Guess who’s replacing Leon Byner on FIVEaa: All the inside goss

The radio powers that be have started announcing who’s getting the flick – and who’s replacing them. So who will take the FIVEaa morning reins from Leon Byner?

As we giddy up for Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, punters are placing bets on who will be taking the reins from Leon Byner at FIVEaa.

Earlier this month the 74-year-old veteran broadcaster who has hosted the AM talkback station’s morning program for 22 years, confirmed he would be hanging up his microphone after his Friday, December 2 shift.

The reason? FIVEaa has decided not to renew his contract when it expires at the end of the year.

Leon Byner, with his dog Bounty, is leaving his FIVEaa mornings program after 22 years. Picture: Brenton Edwards

While a few names are being bandied around the traps, some say it’s a one-horse race.

“Whoever replaces Leon will need to have political nous and be able to interview the prime minister and premier,” an industry insider explains.

But, before we get to the so-called “sure bet”, let’s look at who may have been in the running.

Some have suggested they would like to see a perfumed steamroller – the moniker given to trailblazer Jana Wendt back in the day – to make inroads on levelling out the bloke-heavy territory.

“It’s like a Freemasons meeting. No women,” one source says.

Here are some contenders …

REBECCA MORSE

Part of the SAFM Bec, Cosi & Lehmo breakfast show for the past three years, Morse would be a strong contender (on Friday it was announced Cosi will be departing the program, leaving Bec and Lehmo in limbo).

A graduate of Uni SA’s journalism course, she got her start at the ABC where she was a reporter and presenter before moving to Channel 10 to be its Adelaide newsreader.

She knows how to ask the tough questions but here’s a tip. Sources believe Morse and Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann will be back in the SAFM stable in 2023.

It has also been rumoured they will be joined by Seven News sports presenter Mark “Soda” Soderstrom. He is said to be chomping at the bit to get back on brekky radio after leaving Mix 102.3 – where he enjoyed ratings wins with Jodie Oddy – 12 months ago.

SAFM breakfast presenter Rebecca Morse.

Mark Soderstrom. Picture: Matt Loxton

JODIE ODDY

She bolted from Mix 102.3 stable back in late 2020 but Oddy pretty much got back on the horse that is radio ASAP.

Not long after her shock exit, Oddy was making guest appearances on FIVEaa’s sister station Nova 919’s Ben & Liam brekky show. And not long after that, she got a gig with the station hosting her own Saturday morning program.

Part of Network Ten’s Adelaide newsroom for ages, she’s interviewed the premier on more than one occasion. But you can bet you won’t hear Oddy on FIVEaa anytime soon because we hear she’s already in the winner’s circle.

Rumour has it Oddy’s going to be hosting breakfast at Nova next year, after Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton announced they were moving to Melbourne to host brekky there – along with a special early morning hour for their loyal listeners in Adelaide.

AMANDA BLAIR

Never backward in coming forward, why shouldn’t Amanda Blair be in the race?

A brekky presenter on SAFM back in the early 1990s, she’s certainly switched on when it comes to politics. But Blair, who was heard on FIVEaa for six years, she says the gig would not be for her.

Because she’s not affiliated with any station, we asked her outright if she had thrown her hat in the ring or been approached.

Frank as ever, Blair told the Sunday Mail: “Love the listeners but I’d rather improve my knitting than take a seat in the mancave again.”

She added: “I’m sure they’ll find another pale, stale male kicking around doing the odd jobs to fill the position, preferably somebody who has done it before – and never rated – or somebody handy with a football. They tend to be the employees of choice in radio.”

Blair also added, tongue firmly in cheek: “Hell yeah, I’ll be tuning in to hear more mansplaining and reminiscing about the grand final back in ’87. I mean, who wouldn’t?”

Nova 919’s Jodie Oddy. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Amanda Blair.

MATTHEW PANTELIS

A fixture at FIVEaa since forever, Pantelis has worked across every timeslot – including the dreaded dawn shift – because he’s rapt about radio and reliable one industry insider says he’s the guy the station calls to fill in when a presenter is sick or a no-show.

Pantelis, was the station’s news director for 15 years and was appointed evening show presenter in early 2020.

FIVEaa’s Matthew Pantelis. Picture: Supplied

In 2019 Pantelis won the Brian White Award for Radio Journalism – one of the most prestigious awards in commercial radio – and was congratulated by listeners, fellow media and politicians over Twitter. Multiple sources says Pantelis just has to be the one to take over from Byner.

As always, Nova Entertainment – FIVEaa’s parent company – is remaining tight-lipped. A spokesman told the Sunday Mail the station is yet to announce its new mornings presenter.

“We don’t comment on speculation,” he said.

And, if Pantelis moves to mornings it will mean his evening timeslot will need a new presenter …

OUTSIDE THE BOX

An outside chance could be pollie-turned-podcaster Christopher Pyne; Amanda Vanstone – who has a show called Counterpoint on ABC’s Radio National – who might fancy a commercial gig; or even former premier Steven Marshall or ex-treasurer Kevin Foley who one source says would be “awesome”.

“He’s a stayer as we saw from his long run as Treasure,” the insider says.

It is also highly unlikely that FIVEaa would split up or move its duo of Will Goodings and David Penberthy, who regularly win the race that is the brekky radio ratings.

So, who is likely to cross the finish line first?