Mark Maclure splits with ABC Radio after 22 years covering AFL

Mark Maclure has been a staple on ABC’s footy coverage for more than two decades, but the former Carlton great has been told his time is up.

Mark Maclure with David King and Anthony Hudson at the Fox Footy Pie Night. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Footy great Mark Maclure has parted ways with ABC Radio after 22 years.

The former Carlton captain and triple-premiership star was informed of the decision last week.

Maclure, nicknamed Sellers, declined to comment but said he loved working at the ABC and had great respect for his commentary colleagues.

He is in discussions about other roles for the footy season.

Mark Maclure in action for Carlton during the 1979 grand final.

Maclure has also been a regular on Fox Footy appearing on AFL 360 until last year.

His strong views often created headlines and he never shied away from having a tough opinion.

Among those Maclure worked with on ABC on Saturdays was Corbin Middlemas, Matt Clinch and Adam Ramanauskas. Big names part other teams are Mick Malthouse, Brett Deledio and Marc Murphy.

Maclure, 67, played 243 games for the Blues and kicked 327 goals.

An ABC spokesman said: “It is never easy to say goodbye to someone of Mark’s calibre, who has made such an enormous contribution to the ABC’s AFL coverage for more than 20 years. We wish him all the best for the future.”

Despite his departure Maclure still offered a typically forthright assessment of Collingwood’s Jack Ginnivan and his drugs admission, saying a standard should be set and if you get caught you get three months.