Fox Footy AFL commentators open up over channel’s ban on using nicknames

A new “first names only” policy during a broadcaster’s AFL shows has caused a stir, with one big name admitting he found it “highly unusual”.

Fox Footy commentators have admitted a new directive banning the use of nicknames on AFL broadcasts has come as a “shock to the system”.

Last weekend, fans across the country couldn’t help but notice that footy legends such as Nathan ‘Bucks’ Buckley, Leigh ‘Joey’ Montagna and David ‘Kingy’ King were referred to only by their first names on Fox’s AFL coverage.

The policy has since extended to the channel’s suite of AFL programs including AFL360 and First Crack.

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

“It sounds awkward. I’m sure we’ll get used to it. But what’s happened? Was this an all-of-staff meeting? Was it a memo?” he quizzed his SEN breakfast co-host King this week.

The Kangaroos premiership player revealed that he was told of the directive by his Fox colleagues.

“It was a bit of a shock to the system on Thursday night,” he said.

Leigh Montagna and Garry Lyon. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images for Foxtel

Fox Footy presenters Kath Loughnan and David King in the Barossa Valley during Gather Round. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“You just get told by your fellow workmates, we’re going with first names.

“It does sound funny, doesn’t it?

“I would think I was born ‘Kingy’. I don’t know why they wasted their time putting David on my birth certificate.”

Fox analyst and AFL360 co-host Garry Lyon said he was “called Garry more times over the weekend than I have for 30 years”.

“And every time they did it, I went, well, geez, what have I done? Because you know … someone calls you your full name when you’re in trouble,” he said on his SEN radio breakfast show with Tim Watson.

“I found it highly unusual. I am a nicknamer. I’m a nickname giver and I’m a nickname user,” he said.

“So for me to call Jason Dunstall, Jason, on Friday night was one of the more difficult things I’ve had to do.”

Lyon said he was told that the change was made “across the board” at Fox Footy.

“I did ask, as I said, I’m a team man. They said, yep, Sydney, same. So there you go,” he said.

Seven’s Kane Cornes, with colleague Nick Riewoldt, was bemused by the Fox Footy change. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

AFL media funnyman Dan Gorringe hit out at Fox’s new “first names only” policy.

“The country is built on nicknames,” Gorringe said on social media.

“This is going to be so not right having no nicknames being thrown around tomorrow night and going forward.”

A Fox Footy spokeswoman declined to comment when contacted by The Advertiser.