7NEWS announces new weekend presenter to join Rosanna Mangiarelli

Will Goodings is set to join Rosanna Mangiarelli to present the weekend bulletins – and industry insiders think it’s a sign of more changes afoot.

Relaxing on Grange jetty, Will Goodings also feels right at home sitting behind the 7NEWS desk – where he will soon be presenting weekend reports with Rosanna Mangiarelli.

Co-hosting 6pm bulletins on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Will starts his new role this week.

But what will the appointment mean for 7NEWS stalwarts Jane Doyle and Mike Smithson?

The pairing of Will and Mangiarelli is being seen by industry insiders as a signal of things to come; they say the duo are being primed to take over from Seven’s news royalty Jane Doyle, who is nearing retirement after 33 years of presenting week night bulletins.

7NEWS news director Chris Salter said Will was well positioned to excel in his new role.

“News is in Will’s blood. He lives and breathes it and cares deeply about the issues affecting South Australians,” Mr Salter said.

“There’s something romantic about him occupying the chair his father (Graeme) did for so long. We’re pleased to have another Goodings back behind the 7NEWS desk.”

Mr Salter said Mike Smithson, who has been co-presenting the weekend bulletins with Mangiarelli for the past two years, will remain “a key part on Seven’s plans moving forward”.

Smithson’s new role would be announced in the coming weeks, he said.

Graeme Goodings and son Will at Grange Jetty. Picture: Tom Huntley

Making a name for himself on FIVEaa co-hosting its weekday breakfast program with David Penberthy, Will is the son of Graeme Goodings, who read the news for Seven from the 1980s until his retirement in 2014.

Born the day after Graeme’s debut on the TV station’s newsdesk in 1983, Will and his wife Alison Boag are expecting a baby girl next month.

“We’re 36 weeks and in the zone so it could happen again,” Will said, referring to the timing of his own birth.

Graeme Goodings and son Will at Channel 7 studio at Gilberton in 1987. Picture: Advertiser Library

Graeme Goodings with wife Eve and sons Sam and Will in 1991. Picture: Advertiser Library

A huge part of his childhood and teenage years, Seven has been like a second home to Will.

“I used to go there regularly after school when mum (Eve Goodings) was busy and I remember being there when the first electronic typewriters arrived,” Will said.

“I did work experience there when I was in high school and know (Seven) people who I have grown up with, along with their kids. I have a really long history (with Seven).”

Graeme and Will Goodings at the FIVEaa studios. Picture: Dylan Coker

Graeme said Will surprised his family when he decided to pursue a media career.

“There wasn’t any prompting or urging – it was something he wanted to do,” Graeme said.

“The only advice I gave him about radio was to remember that no matter how well versed you were on a subject there was always someone listening who knows more than you.”

Will, who was previously a sports presenter for Channel 10, said the news reading role would be a “natural extension” of his radio gig.

Will and Graeme Goodings. Picture: Morgan Sette

Mike Smithson and Rosanna Mangiarelli. Picture: Advertiser Library

“Seven has been the standard-bearer of TV excellence in this town for years,” he said. “This is not an opportunity you say no to.”

Will’s appointment will also have Mangiarelli reminiscing; when she joined 7NEWS close to 20 years ago she presented her first bulletin alongside Graeme.

7NEWS has been Adelaide’s highest rating television news service for 21 years and to date has won all 31 ratings weeks this year.