ABC presenter Tony Armstrong announces football comeback

Popular TV identity Tony Armstrong has announced he is coming out of football retirement after seven years away from the AFL.

Former AFL player Tony Armstrong has signed with Barwon Heads. Picture: Alan Barber.

Popular ABC presenter Tony Armstrong is coming out of retirement to play for a local Victorian football club.

The 32-year-old has signed on with Barwon Heads Seagulls for the remainder of the 2022 season — and hopes he will be able to juggle his football comeback with his many other media commitments.

His AFL career included six seasons at the top level where he played for the Swans, Magpies and Crows.

Now the much-loved ABC News Breakfast reporter is ready to pull on his footy boots for the first time in three years.

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Former AFL player Tony Armstrong has signed with Barwon Heads. Picture: Alan Barber.

He spent time away from football following his retirement from the AFL in 2015 before eventually becoming co-coach and player with Geelong Football League club Lara.

He was forced to give the game away in 2019 as his media career took off, but he’s now ready to return.

His Seagulls club, which is based near Geelong, has won nine consecutive games in the Bellarine Football League.

He has told The Geelong Advertiser the opportunity to play with his former Collingwood teammate Nathan Brown was a major motivation in his decision to make a comeback.

“Just the opportunity to get to play with him again and … starting a bit further back down the ground, that obviously sets me up perfectly to be able to hit up the big fella,” Armstrong said.

“Why wouldn’t you want to. He’s very dominant, I think he kicked seven on the weekend, he’s a gun.

“If I can chuck a couple down his throat, that’ll make my day.

Former AFL player Tony Armstrong in action with his new teammates. Picture: Alan Barber.

“I’m just looking forward to having a bit of a kick and having a bit of fun, I haven’t played footy in the best part of three years I don’t reckon, I’m genuinely like a little kid, I’m so excited for it.”

His new coach Don Donati has revealed the club expects Armstrong to be available to play every weekend.

“He’s had the itch for a fair while, and I’m pleased to say last (Sunday) night he indicated he wanted to play,” he said, according to Geelong radio station Bay 93.9.

“His commitment is that he’ll be available to play every week.

“He’s as keen as mustard to play.

“I’m so excited for it,” said Armstrong. Picture: Alan Barber

“I think he was half-tempted earlier in the season, but with media commitments and waiting for that to settle down, he now knows what he can and can’t do.”

It’s a very big week for Armstrong. He will be involved as a presenter at Sunday night’s 62nd Logie Awards where he is up for the Graham Kennedy Award for most popular new talent.

He is also recovering from a wild on-air celebration that went viral on Tuesday following the Socceroos’ victory over Peru, which put the Aussie team into the Qatar World Cup late this year.

Armstrong was in the middle of some chaotic scenes in Melbourne’s Federation Square as fans who got up early to watch the game went absolutely berserk celebrating the victory.

Armstrong was mobbed by Australian supporters in a chaotic live TV cross.

BREAKING: @Socceroos are through to the World Cup 🟡🟢🟡🟢 @Tonaaayy_ was in the thick of it at Melbourne’s Fed Square when Australia defeated Peru in a penalty shoot-out!

#AUSvPERpic.twitter.com/YVTkspVIe3

— News Breakfast (@BreakfastNews) June 13, 2022

All TV crosses on the ABC News Channel should have this energy from now on. pic.twitter.com/f5qh7Skp3H

— Matt Bevan (@MatthewBevan) June 13, 2022