Robert Murphy and Sharnelle Vella to be ABC’s new breakfast radio team

Former Western Bulldogs skipper Robert Murphy is returning to radio as part of a double act set to replace outgoing ABC Breakfast host Sammy J.

Murphy has returned to Melbourne after working with Fremantle in recent years

Former Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy will join Channel 7 journalist Sharnelle Vella as the new ABC breakfast team.

The unlikely couple are replacing Sammy J who announced on Wednesday morning that he was stepping down after five years.

Murphy has previously worked on radio with SEN before moving to Fremantle where he worked in the football department before returning to Melbourne in recent months.

The 42-year-old retired after 17 seasons with the Bulldogs in 2017.

He was a natural in the media space in the later part of his career appearing on Fox Footy and regularly featuring on the ABC.

In 2019, he joined Andy Maher as host of SEN’s late afternoon show.

He moved to Perth in 2021 to become Fremantle’s head of football operations and performance.

A number of AFL clubs, including Collingwood, had sounded out Murphy about football manager roles in recent weeks.

Vella was the state political editor before announcing on Monday she was leaving the network after seven years.

Robert Murphy is returning to the media with ABC Radio. Picture: Michael Klein

Vella already did a weekly Wednesday segment on the public broadcaster with Sammy J.

Her shock departure was announced via email on Monday along with the exiting of Tim Watson as sports anchor.

Vella was tight lipped when contacted on Wednesday morning: “I’m enjoying saying goodbye to friends and colleagues at Channel 7 and will have more to say in due course.”

Murphy will co-host the program with Sharnelle Vella.

Sammy J will present his final breakfast show on Friday December 13.

“I leave with pride, gratitude and a litany of cash for comment scandals that will be revealed in due course,” the Melbourne comedian said.

Murphy and Vella will begin their new show in early 2025.