Page 13: Is Tony Armstrong gunning for Channel 7’s Tim Watson?

AFL great Garry Lyon has dropped a cheeky hint on SEN about Tony Armstrong whipping up more speculation about a potential network swap.

The rumour mill is spinning speculation that Tony Armstrong could be Channel 7’s next sports anchor. Picture: ABC

After we, Page 13, floated Tony Armstrong may be leaving Aunty for a role at Seven, comes a little ribbing from Garry Lyon to further fuel the fire.

The Fox Footy host this week sparked more speculation about a potential network swap when he gave his SEN Breakfast co-host Tim Watson, who is away on holidays, a cheeky driveby saying Armstrong may replace him as Channel 7 sports anchor.

Could Logie Award-winner Tony Armstrong be the next Channel 7 sports anchor? Picture: Instagram

Seven decline to comment, but it hasn’t stopped the TV rumour mill from going into overdrive, as Watson prepares to announce his retirement after 13 years of presenting sport on 7 News Melbourne.

Luke Darcy, who also announced he was leaving the network, let the cat out of the bag about Watson’s exit on Triple M last month.

Tim Watson, right, is preparing to announce his retirement from 7News. Picture: Seven

Weekend news anchor Rebecca Maddern had been seen as the frontrunner to shuffle into the nightly sports chair, but anything can happen in TV, with it no secret Seven is planning for a “new era”.

Leading this “new wave” is new Seven news boss Anthony De Ceglie who has installed a fresh face, Chris Salter, as the Melbourne boss after the departure of Shaun Menegola.

The speculation comes after gold Logie nominee Armstrong exited his presenting role on the ABC News Breakfast program last week and it is understood his current contract with the ABC expires later this month. Watch this space.