Gerard Whateley leaves ABC Radio to host morning program, call sport on SEN

UPDATE: A last-minute backflip by the ABC cost Gerard Whateley the chance to say goodbye after news broke of his shock defection to SEN.

UPDATE: A LAST-MINUTE backflip by the ABC cost Gerard Whateley the chance to say goodbye after a 17-year association.

Management at the national broadcaster initially gave the green light for their chief caller to bid farewell after he completed the final Test match of the Ashes series.

But once Whateley’s defection to SEN became public yesterday, the ABC decided to cut ties immediately with one of their most popular voices.

BEHIND THE MIC: WHO IS THE REAL GERARD WHATELEY?

Whateley, 43, is replacing Kevin Bartlett in the 9am to midday time slot — Monday to Thursday — while also taking up the position of SEN’s chief sports caller.

Instead of signing off in Sydney next week as planned, Whateley was forced to post a message on social media thanking his loyal band of followers at the ABC.

“It was initially thought I would complete the Ashes series in Sydney and take the opportunity at the conclusion of the Test to say thank you and goodbye,” Whateley said.

“Circumstances have changed and that won’t be the case.”

He described his time at the ABC — he was a full-time employee for 13 years during which he called 14 AFL Grand Finals, 10 Melbourne Cups and three Olympic Games — as an “honour and a privilege”.

Gerard Whateley (left) interviews Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland and English Cricket Board CEO Tom Harrison during the Boxing Day Test.

Whateley’s shock move continues the reshaping of SEN under Crocmedia boss Craig Hutchison, with his signature a major coup for the sports station.

His arrival makes it a dream team for SEN on Friday nights with the new recruit calling alongside Anthony Hudson and Garry Lyon. He will also call Saturday afternoon AFL games.

The morning show will be known simply as Whateley and is aiming to be a sports version of Melbourne talk radio institutions Neil Mitchell on 3AW and the ABC’s Jon Faine.

“SEN clearly has a desire to change the substance of what they do, thus change the perception,” Whateley said.

“I reckon that is a really powerful combination if they are able to achieve that and that’s why I’m going there.

“The challenge is to create a show that truly reflects the relationship between Melbourne and sport.

Sports presenter Gerard Whateley with his family, wife Claire and children Rebecca (left), Alyssa (right) and Benji. Picture: Michael Klein

“We all know, it’s our boast, that we have a unique relationship that exists and it pervades boardrooms, schoolyards, pubs and work sites.

“Sport is a part of our lives in Melbourne so to have a daily conversation that is built on intelligent, challenging, measured discussion, debate and interviews.

“That is what I think could resonate through every level of the community and I want it to be a place where those involved in the sport, players, coaches and administrators want to participate.”

Whateley, who will continue as co-host of Fox Footy’s AFL 360, starts at SEN on Monday January 29 with his first major gig the following week, when he’ll head to Minnesota to front SEN’s Super Bowl coverage.

Bartlett has moved to afternoons in the 3pm-6pm timeslot.

Long-time drive hosts David Schwarz and Mark Allen were sacked following their final show of the year after more than a decade at the station.

A new challenge pic.twitter.com/xDLFHaENTZ

— Gerard Whateley (@GerardWhateley) January 1, 2018

The Whateley signing is the latest change implemented by the SEN’s new management led by Hutchison, whose company merged with the station’s original owner Pacific Star Network last month.

One of Hutchison’s first points of business was to back in Garry Lyon and Tim Watson, who will continue on the breakfast show in 2018.

Andy Maher returns to the station for the 12pm-3pm lunchtime slot — replacing Francis Leach — while a new line-up for the 6pm-8pm slot will be revealed in coming weeks.