Wayne Carey’s Ch 7 replacement revealed

An ex-AFL “champion” will take over footy commentary on Saturday nights after Channel 7 parted ways with Wayne Carey in the wake of his white powder scandal.

Time On, your Monday wrap-up of all the footy gossip, kicks off today ahead of the season opener on Thursday night.

Jobe Watson has been earmarked for a greater role on Channel 7 footy this season.

The former Essendon champion will appear on the coverage a lot more, doing a few Thursdays, Sundays, major games like Anzac Day and Saturday nights commentating in place of Wayne Carey.

Jobe Watson will replace Wayne Carey on Saturday nights.

Watson will even commentate alongside his father Tim at times.

Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin said: “Jobe Watson is a champion player and a champion person, and we look forward to hearing him more on Seven’s AFL coverage in 2023 on key matches across Thursday nights, Saturday nights and Sundays, where on occasion he will commentate alongside his father.

Two greats of the game with an unrivalled footy knowledge, together on Seven, Your Home of Footy.”

Also stepping up is Dale Thomas who will take on boundary riding duties, starting with Saturday night’s clash between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.

New teeth, who dis?

It’s started already – Tony Jones being teased about his chompers.

Geelong’s Mark Blicavs didn’t impress the Channel 9 host after signing off a live cross last week with ‘thank you Chompers’.

Jones said I thought we were ‘above all that’, pointedly adding ‘come on the Magpies’ on Friday night.

But there could be others joining him in chompers status with word that other footy types have got new pearly whites – namely Nick Riewoldt and Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge. Good luck if you’re brave enough to call Bevo chompers!

Bevo is sporting a new pair of pearly whites. Picture: Michael Klein

Browny to umpire Bucks and Gaz

Jonathan Brown is ready for battle and banter on the couch this season.

He returns tonight in Fox Footy’s On The Couch alongside Garry Lyon and recruit Nathan Buckley who replaces Nick Riewoldt.

“Bucks was my wingman on Best On Ground so we’ll have a spell from that and sit on a new couch,’’ Brown said.

“I might have to be the referee between Bucks and Gaz, they’ve had a few bust ups on radio.

Jonathan Brown, Garry Lyon and Nathan Buckley. Picture: Alex Coppel

Bucks is the most recent coach out of the game and he’s well versed and very intelligent. I really enjoy working with him.

“There’s a general excitement about the whole competition and the season ahead.”

Brown will be preparing well today, with words from his old coach Leigh Matthews still on his mind.

“As Lethal used to tell us (at the Lions) there’s no public holidays for footy,’’ he said.

“He used to tell us that all the time. You’re pro athletes, there’s no such thing.”

Rival footy journos team up

Sam McClure and Mitch Cleary have teamed up for a new podcast, Tradies.

Craig Hutchison received a stern message from Channel 7 footy journo Mitch Cleary.

The beef was over Cleary’s new podcast alongside Channel 9’s Sam McClure which raised Hutchy’s eyebrow given they’re on opposing networks.

Tension between Cleary and Hutchy has cleared up, given they are long-time friends, but the SEN boss was sheepish when he brought up the matter again on his podcast The Sounding Board alongside Damian Barrett.

Cleary and McClure’s new offering Tradies starts on Wednesday.

McClure told us: “This podcast has been a concept I’ve been working on for a few years now. I think two footy journos from rival networks pairing up will have a really cool feel to it. We’ve teamed up with podcast network Producey to bring it to life and I’m excited to see the reaction.”

Cripps’ close encounter with shark

Erin Phillips took Patrick Cripps cage diving.

Cripps said his shark cage diving experience was ‘magic’.

Carlton superstar Patrick Cripps recently had a close encounter with sharks in Port Lincoln, South Australia.

Given a tour by Erin Phillips, the Brownlow medallist and Foxtel ambassador described the experience as ‘magic’.

That’s one way to get the adrenaline flowing ahead of a big season opener.

Sheedy’s proud Windy Hill moment

Footy legend Kevin Sheedy was chuffed when he took his grandson Thomas to Windy Hill last week.

He captured the joy of the six-year-old meeting his favourite player Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.

“It’s a classic story of how kids see people – and see them all as equals,’’ he said.

Sheedy’s other grandson Ollie, 7, is a mad Sydney Swans fan who idolises Buddy Franklin.

Kevin Sheedy’s grandson Thomas, 6, with Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.