By Jon Pierik
The battle of the TV networks has become almost as fierce as the contest for AFL premiership points, as Nine closes in on a replacement for provocative pundit Kane Cornes and Seven promises its coverage will have a sharper edge next season.
Former Adelaide captain Rory Sloane has emerged as a contender to replace Cornes on Nine’s flagship football show, Footy Classified. Two industry sources, who would not be quoted because no deal has been reached, confirmed Nine (owner of this masthead) had approached Sloane, who had earlier been in talks with Melbourne about a possible coaching role with the Demons.
Rory Sloane retired earlier this year after 255 games. Credit: Getty Images
While the just-retired Sloane does not have a huge media profile in Victoria, he is seen as being a deep, honest thinker on the game and its stars.
Nine is reshaping the Classified panel as part of a major shake-up of the AFL media landscape prompted by Seven and Foxtel, who are rejuvenating their line-ups for the start of a fresh seven-year, $4.5 billion contract with the league. The upheaval started when Seven – under new network chief Anthony De Ceglie and head of sport Chris Jones – poached Cornes, Age journalist Caroline Wilson and businessman Craig Hutchison from Nine.
So, what will footy look like on your TV in 2025?
Where to watch
Seven retains the free-to-air rights, while Foxtel, through its Fox Footy channel, has the pay-TV rights.
Foxtel’s streaming service, Kayo, will continue to carry all games and specialist programs, but Foxtel’s Binge service – previously the home of major hit shows, including HBO productions House of the Dragon and The Last of Us – will now also carry some AFL coverage. Binge’s sport offerings will start with live broadcasts of the AFLW and WBBL grand finals.
It will then begin introducing more sport, including weeknight program AFL 360, and will simulcast some AFL matches on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays during the regular season.
Seven has been busy promoting the expansion of 7plus Sport, which will now have full AFL games, mini-replays, highlights, exclusive content and its suite of weekly talk shows, with an expectation of shows on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Former AFL player Nick Riewoldt, who will join Seven’s AFL coverage next season, with sports commentator Hamish McLachlan.Credit: Getty Images
These details are expected to become clearer next week when the Kerry Stokes-controlled network holds its 2025 “upfront” content preview in Sydney.
What about Super Saturday?
We’ll know more when the fixture is unveiled (which could be as soon as next week), but live coverage of Saturday footy in 2025 will be exclusive to Foxtel for “at least” the first eight rounds in all markets. These are likely to remain on pay TV or Kayo.
However, this masthead can reveal there are Fox Footy staff already concerned about the prospect of heavy travel commitments from a Thursday through to a Sunday, and some say it’s unclear whether commentary for all games will be at the venue or in the Melbourne studio.
“No one yet knows how that will look yet,” said an industry source, who did not wish to be named publicly.
A Foxtel spokesman declined to comment because the AFL fixture had not yet been released.
For Victorians, the first 15 rounds of coverage on Saturdays will be live on Fox Footy.
Seven, however, can show Saturday matches on delay. There must be a two-hour gap after they start on Foxtel, or start no later than 8.40pm local time.
Only the marquee Anzac eve, Anzac Day and Dreamtime games will be shown live on free-to-air if they fall on a Saturday.
Seven has the rights to broadcast live on Thursday and Friday nights, and for Sunday afternoon and evening games.
Industry sources, who did not wish to be named for confidentiality reasons, said the AFL was considering up to 21 Thursday night matches, up from 14 weeks of Thursday matches in 2024, before the finals.
The increase would mean the overall number of free-to-air games would remain the same as under the previous agreement, ensuring supporters without pay TV or access to streaming were not disadvantaged. The AFL was contacted for comment.
What’s happening with commentators and other talent?
If you thought AFL trade period was hectic, it’s been busier than Bourke St when it comes to off-field media moves. Here’s what we know so far.
Seven has signed Cornes and Wilson, along with St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt.
Never afraid to fire a shot, Riewoldt is returning from the United States and will be a part of Seven’s game-day and talk shows.
Retired Geelong great Tom Hawkins has finalised a deal to join the likes of Garry Lyon, Nathan Buckley and Jonathan Brown at Fox Footy, having been an ambassador for the network while playing for Geelong.
Former Port Adelaide and Hawthorn great Shaun Burgoyne has left Seven to join Fox Footy. More names will follow before Christmas.
Tom Hawkins will work for Fox Sports in season 2025.Credit: Getty Images
Lyon remains the anchor of Fox’s Friday night coverage, when big guns Buckley, Brown and David King/Jack Riewoldt are typically the panellists. Former Blue and Crow Eddie Betts also has a role to play. Sarah Jones, a host and boundary rider, is a polished performer, while Leigh Montagna, Anthony Hudson and Dwayne Russell are respected callers.
Seven reintroduced Talking Footy this season with James Brayshaw, Tim Watson, Trent Cotchin and Joel Selwood, but it was largely hidden late on a Wednesday night in Melbourne. Under Jones, Seven’s football shows are expected to have greater prominence, with the straight-shooting Cornes at the heart of this.
Cornes will also continue with SEN radio.
“Kane and Nick will bring an extra edge to Seven’s AFL broadcast in 2025, and we cannot wait for them to get started,” Jones said.
“The expanded digital rights from the 2025 season onwards present a great opportunity for us to evolve our football programming, while also presenting opportunity for new experts to join our coverage.”
Eddie McGuire is a Footy Classified hostCredit: Nine
Bruce McAvaney’s comeback after four years to lead the pre-game coverage during the finals was well received, and has industry figures wondering if he will be seen more often next year. But a Seven spokeswoman said there was “no update” on whether McAvaney would have a greater role.
At Nine, the Wednesday night Classified panel of host McGuire, Geelong great Jimmy Bartel, Essendon great Matthew Lloyd and journalist Damian Barrett could remain in place.
Nine’s AFL chief reporter, Tom Morris, who hosted Sunday night’s Footy Furnace, has been mentioned in industry circles as a potential Classified news-breaker for the Monday night show.
Nine’s director of sport Brent Williams said the network “was not making any comments or any announcements on talent at this stage”.
Garry Lyon (right), pictured with Stewart Loewe and Tony Lockett , could have a new role at Fox Footy next year.Credit: Getty Images
Foxtel sources who did not wish to comment publicly said a co-host for AFL 360 with Gerard Whateley was still being worked through after Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson was axed after 14 years. Lyon is a leading contender.
“Garry will take Robbo’s spot, there is no doubt about that,” one industry source said.
Should Lyon, who was contacted for comment, take the AFL 360 role, a new host for Fox Footy’s Monday night program, On The Couch, will be needed.
Former Saint Montagna and Hudson, a commentator and host, had been on a shortlist of candidates to host On The Couch, but executives are still perusing the field. Montagna and Hudson now appear likely to remain with King on Sunday night’s First Crack.
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