Who’s taking over from Jane Doyle? Will Goodings, Rosanna Mangiarelli named as 7NEWS Adelaide’s weekday news anchors

They know they have “massive, massive shoes to fill” – and one already has a seriously busy life with a breakfast radio gig and new baby.

Channel 7 presenters Will Goodings and Rosanna Mangiarelli will co-anchor the 7 Adelaide’s weekday news. Photo: Nicholas Wilson

Will Goodings is about to become arguably the busiest man in Adelaide media.

The FIVEaa breakfast radio co-host and Rosanna Mangiarelli have been unveiled as Jane Doyle’s successors on Channel 7’s weekday newsdesk.

A fortnight ago, Doyle announced she was stepping away from 7NEWS Adelaide this month after 33 years as the station’s newsreader.

For Goodings, combining a punishing early-morning schedule with Seven’s nightly bulletin was not an easy sell at first – particularly after he and wife Alison welcomed their first child, Rosie, just six weeks ago.

“Initially I was sceptical, I thought this can’t be done. I thought, ‘Crikey, there’s no way I’m working from 4.30am until 7.30pm at night’, he said.

“But to Seven’s credit, they’ve come back and put together a scenario for me that lifestyle-wise absolutely works because obviously Rosie is always going to be priority number one and FIVEaa is also something I love.

Will Goodings and wife Alison Boag with their six-week old daughter Rosie Goodings. Picture Emma Brasier

“Now I’ve got a few hours during the day to have a nap, do some exercise, spend some time with Rosie then head into the office.”

It’s been a rapid rise for Goodings, son of Graeme Goodings, who read the news for Seven from the 1980s until his retirement in 2014.

A co-host of FIVEaa’s breakfast show with David Penberthy since 2015, he only joined Seven in October, reading the weekend bulletins alongside veteran presenter Rosanna.

“I felt at home straight away because that’s what we do at FIVEaa every day. There’s a synergy to talking about news stories in the morning and reading them at night,” said Goodings, who’s also spent time as Ten’s sports presenter.

“I felt really comfortable really soon, which surprised me a bit.”

A TV insider revealed Goodings became an frontrunner for the role after blowing away 7NEWS news director Chris Salter in a secret late-night screen test at their Hindmarsh studios.

Mangiarelli has long been touted as the heir apparent to broadcasting legend Doyle.

With more than 25 years’ experience, she’s worked as a newsreader around Australia and in the Asia-Pacific, and also hosted top-rating current affairs show Today Tonight for more than a decade.

“I’m extremely excited and I see this as a huge honour and privilege,” she said.

“Jane has had such a phenomenal career, one that will never be matched. It’s massive, massive shoes to fill and I’m completely aware of that but we have shared shoes in the past so I’m hoping that’s a good omen.”

Gallery: Adelaide news queen’s legendary career in pictures

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Mangiarelli said Goodings has taken to Seven’s newsdesk “like a pro” and would combine his dual media roles with ease.

“It’s unfolded pretty quickly for him, it can’t have been easy. but he’s got it in the bag, he handles everything calmly,” she said. “He’s a cool customer.”

Salter said “Rosanna and Will are the perfect fit” for the station’s top-rating news bulletin.

“They have experience, integrity and care deeply about local issues and local people,” he said.

“Viewers already think of Rosanna as part of the family. She has been delivering our news 20 years and is one of the most popular presenters in the country. Will is a sharp and proven newsman through and through. It’s in his blood.”

Doyle will read her final bulletin on December 15. Mangiarelli and Goodings will start their new roles in mid-January.