Time On: Brian Taylor hits back at critics confirming he’s here to stay
Veteran Channel 7 footy commentator Brian Taylor has moved to clear the air over his standing at the network after one of his biggest supporters lost his job.
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Time On is your wrap-up of all the footy media gossip and banter.
Brian Taylor has a message for his critics — he’s here to stay.
The veteran Channel 7 footy commentator has moved to clear the air over his standing at the network.
Speaking on his podcast, Life of Brian, Taylor said: “I am glad to be able to say that I have signed for five years at the Seven Network. So for all those people out there wondering whether you like me or you don’t, bad luck, you’ve got me.”
Taylor’s commentary often cops backlash on social media and it was reported in the Herald Sun that he was nervous when good friend and the head of sport, Lewis Martin, exited the company during recent sweeping changes announced by the company.
Taylor said Martin was in a good place and he was supportive of Chris Jones, the new head of sport, who he said knows footy “better than anyone at Seven”.
“You bet they are (good changes). They’re fantastic,’’ Taylor said.
“Lewis Martin and his departure, he was happy in the end to go. He feels like the world’s been lifted off his shoulders now and he’s at an age where he could possibly make a decision to retire if he wanted to. So he did a great job. You know what he did? He built an incredible team over a long period of time.
“And I’m glad to see it looks like those that are in the team are very grateful and it looks like they’re gonna continue with that same team. There might be a little change or two over the next few years, but other than that, it is absolutely fantastic.”
NBA star put in his place
When Tom Mitchell, Josh Giddey and Nick Daicos catch up, who’s the one being asked by a fan for the photo?
In a humorous twist, it was NBA basketball star Giddey being asked by a lady to take a picture of her with Nick Daicos.
Mitchell, a Brownlow medallist and premiership player himself, captured the moment and posted it to TikTok.
He wrote: “When Giddey gets asked to take a photograph for Daics” with a laughing emoji.
Craig Hutchison celebrates 50th birthday in New York
Media mogul Craig Hutchison has been in the US celebrating his 50th birthday.
While the milestone isn’t until December, the SEN boss wanted to take in a US summer with family and friends.
“It’s probably the earliest anyone has ever gone (with celebrating),’’ Hutchison said on his The Sounding Board podcast.
“True to form the American summer is a bit more my go than the Australian summer so it’s been building up for a while.”
Hutchison was spotted in celebrity hotspot the Hamptons and jetskiing on the Hudson River.
On his personal and business “incognito” trip he also attended the NBA Draft.
“The music, the vibe, the pageantry and interactions … it’s unbelievable,’’ he said.
“Amazing to see it in person. A lot for the AFL to learn.”
Rooey’s ‘armageddon’ as hurricane Beryl hits Texas
Nick Riewoldt has detailed being swept up in hurricane Beryl as it tore through Texas overnight.
While recording his Footy Talk podcast with Leigh Montagna, the Saints champion described it like a movie scene.
“Bloody Beryl, it’s armageddon outside,” Riewoldt said.
“It’s about two in the morning, I heard it come through. Seriously I thought the whole house was shaking. I have never experienced a hurricane before. A lot of people are pretty casual about it because Houston has been pounded over the years with Katrina and Ike. It was pretty full on.”
Riewoldt said he forgot to bring in the outdoor furniture but otherwise his family, wife Cath and three sons, were safe.
“The fence has fallen over and limbs down everywhere, a lot of trees down and no power, gee it’s a pain in the a …,’’ he said.
“I reckon I tried to turn on 14 light switches … it’s amazing how dumb you can be. A lot of people have generators so I’m around at a friend’s place whose got a generator.
“(My son) Will was having a sleepover which probably wasn’t the most responsible thing, Teddy was fine and James is away he’s in Arkansas. Teddy held down the fort.”
‘Trump-Biden replay’: Kennett clashes with journo in heated TV debate
A television interview with former Hawks president Jeff Kennett has been slammed as “appalling” and “farcical” by viewers.
Kennett was a guest on Footy Classified on Monday night but for almost 15 minutes no one seemed to finish a sentence or make a salient point.
Kennett attempted to respond to a question from panellist Caroline Wilson but the pair began to bicker with Wilson saying. “It’s not fair to have a history lesson, we don’t have time.”
At one point Kane Cornes appeared to be smirking while Matthew Lloyd got in only one short question.
Host Sam McClure also clashed with Kennett over the historical racism allegations at the club.
Kennett concluded: “When you’re ready and if we get over tonight, could you invite me back, I would love to talk to you about the condition of the AFL and where it’s going.“
Wilson then claimed Kennett had asked to come on the show.
Viewers posted on X: “What a farce that was 12 minutes of talking over the top of each other for no outcome either way.”
Another commented: “Be better. That interview with Jeff Kennett did human nature and the game of AFL no good whatsoever. Appalling television.”
One even suggested they were watching “a replay of Trump/Biden”.
Bucks given heave-ho at SEN in roster bungle
We’ve all done it – got the time and date wrong.
But it was new ground for Nathan Buckley who rocked up for his usual Monday morning radio job.
Bucks rocked up at SEN at 5am to work alongside Kane Cornes and was told to go home.
Yes, the Collingwood legend was given the heave-ho for TV reporter Tom Morris who was rostered on.
“I was looking forward to this morning and I turned up here earlier and I got told Nathan Buckley came as well,’’ Morris said at the start of the show.
“Bucks came to the door and didn’t read his schedule correct and he got sent away by (producer) Mitch.”
“It’s amazing,’’ Cornes said.
“Mitch came in and said Bucks was here a bit earlier than what I was. You wouldn’t believe it, Bucks rocked up at 5 o’clock and we had to turn him away. Think he was reasonably OK with that.”
Morris had no sympathy, saying: “He just needs to read his calendar.”
He came armed with some ”information”, suggesting Channel 7 would have a Sunday morning footy show next season.
“I don’t know what time, I don’t know who’s going to be on it … my information is they’ll have a couple of new shows next year,’’ Morris said.
Roos jumps to apologise for Kangas comments
Premiership coach and commentator Paul Roos has apologised for comments he made about North Melbourne in the wake of criticism and their second win of the season.
Roos was criticised – namely by former club champion Corey McKernan – for suggesting that Carlton’s reserves in the 1980s would beat current-day North.
He said on ABC radio on Sunday that he was referring to the lack of depth in modern footy and was taken “out of context”.
McKernan didn’t hold back on X after Roos, who recently worked as a consultant for North, made the comments on SEN during the week.
“Oh really? That’s interesting given that Roosy took the cash from @NMFCOfficial and was part of it — it’s a really stupid comment from Roosy, not a bad gig by the way working remotely from Hawaii,” he wrote.
Roos said: “I apologise because it was taken completely out of context, I wish the Kangas all the best and they’re playing really good footy at the moment.”
North beat Gold Coast by four points in a thriller on Saturday to lift themselves off the bottom of the ladder.
Much of the team celebrated on Saturday night at INCA, the reimagined Morris Jones, staying until midnight. Those in attendance included Bailey Scott and partner Bella Henry, Toby Pink and partner Chloe Vanderhorst, plus George Wardlaw and Paul Curtis.
Darcy rules out return to breakfast radio
Luke Darcy has categorically ruled himself out of returning to breakfast radio.
Darcy co-hosted the Hot Breakfast with Eddie McGuire for 11 years and Triple M announced on Thursday that The Marty Sheargold Show was moving to afternoons, leaving a vacancy and much chatter about who will takeover.
“No amount of money would make that a possibility,’’ Darcy said on the Saturday Rub.
Long time (11 years), never would you go back to that. Write your own cheque, I wouldn’t go back. Great job and a lot of fun, great to do (but) you convince yourself you’re not tired.”
Weddings bells in the air for Bombers
Essendon star Jake Stringer has four children and a fiance.
The forward is one of three Bombers to get engaged this season, along with Kyle Langford and Mason Redman.
Stringer and partner Taylor McVeigh have two children, and he’s got two daughters with former partner Abby Gilmore.
“That’s true, got four kids at home,’’ Stringer told Seven’s Brian Taylor on Roaming Brian after Friday night’s win over Collingwood.
Alex and Mia Fevola’s big Flemington reveal
Mother-daughter duo Alex and Mia Fevola are racing into Flemington’s VIP Birdcage over the Melbourne Cup Carnival with a new business venture.
Pies star and wife share adorable pregnancy announcement
Collingwood premiership defender Jeremy Howe and his wife Kahlia are expecting their second child and have announced the news in a cute social media video.