Brian Taylor exits Friday night footy in commentary shake up

After 12 years as Channel 7’s prime caller, Brian Taylor will step into a new role as the network prepares to go head-to-head with a star-studded Fox Footy lineup for the first time.

Brian Taylor and James Brayshaw have called Friday nights together for years. Picture: Supplied

Veteran commentator Brian Taylor is set for a new role on Seven’s broadcast next year, moving from Friday nights to Thursday nights.

The battle for viewers will be hotter than ever for season 2025, with Fox Footy building it’s own broadcast team to call every game live under the new TV rights deal.

Taylor — the station’s longtime number one caller — will only partner with regular Friday night co-commentator James Brayshaw for marquee matches such as Anzac Day and finals.

In the mix to join Taylor are Alistair Nicholson and Hamish McLachlan, and it’s believed McLachlan will join him on Thursdays.

Taylor’s Roaming Brian segment could also move to Thursday nights as the new post-broadcast program called Extra Time moves into Fridays.

Brian Taylor is shifting to Thursday night footy. Picture: Channel 7/Supplied

It’s expected other high profile Friday night experts will also make the move to Thursday, which has been given more focus by Seven.

New recruit Kane Cornes has already stated he’s keen for a Thursday night expert commentary role.

Bruce McAvaney, who returned to footy during the finals last year, is another expected to take up a hosting role.

Seven has lost Luke Darcy from its commentary ranks after he stepped down from the media. His departure also leaves the door open for a commentator on Friday nights with radio Triple M, which Taylor could be secured for.

Taylor has been Seven’s prime caller alongside McAvaney and then Brayshaw since 2012.

The shake up comes as Fox Footy announced a dream team for Friday night’s action with Gerard Whateley and Anthony Hudson to partner up on the pay TV line-up.

The popular pair has worked together on radio for four years but 2025 will mark Whateley’s television calling debut on Fox Footy.

Anthony Hudson and Gerard Whateley will form a Friday night dream team for Fox Footy.

He already hosts the nightly program AFL360.

Fox Footy has also signed Leigh Matthews, Shaun Burgoyne, Tom Hawkins, Adam Simpson, and is in talks with Dustin Martin about a role.

Jack Riewoldt will replace Garry Lyon as host of On The Couch with Lyon joining Whateley on AFL360.

Seven’s director of sport Chris Jones has also reshaped the landscape having poached Cornes, Craig Hutchison and Caroline Wilson from Channel 9, and signing Nick Riewoldt.

He’s also introducing a slate of new programs such as Agenda Setters, The Wash Up, Kane’s Call, Unfiltered and Sunday Footy Feast.

Commentary announcements are expected in the new year.

“Our AFL production team led by Head of AFL, Gary O’Keeffe, are working in the background to piece together the best possible line-up in 2025,’’ Jones said.

“We look forward to sharing more details about Seven’s 2025 AFL commentary line-up in the new year.”