Bombshell as Channel 7 commentator Luke Darcy quits the media

There has been another major shake-up in the footy media industry, with a big name opting to walk away completely.

The shake up in the AFL media landscape is continuing at full pace, particularly among the rival free-to-air networks.

It all kicked off last month when outspoken pundit Kane Cornes confirmed his defection from the Nine Network to Channel 7 for the 2025 season, with colleague and veteran journalist Caroline Wilson then opting to follow the same path.

Watch every game of the NAB AFL Women’s Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

Craig Hutchison, who was an original member of Footy Classified alongside Wilson, is also set to jump ship to Seven together with his media company.

Now it has emerged that Channel 7 and Triple M commentator Luke Darcy has reportedly decided to walk away from the industry all together.

Former ruckman Darcy, 49, played 226 games with the Western Bulldogs before entering the media upon his retirement in 2007.

Initially cutting his teeth with Network Ten, Darcy moved to Channel 7 in 2011 and has filled a variety of hosting and commentary roles since.

Channel 7 commentators Cameron Ling, Shaun Burgoyne, Matthew Richardson, Luke Hodge, Luke Darcy and Jobe Watson. Photo: Supplied

He also had a long-running breakfast show on Triple M with Eddie McGuire before that ended in 2020.

Darcy also got enormous notoriety for his interviews during the 2013 Essendon peptide saga and his repetition of the phrase, “say that again”.

Now the Herald Sun reports Darcy is walking away from the media to focus on pursuits outside of footy and being on camera, which include the family’s varied business interests.

The news comes on the back of a series of controversies involving Darcy, some directly related to Cornes.

In April this year, Darcy confronted Cornes during a live Triple M radio segment, infamously labelling the former Port Adelaide midfielder “more mean spirited and nasty to people than anyone in the history of our industry”.

Channel 9 commentator Kane Cornes is joining Seven in 2025.

Wilson was among those that defended Cornes after the attack and felt Darcy was out of line.

The fact Cornes was then joining Darcy at Seven led to some mostly good-natured ribbing among Cornes’ colleagues at Nine about tension between the pair.

The two had apparently cleared the air, to some extent, with Cornes recalling an incident on radio just last week where they had crossed paths at a Friday night footy game and acted cordially, with Cornes saying Darcy happily passed him some milk for a cup of tea.

A soap opera scriptwriter would be pleased to come up with some of this stuff.

But even that exchange became awkward, as Cornes had called in to Triple M from an Uber ride after Darcy brought up an incident between the ex-Power star and an industry colleague that had resulted in Cornes using the c-word.

Darcy took great delight in challenging his colleagues Damian Barrett and Nathan Brown that Cornes had asked them not to talk about the encounter he had with Dylan Leach, who works with betting company Neds.

Channel 7 launched a raid on Footy Classified commentators Caroline Wilson, Craig Hutchison and Kane Cornes. Picture: Channel 9

Darcy then topped off an awkward on-air period by dropping the news last Friday that Channel 7 sport presenter Tim Watson was finishing up at the network.

The former Bulldog then tried desperately to backtrack from the news and change the subject.

“That may have been an off-air conversation,” Darcy said.

“Let’s forget that part … let’s forget that …. we are going to move on from that part.”

Later in the segment he showed further regret.

“I am getting wave off everywhere here,” he said.

“Sorry ‘Whispy’ (Watson), one of the most loved people at Channel 7.”

It’s unclear whether all this recent drama had any impact on Darcy’s decision to leave the industry.

It’s understood Darcy is keen to have more time to watch his son Sam play with the Bulldogs.

Darcy and his family also have an array of business interests, including a wellness spa in Bali, pubs and venues in Victoria and a podcast on leadership.

Cornes, James Brayshaw and Brian Taylor were among the Seven talent that replaced the likes of former stalwart Bruce McAvaney. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Fans were having a field day with the news, including on social media site Reddit.

“The man really hates Kane Cornes,” one quipped.

“Not a bad trade period for Channel 7 so far. Am worried about their lack of height with losing Darcy,” joked another.

“Thank f**k. Insufferable that guy,” declared another bluntly.

“Nice bloke probably. But he’s the only actual voice I can’t stand listening to,” offered another.

Among a lot of negativity, there were some encouraging posts.

One wrote: “To give some credit he does sound genuinely excited/passionate for the game in much of his commentary.”

Another stated: “He’s not the most amazing caller but I reckon he’s a lot better than JB and BT. Calls it pretty straight and at least seems genuinely passionate about all teams.”

It will be interesting to see if the Channel 7 raid or the footy media’s merry-go-round has yet come to a stop before the 2025 season gets underway.

Originally published as Bombshell as Channel 7 commentator Luke Darcy quits the media