Gerard Whateley unveils all-star SEN line-up as he begins new morning radio show

THERE’S been plenty of hype over Gerard Whateley’s decision to join SEN. Today, the radio station’s big-name recruit hit the airwaves - and arguably the biggest name of all joined him. WATCH his intro and HAVE YOUR SAY

Gerard Whateley hopes he doesn’t bugger it up. Picture: Stephen Harman

GERARD Whateley has revealed some of the big names he hopes can propel SEN up the radio ratings as the revered sports broadcaster today hit the airwaves - at pace.

Whateley joined SEN late last year in one of the most-publicised media moves in memory, his decision to leave the ABC after more than a decade among a host of changes at the sports radio station.

And SEN’s new marquee man has hit the ground running, with a weary Roger Federer joining him on the phone mid-way through his opening show.

Earlier, after opening his morning program simply called Whateley, the host said his new show would focus on sport, Melbourne and lifestyle, and he asked listeners to come with him on his journey.

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“Our journey will be shared by the voices that shape sport,” Whateley said.

“Gillon McLachlan, Nathan Buckley, Ange Postecoglou, Glenn Maxwell, Sharni Layton, Patrick Dangerfield, Ken Hinkley, Chris Scott, Daisy Pearce, Bob Murphy, Malcolm Blight, David King, Stephen Quartermain and Robert Craddock — men and women with the insights and experiences that light the way.”

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan will feature on SEN. Pic: Michael Klein

Collingwood Nathan Buckley worked with Whateley on AFL 360. Picture: David Crosling

After opening with a simple “Good morning, I’m Gerard Whateley and I’m thrilled to be here”, the long-time commentator roused Melburnians to embrace the city’s sporting culture.

“We claim to be the sporting capital of the world, not as some vacuous boast, but as a standard of living — one we adhere to and uphold through the late nights of the Australian Open, around Albert Park during the Grand Prix, in the silence of the terraces on Anzac Day, and on the MCG concourse on grand final morning,” he said.

“It’s there on the train to Flemington for the Cup, and in the act of dragging ourselves out of bed for the cricket on Boxing Day.”

A new beginning!

Here is what to expect on @WhateleySEN on SEN 1116 in 2018... pic.twitter.com/pgWaoj6PBk

— SEN 1116 (@SENNews) January 28, 2018

Whateley said he looked forward to getting to know his audience before laying “some cards on the table” for listeners who wanted to know more about the man who has replaced Kevin Bartlett in the 9am-midday timeslot.

“I’m a child of Allan Border, Gary Ablett Snr and LA Law,” he said.

“I’m inclined to think the peak of civilisation was either WrestleMania 3, or the ‘89 grand final (between Hawthorn and Geelong).

“A lump rises in my throat when the Jamaicans carry the bobsled across the finish line at the end of Cool Runnings, no matter how many times I’ve seen it.

Gerard Whateley says sport is very much part of the Melboiurne fabric. Picture: Ian Currie

“I like it when the Marshes play for Australia, I’m holding with Black Caviar over Winx and I’m yet to hear anyone make the case that Australian football is better off without Ange (Postecoglou).

“I don’t understand reverse sweeping, Bitcoin, Donald Trump’s tweets, Donald Trump’s presidency, renovation game shows and why my daughters can’t buy an Ellyse Perry bat from Rebel.”

Whateley said his father “taught me most of what I know about sport” and his wife was smarter than him.

“Although she reserves her sporting passions for the committee room at Flemington, and Crown (Casino) on the afternoon of the Brownlow,” he said.

“I believe the sporting gods are real, vengeful and perverse, and I’m not convinced they approve of punting.”

Whateley, a racing enthusiast and author of Black Caviar, the book, also said he believed “Australia changed profoundly the day Michelle Payne won the Melbourne Cup.”

Upon signing off from his maiden introduction, Whateley said mostly he “loved talking sport”, before borrowing a line from Gary Oldman in hit movie Darkest Hour.

“Here’s to not buggering it up.”

After his passionate opening, Whateley launched into thge topic of the day - Roger Federer’s magnificent Australian Open win. His first guest? Rod Laver.