Craig Hutchison lauds addition of Gerard Whateley to new SEN line-up

THEIR friendship once “all went south” but SEN boss Craig Hutchison can’t wait for his star recruit to join the Melbourne sports radio station’s new-look line-up.

CRAIG Hutchison has lauded his star recruit Gerard Whateley as the CrocMedia boss prepares to go public with his new-look SEN line-up.

Earlier this month Whateley revealed he was leaving the ABC to join the revamped SEN, a move many believe can kickstart the Melbourne sports radio station as it attempts to fight its way back up the ratings.

Speaking on Saturday, on the radio station in which he will be chief executive, Hutchison was wary to “avoid a running commentary” on the exact make-up of the station’s full line-up but gave a glowing endorsement for Whateley — SEN’s new acquisition.

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“(I’m) really excited about that,” Hutchison said of Whateley, his one-time mentor.

“Gerard is arguably the best all-round sports journalist, broadcaster and commentator in the country — certainly in those three different genres. The ensemble of that, in my mind, makes him at the front of broadcasting.

Craig Hutchison is rapt to have poached Gerard Whateley from the ABC.

“He’s loved by the industry, he has a big fan base. He’s intelligent, considered and, most importantly, a little different.

“So it just gives us a completely different feel and reset. I’ve got a huge respect for Gerard. We haven’t had a heap to do with each other in the last 10 years but I’ve always had massive respect and I can’t wait for him to spearhead where we’re all going as a station and as a business.

“His calling’s magnificent as you know and he shapes opinion, he’s got an opinion and he has intelligent and considered conversations with people ...”

Whateley’s addition will again see the pair work together, long after Hutchison once revealed the friends had a falling out over a work assignment while reporting for rival TV stations.

In 2016 Hutchison said his friendship with the star broadcaster “all went south” after the then-Channel 7 reporter, eager not to give away a scoop, deceived Whateley (working for Network Ten) in order to ensure he had the competitive advantage.

Gerard Whateley, seen here with AFL boss Gill McLachlan, will continue hosting AFL 360 with Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson.

“Gerard, to his credit, has never actually been demonstrative about it, but it affected our friendship. We were never quite the same after that,” Hutchison said on an episode of The Sounding Board podcast.

“But he’s a superstar at what he does and I think the world of him — as a person and a broadcaster.”

Whateley will take over the 9am-midday slot former occupied by SEN veteran Kevin Bartlett, who has moved to an afternoon slot.

Long-time hosts of SEN’s The Run Home program David Schwarz and Mark Allen were axed.

Last week documents lodged with the Australian Stock Exchange revealed Hutchison, whose company will merge with the station’s original owner, Pacific Star Network, would be chief executive and managing director and also join the board.

He is set to enjoy an annual salary of $883,752.