Footy fans react to ‘unbelievable’ new AFL commentary line-up
Footy fans all had the same reaction as a new line-up of AFL commentators made their debut on Friday night in a big shake-up.
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The AFL season is officially underway for 2025 and footy fans were rejoicing at the new commentary line-up beamed through their screens on Friday night.
Fox Footy will have its own commentary for every game each round this year under a new broadcast agreement, and the network has brought out the big guns for the prime time slots.
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Anthony Hudson and Gerard Whateley called their first Friday night came together as Hawthorn defeated the Sydney Swans by 20 points at the SCG to kick off the season.
Whateley and ‘Huddo’ were ecstatic to be calling the action on television together.
“Can’t wait to share the commentary box for the first time with Gerard Whateley,” Hudson said as the duo stood on the SCG pre-game.
“You’ve called so much sport over the years G, now we get the chance to call Friday night footy together.
“It’s a such a great honour,” Whateley added.
“It’s a young man’s dream to be part of a team like this. Friday night footy has long been the marquee slot for the AFL. So what a time to be at Fox Footy.”
Whateley made his name as the boundary rider for Channel 10 in the 2000s, and has been calling on radio in recent years along with his role as AFL 360 host.
Garry Lyon said: “They are the best two callers in the game.”
Lyon and Hawks legend Jason Dunstall were the expert commentators on the game, with David King and Sarah Jones working the boundary.
Fox Footy unveiled a new look to the Friday night broadcast, including a new scoreboard graphic on the screen and special Friday night footy microphone.
Channel 7 also had a new look commentary team on Friday. James Brayshaw and Alister Nicholson called the action with Dale Thomas and Matthew Richardson on expert commentary.
Kane Cornes and Luke Hodge also featured on the pre-game, halftime and post-game coverage.
Brian Taylor will commentator Thursday night games on Seven alongside Hamish McLachlan.
Footy fans were ecstatic to hear Hudson and Whateley together in commentary.
SEN’s Nic Negrepontis wrote on X: “Whateley/Huddo/Garry/Chief/Kingy/Sarah is a fkn flex from Fox. That’s probably the best TV call team since peak Ch10 days.”
The Herald Sun’s Lauren Wood said: “Gerard and Huddo on a Friday night. Seriously, just so good.”
Anthony Leach said: “It’s finally arrived. The night we’ve all been waiting for. A BT-free Friday night.”
One fan wrote: “Friday night footy watchable again without having to listen to BT. Gerard and Huddo making a difference.”
A second said: “Huddo and Gerard on the call together is unbelievable.”
A third said: “Today begins the best era ever. No more @7AFL and Brian Taylor ruining Friday night footy. Gerard and Huddo on @FOXFOOTY How good.”
A fourth said: “Going from an era of JB & BT commentary to Gerard Whateley & Huddo is the equivalent of going from “That’s not my puppy books” to Shakespeare.”
“So good having fox commentators finally professional callers and no BT,” reacted one viewer.
Another said: “How good is Friday night footy on Kayo with Huddo instead of BT! Great game to start the season too!”
A fan wrote: “Probably the best thing about tonight is that there’s no BT. No more waffle/dribble/rubbish. Huddo and Gerard will just be sooooooooo much better.”
Another said: “Gerard and Huddo calling in tandem is an absolute delight. The D-Wade/LeBron of calling duos.”
As Hawthorn captain James Sicily scored a match sealing goal in the fourth quarter, Whateley said the dilemma of whether to play Sicily in defence or up forward was “tantalising”.
New recruits Tom Barrass and Josh Battle have strengthened Hawthorn’s defence and allowed Sicily to be a swingman while some of Hawthorn’s forwards are out injured.
“It will (be intriguing), and one of the hard things is he’s so good in defence,” Hudson said of Sicily during Fox Footy’s post-match coverage.
“You do give up something, don’t you? I guess, with the way they had to re-fashion the backline with the sub that was forced on them losing Worpel, they were able to rearrange things — and Sicily went forward and gave them more than just a target.”
Thursday night’s clash between the Brisbane Lions and Geelong was postponed due to Cyclone Alfred, but Fox Footy viewers will be treated to the duo of Matt Hill and Mark Howard calling Thursday night games this season.
Fox Footy will be the only place to watch AFL games on a Saturday in Victoria and Tasmania for every round of the home and away season, and nationally for the first eight rounds.
Originally published as Footy fans react to ‘unbelievable’ new AFL commentary line-up
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