Loved footy commentator Anthony Hudson defects to rival after sudden exit

There has been another big move in AFL radio’s game of musical chairs with a popular commentator reportedly making a surprise move.

Jacqui Felgate and Anthony Hudson are teaming up.

Anthony Hudson won’t be lost to the airwaves with reports emerging the loved commentator will be back with 3AW radio in 2023.

Hudson and SEN surprised footy fans on Monday when it was announced the veteran caller has made a sudden exit from the Melbourne-based radio network after a partnership of nearly 20 years.

Watch every match of the AFLW Season LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The Herald Sun reports rival network 3AW has snatched up Hudson to call Friday night games as part of its beefed up AFL commentary team.

It was confirmed last month 3AW is making big changes to its live football coverage with popular TV presenter Jacqui Felgate announced to be its new leading voice.

Felgate is moving on after nearly a decade at Seven, where her role grew to include regular appearances in co-hosting the Brownlow medal presentation.

Hudson and Felgate will feature alongside Matthew Lloyd, Jimmy Bartel, Leigh Matthews, Caroline Wilson and Tim Lane in the network’s expanded football coverage.

The station is owned and operated by Seven’s rival Nine Entertainment Co.

Jacqui Felgate and Anthony Hudson are teaming up.

It comes as The Age reports Triple M also had interested in luring Hudson to join its popular football coverage.

The loved Fox Footy commentator has already finished up at SEN and won’t be heard on the station again despite having previously been a central figure in the station’s cricket coverage.

The station announced the news on Monday morning, releasing a statement thanking Hudson for his many years with the Melbourne broadcaster.

The statement suggested Hudson’s expanding TV roles clashed with his radio commitments, making the partnership no longer tenable.

“There are few that have played a bigger role and contributed as much to SEN as Anthony has, particularly in the early days where his behind the scenes work was critical to SEN’s survival,” SEN boss Craig Hutchison said.

“Huddo is much loved by our audience and our team, and is undoubtedly one of the great sports broadcasters of Australian sport, now and over history.

The best in the business.

“While we are undoubtedly disappointed to lose Anthony and would have loved for him to remain as part of the SEN family, we are respectful of the challenges around his availability due to TV commitments. We wish him, his wife Eloise and family well with his next move that suits this availability. He’ll be missed.”

Hudson remains part of the Fox Footy team and will remain with the Foxtel giant in his expanding roles through live match-day broadcasts and panel commentary programs.

Hudson’s replacement on Friday night football alongside chief sports caller Gerard Whateley is yet to be announced.

Danny Frawley, Anthony Hudson, Garry Lyon and Nick Dal Santo. Picture: Valeriu Campan.

Originally published as Loved footy commentator Anthony Hudson defects to rival after sudden exit