Big moves shake up AFL TV landscape with next Bruce McAvaney identified

There are rumblings of big moves happening behind the scenes with icons of the AFL at the centre of the big developments.

There are rumblings of big moves happening behind the scenes in the TV world ahead of the 2024 AFL season.

As first reported by News Corp, Leigh Matthews is moving to be part of Channel 9’s new football team after a long partnership with Channel 7.

Matthews, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, will front Nine’s new Sunday night football show which will feature Geelong great Jimmy Bartel and reporter Tom Morris.

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It is one of several developments in the TV landscape, headlined by Channel 9’s bold move to poach Gerard Whateley for the Paris Olympics.

Whateley, the host of Fox Footy’s AFL 360 and his self-titled radio show on SEN, has reportedly been identified as Nine’s preferred option to call the athletics at the Paris Games, beginning July 26.

Channel 7’s footy team from 2012.

According to The Herald Sun, Whateley has approached his employers Fox Sports and SEN about getting a three-week release in order to make a brief cameo with Nine.

Nine is on a recruitment drive as it seeks to secure an A-list commentary team for the Olympics after the network ended Seven’s long-run as host of the Games by securing the rights last year.

Nine will host the next three Summer Olympics — and two Winter Olympics — as part of a $305 million deal that includes the Brisbane 2032 Games.

Leigh Matthews, Bruce McAvaney and Gerard Whateley.

Whateley has emerged as the ideal talent to take over as the next big athletics caller following Bruce McAvaney.

The much-loved caller was reportedly approached by Nine about making a shock switch, but Channel 7 was unwilling to let its most iconic commentator leave to its biggest rival.

Whateley has emerged as one of the premier sport commentators in Australia in recent years and is a multiple winner of the Australian Football Media Association’s Alf Brown Trophy as the most outstanding media performer.

Nine’s move for Matthews has been much more straight-forward.

The 71-year-old has featured in select matches for Seven in recent years and has worked with the network since the 1990s.

Matthews will in 2024 also continue in his role with the 3AW radio commentary team.