7News Melbourne sports reporter Laura Spurway shown the door as boys’ club returns

Phrases like “it’s a return of the boys’ club” are getting bandied around Seven’s corridors of late with good reason, after yet another senior female reporter was given the boot to make way for a big-name recruit.

Laura Spurway is the latest senior reporter to be let go by the network. Picture: Instagram

“The place just isn’t keeping senior women around.”

The mass exodus of female on air talent from Seven’s newsroom just keeps on rollin’, with well-regarded sports reporter Laura Spurway the latest to be shown the door.

Sources tell Page 13 Seven’s poaching of Xander McGuire as the sports team’s new recruit meant someone had to go, with Spurway in turn spurned this week.

Let’s just say phrases like “it’s a return of the boys club”, or “they are all about promoting the guys” are getting bandied around Seven’s corridors of late.

“Hi team, just letting you all know I’ve finished up today after being told my contract isn’t being renewed,” read an email sent by Spurway on Monday to her Seven newsroom colleagues after being abruptly told her time was up and her role was now redundant.

7News Melbourne sports reporter Laura Spurway is the latest senior female reporter to be shown the door. Picture: Instagram

Director of Seven News Chris Salter was eager t snare the talented Xander McGuire to the team.. at any cost. Picture: 7News

“Apologies I’m not able to see everyone in person but thank you for your help and guidance over the past four years.

“I wish you all the best in your travels at Seven, Laura.”

Spurway joined the Seven sports team in 2021, after working at Nine for many years and later on Ten’s The Project. Considered a hard working talent who worked “her guts out”, the team are said to feel deflated.

Because the young mum’s dismissal is being viewed as just another blow for female reporters on the 7News Melbourne team, with many disappointed that starry-eyed executives are not seeing their true potential and being grossly overlooked, or underpaid.

Abbey Gelmi announced this week she had parted ways with the network. Picture: Tennis Australia

Weekend sports presenter Abbey Gelmi announced this week she had parted ways with the network after joining in 2022. She will likely be replaced as weekend sports presenter by sports reporter Theo Doropulos.

“I’ve had so many incredible opportunities at Seven but it’s the right time for the next chapter,’’ Gelmi told the Herald Sun.

An excellent operator, Gelmi’s departure is viewed as disappointing by many in the newsroom, with word her schedule was all over the place.

“If it was a man, people would be saying good on them for sticking up for themselves, but when it’s a woman they are seen as difficult,” an insider said. “Bottom line is they can’t handle strong women who give a bit of pushback.”

Sigh. Are we really still in this space in 2025?

Sharnelle Vella left the network to take up ABC Melbourne’s breakfast radio slot alongside Bob Murphy. Picture: supplied

Sonia Marinelli tendered her resignation after three years as the weekend weather presenter. Picture: 7News Melbourne

Gelmi’s exit from Seven comes just weeks after weekend weather presenter Sonia Marinelli tendered her resignation after three years in that role.

Award-winning state political reporter Sharnelle Vella also left the news team after seven years, defecting to the ABC to co-host the 774 Breakfast show with former Western Bulldogs skipper Bob Murphy.

Well-regarded reporters Jayde Vincent and Emma O’Sullivan have also said goodbye. Senior female on-air talent remaining includes Rebecca Maddern, Jane Bunn, Cassie Zervos, Bethan Yeoman, Melina Sarris, and Karina Carvalho, who joined in July last year.

“It’s absolutely cooked,” said another insider on the condition of anonymity.

“The place just isn’t keeping senior women around.”

Xander McGuire, pictured with brother Joe, joined the mass exodus at Nine to join 7News Melbourne. Picture: Facebook

It’s understood Seven News director Chris Salter was frothing to have added the talented Xander McGuire to the team ... at any cost.

Salter refuted the “boys’ club” claims to Page 13, saying, “Our main rounds – police, courts and politics – are all covered by women. As you know, we recently replaced Tim Watson with Bec Maddern as main sports presenter.”

Xander, 22, worked as a sports reporter for three years at Nine but will now be in competition with his father Eddie after a six-month study sabbatical in Scotland.

Xander will be part of Seven’s Friday night team, with chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary to feature on the network’s beefed up coverage of Thursday night games.

There have been plenty of shake-ups and rumours at the network.

Channel 7 Melbourne newsreader Karina Carvalho joined the network last year. Picture: 7News

In July last year Carvalho joined Seven News and has now replaced Rebecca Maddern presenting on weekends alongside Mike Amor.

Maddern has now moved into the role of weeknight sports presenter as well as host of Thursday night footy.

Under new Seven West Media boss Anthony De Ceglie, who started in April last year, there’s been an overhaul of almost the entire news leadership team at Seven and the launch of a new national newsdesk.

But one thing that hasn’t had an overhaul, but rather has nosedived, is morale.

Watch this space.

Originally published as 7News Melbourne sports reporter Laura Spurway shown the door as boys’ club returns