AFL world saddened as Dermott Brereton ends TV career after 14 years
The AFL world has been left saddened by the news about Dermott Brereton after the Hawks legend revealed he is stepping away.
The AFL world has paid tribute to Dermott Brereton after the Hawthorn legend revealed he will not be back on TV for the 2026 season.
In a major shake-up of the Fox Footy commentary team, Brereton – who played 211 games in his AFL career in the 80s and 90s – told Code Sports that he has decided to walk away after the network only offered him a reduced role, ending his 14-year tenure at the network.
“I got to work at the cutting edge of football coverage with a great team of people and associate with some of the great callers of the game, and I will remain great friends with them for a long, long time,” Brereton said.
“I greatly enjoyed and truly appreciated my time at Fox Footy – more than merely a form of employment, I got to call football from almost the day I stopped playing.”
The 61-year-old refused to rule out a return to TV if “he gets the bug again”, but says he is looking forward to just watching footy as a fan.
“Who knows, I might get the bug again and call again one day,” Brereton continued.
“At 61, I will now have the opportunity to watch footy a little more as a supporter, and that includes watching young Archie May (his partner’s son) playing at Essendon.”
After Brereton announced his exit, Fox Footy general manager Mick Neill said: “Dermott Brereton is a legend of the game and has been a star at Fox Footy for 14 years. He threw himself enthusiastically into everything asked of him at Fox Footy.
“Derm will be remembered with pride for his contribution, competitiveness, and sharp analysis on Fox Footy’s live commentary and analysis shows. He was a massive name joining Fox Footy in 2012, and he remains a treasured member of the Fox Footy family.”
The news of his exit from the TV network has rocked the AFL world, with the message clear, he will be missed.
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes led the tributes for the five-time premiership winner.
“Congratulations to Derm on his brilliant career at Fox Footy. I admired how he often came from unique and lateral angles that challenged the viewers when watching a game he was calling,” Cornes wrote on X.
“He rarely got caught up in stats and trusted his eyes. Anyone who survives that long in footy media is truly in the 1%. Hope to still hear plenty of him on SEN.”
Leading AFL reporter Tom Morris added: “Accurate. Well done Derm! More to come on SEN please.”
SEN’s Mitchell Scott said: “An amazing stint with Fox as one of the leading voices in modern footy media over the last 30 years, going back to the Footy Show and more.”
“Derm always makes footy fun. He has been a constant through all my years at SEN and has always been a huge supporter. I love the bloke.”
It is understood that Brereton will continue his role on the radio with SEN.
Originally published as AFL world saddened as Dermott Brereton ends TV career after 14 years
Live: NTFL battlers prepare for rare opportunity
