Email sent to Fox Footy commentators announcing a ‘reversal’ of commentary nickname ban

An email has been sent to Fox Footy commentators announcing a “reversal” of a controversial nicknames ban – as 7AFL has a crack. What do you think?

• Cornes calls out no nickname policy

Fox Footy commentators have been told their short-lived nickname ban during AFL broadcasts has now been “reversed”.

Appearing on SEN on Friday morning, Seven’s Kane Cornes quizzed co-host David King regarding a rumoured “backtrack”, announced in an email sent to Fox employees.

The ban, which was only in action across Round 20 of the AFL season, left fans across the country puzzled after footy legends such as Nathan ‘Bucks’ Buckley, Leigh ‘Joey’ Montagna and David ‘Kingy’ King were referred to only by their first names during Fox’s coverage.

“I’m led to believe there was an internal backflip where an email was sent out and they just reversed the (nickname) ban,” Cornes said.

“That is a backtrack, David (King). Look me in the eye and tell our audience – has there been a memo of some sort and a backtrack away from the first names?”.

Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes. Picture: Michael Klein

“Like all good things, Cornsey, you can take things too far and maybe you just find a happy middle ground,” King replied.

“To me, Howie (Mark Howard) has always been ‘Howie’ – I didn’t even know his first name was Mark.

“I don’t even know my own first name anymore – I reckon I’ve been ‘Kingy’ to everyone for 20 years … So maybe (there is) a small sort of reversal.”

The policy, announced last week, was extended to the channel’s suite of AFL programs including AFL360 and First Crack.

The edict caused a stir in AFL circles and the footy media, with Cornes saying he was “fascinated” by the “awkward” change.

Fox Footy broadcast host Sarah Jones (left) and commentator David King. Picture: Michael Klein

After he was told by his Fox colleagues, King said it was a “shock to the system”.

During 7AFL’s broadcast of Thursday night’s match between Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney, each commentator was introduced to the coverage by their nicknames in a pointed dig at Fox Footy.

“‘BT’ (Brian Taylor), ‘Hame’ (Hamish McLachlan), ‘Hodgey’ (Luke Hodge), ‘Rooey’ (Nick Riewoldt) and ‘Mitch’ (Mitch Cleary),” Seven’s broadcast graphic said.

Throughout Thursday night’s coverage on Fox, it was apparent the nickname ban was no longer in action.

“Joey (Leigh Montagna), what you said about the captaincy though – they do have other good captains,” host Sarah Jones said.

“It is one of the Giants’ most important games of the season, Jase (Jason Dunstall).”