Triple M announces 2026 AFL commentary team with the biggest personalities and the sharpest minds in the game – Some sounds define the AFL: the roar of the crowd as the national anthem reaches its final note, the cry of “ball!” echoing around the stadium, and the unmistakable energy of a Triple M commentary box bringing the action to life.
In 2026, Triple M is turning up the volume on footy’s most iconic call, unveiling its AFL commentary lineup with the biggest personalities and sharpest minds, taking listeners through every tackle, goal, and spine-tingling moment. The roster includes premiership players, Brownlow medallists, elite journalists, and the sport’s most recognisable voices.
Joining Triple M commentary in 2026 is an unrivalled lineup of stars including Brian Taylor, James Brayshaw, Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas, Kate McCarthy, Isaac Smith, Jack Heverin, Abbey Holmes, Leigh Montagna, Jason ‘The Chief’ Dunstall, Erin Phillips, Mark ‘Howie’ Howard, Ruby Schleicher, Nathan Brown, ‘Stevie J’ Johnson, Shaun Burgoyne, Billy Brownless, Mark Ricciuto, Jess Webster, Simon Black, Sarah Hosking, Jay Clark, and Xavier Ellis (and more) – along with the addition of Channel 7 chief footy reporter and AFL Media Award winner Mitch Cleary.
With more than 5,000 AFL and AFLW games played between them, over 30 premierships, four Norm Smith Medals, multiple Coleman and Brownlow Medals, Triple M’s commentary team delivers unrivalled experience, fearless opinions, and footy the way fans love it: thrilling moments, big personalities, and in-depth analysis. It’s why Triple M has been Australia’s leading AFL audio broadcaster since 2004.*
Triple M and LiSTNR give fans more ways to get their footy fix. Listeners can tune in to LiSTNR’s The Howie Games for long-form interviews with the game’s biggest stars, stream all their favourite AFL shows in the dedicated Triple M Footy AFL feed, or dive into LiSTNR’s brand-new Clubcasts, bite-sized podcasts curated for selected individual clubs. In Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia, The Rush Hour with JB & Billy delivers footy interviews, breaking news, and classic Triple M style every weekday afternoon.
Triple M’s flagship AFL shows return in 2026:
- Midweek Rub (Wed, 6pm): Leigh Montagna, Dale Thomas, and Damian Barrett
- Thursday Rub (Thurs, 6pm): Jack Heverin, Isaac Smith, Kate McCarthy, and Jay Clark
- Friday Huddle (Fri, 4pm): Mark ‘Howie’ Howard, Jason Dunstall, Nathan Brown, and Damian Barrett
- Saturday Rub (Sat, 11:30am): James Brayshaw, Billy Brownless, Damian Barrett, and Bernie Vince
- Sunday Rub (Sun, 1pm): Leigh Montagna, Nathan Brown, Mitch Cleary, Dale Thomas, and Steve Johnson
Ewan Giles, SCA Head of Sports Content, said:
“Triple M’s AFL coverage is built on elite football knowledge and big personalities. Our 2026 lineup brings together premiership players, Brownlow medallists and some of the most experienced broadcasters in the country – it’s passionate, fearless, and uniquely Triple M. We take the game seriously, but not ourselves, and it’s why we’ve remained the leading AFL audio broadcaster for more than two decades.”
Catch every AFL game live and free in 2026 on Triple M, plus dedicated footy shows across the network, and live streaming on LiSTNR.
Source: *GfK Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Survey #1 2004 – #8 2025, P10+. SCA AFL Footy Call Times (varies year to year), Cume Reach. *Commercial Station.
(Triple M’s Thursday Rub team: Jay Clark, Isaac Smith, Jack Heverin, Isaac Smith, and Kate McCarthy / Photo credit: Corey Scicluna, Triple M)
Media Release – SCA
Link to Triple M HERE
TV Central AFL content HERE
Triple M announces 2026 AFL commentary team with the biggest personalities and the sharpest minds in the game
