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AFL world in frenzy as Brian Taylor teases post grand final announcement

Veteran commentator Brian Taylor has sent the AFL into a spin with a cryptic remark about a post grand final bombshell.

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Brian Taylor has sent the AFL world into a frenzy after teasing a major announcement set to be made following this weekend’s Grand Final.

The veteran Channel 7 commentator made an appearance on the Rowey and Timmy G show on FIVEaa when he delivered the cryptic remarks.

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“Just one thing to watch out for and do not ask me to follow up because I’m not going to give you any more information than what I give you now,” Taylor said.

“Something is going to happen at the end of the grand final, regardless of who wins or loses that is going to affect either side.

“And it is going to be pretty emotional and an incredible surprise to everyone in the footy world.

“I’ll leave it at that.”

Brian Taylor has sent the AFL into a spin with a cryptic remark. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Brian Taylor has sent the AFL into a spin with a cryptic remark. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The tease left the footy world speculating what could be coming with many pointing to Seven’s recent raid to revamp for next season.

Seven have gone on a signing spree of late as they pull together a star studded line-up for 2025.

The network have so far added Kane Cornes, Caroline Wilson and Nick Riewoldt to their list of personalities for next season.

Fans now believe Taylor’s remarks could have something to do with the recent signings and some resultant exits of established commentators from Channel 7’s current footy coverage.

One person wrote on X: “Please be a Bruce (McAvaney) return. It’s set up to happen.”

A second added: “He (BT) is retiring surely.”

A third wrote: “He’s (BT) finally leaving 7.”

A number of fans filled the comments section of the FIVEaa X post with their hopes Taylor would be putting down the microphone and walking away from the game while countless others believed he would be making a shift away from Seven to another network.

What’s going on, Brian. Picture: Channel 7/Supplied
What’s going on, Brian. Picture: Channel 7/Supplied

Channel 7 added former St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt to their line-up this week in the latest of blockbuster moves.

Riewoldt was the hottest property on the media market at the end of the 2022 season when he was involved in a three-way tug of war between Seven, Nine and Fox Footy. But he shocked everyone when he quit TV to move overseas.

Riewoldt’s wife Catherine is from Texas and the couple moved to the US with their three young children.

After moving to Houston for the past two years, the couple announced they were returning in a press release from Seven on Thursday.

Riewoldt is returning to the Australian airwaves. Picture: Sarah Matray
Riewoldt is returning to the Australian airwaves. Picture: Sarah Matray

“After living in Cath’s hometown of Houston for two years, working full-time in stadium and event technology with PMY, we are all really looking forward to coming back to Melbourne and joining the Seven family,” Riewoldt said.

“I’m excited about joining 7AFL and being part of the new vision for the network’s football coverage and programming in 2025 and beyond.

“Seven has assembled a great team and I cannot wait to get started and working alongside the team in bringing the game directly to footy fans all over Australia.”

Riewoldt’s signing came on the heels of fellow AFL great turned media personality Luke Darcy announcing he would be walking away from his commentary roles.

The former ruckman is walking away from the media to focus on pursuits outside of footy and being on camera, which include the family’s varied business interests.

It’s understood Darcy is keen to have more time to watch his son Sam play with the Bulldogs.

The recent signing spree comes as Channel 7’s rights have expanded to include digital rights, meaning the free-to-air rights holder for both AFL and cricket will now be able to stream matches via 7plus.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-world-in-frenzy-as-brian-taylor-teases-post-grand-final-announcement/news-story/32601de895af2a2a0bfd1f40981723f2