaders of this current AFL generation, Trent’s legacy with his beloved Tigers extends beyond his impressive trophy cabinet, which contains three premiership medals, three Jack Dyer Best & Fairest medals and a Brownlow Medal. Trent will join Seven’s team as a co-host of Talking Footy in 2024.
- @TCotchin9 Instagram: @TrentCotchin9
Adam Cooney – Armchair Experts
The 2008 Brownlow medallist has always been one of the game’s great characters and he is given free rein to let his personality shine and have a laugh at the lighter side of the game on Armchair Experts.
- @Adamcooney17 Instagram: adamcooney17
Cam Luke – Armchair Experts
Cam is a long-time sports presenter who will again take his spot on the Armchair Experts sofa alongside regular sparring partner Adam Cooney to chat about all the hot topics that come out of the match of the round.
X: @camluke Instagram: camjluke
Kate McCarthy
A key player in the AFLW’s inaugural year with Brisbane, Kate McCarthy enjoyed a successful playing career at the Lions, St Kilda and Hawthorn. Following her retirement from AFLW, Kate has gone on to coach at the Western Bulldogs, as well as joining Seven’s team as an AFLW Commentator. In 2024, Kate will feature on Seven’s Armchair Experts alongside Adam Cooney, Cam Luke and Tommy Sheridan.
- @Kateemac9 Instagram: @Kate.mac.9
Tommy Sheridan
A former AFL player with Fremantle and the GWS GIANTS, Tommy Sheridan has found a place in the footy media post-playing career, with his successful podcast Ausmerican Aces. Joining Seven’s team in 2024, Tommy will join Cam Luke, Adam Cooney and Kate McCarthy on Friday night’s for Armchair Experts.
Instagram: @Tommy_Sheridan
Nigel Carmody – Commentator
After a decorated VFL career that spanned 12 seasons with Casey Scorpions and Collingwood, Nigel has been part of Seven’s commentary team since 2015, working on AFL, AFLW and VFL matches.
X: @NigelCarmody Instagram: nigelcarmody
Campbell Brown – Field Commentator
An All-Australian in 2007 and Hawthorn premiership player in 2008, Campbell was a ferocious competitor who attacked the contest fearlessly. His love of the game and engaging personality shines through in his field commentary on Seven’s VFL coverage.
X: @Browndogg_30x Instagram: @browndog_30x
Abbey Gelmi – Saturday Scoop
Abbey has presented across Seven’s Olympics, cricket, racing, motorsport and Brownlow Medal coverage with poise, grace and an infectious enthusiasm. As the granddaughter of Australian middle-distance great Herb Elliott, sport is in Abbey’s blood. In 2024, she will continue her role on Seven’s Saturday Scoop, during Seven’s Saturday Night Footy coverage, alongside Mitch Cleary.
Twitter: @abbey_gelmi Instagram: @abbeygelmi
Mitch Cleary – 7NEWS Melbourne Chief Football Reporter
7NEWS Melbourne’s Chief Football Reporter, Mitch Cleary will again feature in Seven’s AFL broadcast throughout the 2024 season, reporting on the game’s biggest stories as they break. Mitch will also join Seven’s Talking Footy broadcast each week.
Theo Doropoulos – 7NEWS Melbourne
Theo started his career as a professional cricketer, representing both South Australia and Western Australia in T20, before following his passion for broadcasting by obtaining a Bachelor of Media from University of Adelaide and joinnig the 7NEWS Adelaide sport team where he remained for over a decade. In 2024, Theo has joined the 7NEWS Melbourne newsroom as an AFL reporter and will feature across Seven’s AFL broadcast.
2024 AFL Premiership Season – Live and free on Seven from Thursday 7 March Seven, Your Home of Footy
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