AFL media 2022: 3AW’s surprise radio move, Tom Morris’ next move revealed

If you tune into footy’s top radio station tonight hoping to hear Buddy versus the Bont you will be in for a surprise. Get the latest media gossip.

Footy’s No.1 radio station will be playing Denis Walter rather than tonight’s Western Bulldogs vs Sydney game.

In a shock move, 3AW has decided to cease covering Thursday night AFL games in preference to keeping its regular weekday programming in place.

The dulcet tones of Walter are seen as a better business decision by 3AW, which is now run out of Nine Entertainment’s headquarters in Sydney.

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After covering the opening two Thursday night games of the AFL season, the desire to keep its normal shows and targeted audience happy superseded the station’s commitment to AFL.

The decision aligns 3AW with Nine’s NRL station 2GB, which also doesn’t cover Thursday night games.

Caller Tony Leonard will provide updates on the Dogs-Swans game into Walter’s ‘Nights’ show.

3AW has consistently won the AFL ratings, particularly with the older demographic, while Triple M has been its closest competitor on the FM dial.

The move has been met with raised eyebrows at AFL headquarters given the radio rights are up for negotiation at the end of the year.

TOM MORRIS’S NEXT MOVE REVEALED

Former Fox Footy reporter Tom Morris isn’t fleeing overseas in the wake of his dismissal over sexist remarks.

The scuttlebutt doing the rounds had him heading over to London but Morris is keeping a low profile and working on his professional development.

It’s understood the very remorseful Morris is speaking to experts, doing an online education course and getting involved in some charity work.

Fox Footy sacked Morris over sexist remarks he made about a female colleague as well as separate homophobic and racist slurs, which were widely circulated on social media.

This weekend Morris is playing in a District Cricket grand final with St Kilda’s Second XI.

Former Fox Footy reporter Tom Morris is keeping a low profile in Melbourne.

BROWNE AXES KEY MAGPIES STAFFER

New Collingwood president Jeff Browne has made the first major statement of his reign, punting long-time media manager Stephen Rielly.

Rielly had been the general manager of Media and PR since 2012 but agreed on Monday to sever ties with the Pies.

The relationship between the pair had been frosty from the start with Rielly supportive of former president Mark Korda and the incumbent board during last year’s messy election battle.

When Browne won his way onto the board and then was anointed the top dog, Rielly’s days were numbered.

It’s understood so broken was the relationship that the new president wasn’t even responding to emails from the media boss.

Rielly, a former journo at The Age and Australian with more than 20 years experience, revolutionised the Pies media department and its digital arm.

His departure is another blow to the AFL media manager ranks who lost one of its most respected and liked operators, Geelong’s Kevin Diggerson, last month.

Diggerson was also the victim of a new broom sweeping through Kardinia Park under recently appointed CEO Steve Hocking.

The concern for the AFL is that clubs are decreasing expertise around media, preferring to cut costs and thrust it more to inexperienced hands in marketing departments.

Ironically on the day Rielly exited, the Magpies had a blow-up with Channel 9 who were warned to stop door-stopping players as they entered the training facility.

Threats of being banned from future interviews was thrown around, much to the amusement of Nine given Jeff Browne’s son, Tom, is the king of the carpark bail-up in his role as Channel 7’s chief football reporter.

Alister Nicholson continues to spread his wings, calling for 3AW. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

MEDIA STREET SHORTS:

RADIO GURU BACKFLIPS ON STATION SWITCH

Experienced radio man Ross Flegeltaub’s defection from SEN to RSN has been short-lived.

He had been in discussions with RSN to take over as program director but some late developments saw him remain with Craig Hutchison’s sports network.

Flegeltaub has resumed his seat as executive producer of Gerard Whateley’s morning program.

NICHOLSON’S SURPRISE MOVE

To rub salt into the wounds of ABC fans of commentator Alister Nicholson, he made a surprise appearance on 3AW over the weekend.

Nicholson left the ABC over the summer after a dispute over his other work with Channel 7 where he has become a rising star.

He is expected to become a regular contributor on 3AW over the season.

Nicholson teamed with Channel 7’s main man Brian Taylor to commentate Sunday’s Richmond-GWS Giants clash.

Kath Loughnan continues to kick goals in football media.

FOX FOOTY STAR JOINS RADIO RANKS

Kath Loughnan’s star continues to rise with the Fox Footy host joining Triple M.

Loughnan has slotted into the third seat on the popular Dead Set Legends show alongside former St Kilda star Leigh Montagna and Herald Sun guru Jay Clark.

The high-rating Saturday morning show has been on the lookout for a new host after Emma Freedman, the daughter of leading racehorse trainer Lee, was forced to leave as her commitments with Channel 7’s racing coverage increased.

Comedian Sarah Maree Cameron filled in during the pre-season with Loughnan taking over the reins for Round 1.