Channel 7 AFL commentator poached by rival network

There’s been another major move in the footy media landscape, with a rival network swooping in and poaching an AFL commentator.

Shaun Burgoyne is leaving Channel 7 and joining Fox Footy.

Four-time premiership player Shaun Burgoyne will join Fox Footy’s commentary team for the 2025 AFL season in a major coup for the network.

Burgoyne had been part of Channel 7’s AFL coverage since 2022, but is moving across to Fox Footy, coinciding with the start of a new landmark rights deal signed by the Foxtel Group.

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Burgoyne won four premierships across his career — one with Port Adelaide in 2004 and three with Hawthorn in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

He is just one of six players to have played 400 V/AFL games.

In a statement, Kayo Sports said: “Burgoyne is the first of several experts expected to sign with Fox Footy in new roles next season as they bolster their ranks to maximise the opportunity the 2025 rights afford them.”

Shaun Burgoyne (second left) is leaving Channel 7 and joining Fox Footy.

This includes the fact that for at least the first eight rounds nationally and at least the first 15 rounds in Victoria, the only place fans will be able to watch AFL live on a Saturday will be on Kayo Sports or Foxtel. Fox Footy is referring to this as ‘Super Saturday Live’.

Fox Sports Managing Director Steve Crawley said: “Shaun is a straight shooter with a trusted opinion and has earned the respect of all football fans. He is football royalty and he wants to work at Fox Footy.”

During the 2025 AFL season, Fox Footy commentary and production will be available on all games for the first time along with no ad-breaks during play.

With Fox Footy able to commentate all nine games each round, it’s expected the likes of Gerard Whateley and Matt Hill will call games on the network.

Shaun Burgoyne (left) is one of only six players to play 400 games. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Burgoyne’s recruitment is the latest footy media switch in an off-season that has seen plenty of movement.

Luke Darcy has announced he is stepping away from his media roles with Channel 7 and Triple M.

Channel 7 have gone on a recruiting spree, poaching Nick Riewoldt from Fox Footy and luring Kane Cornes and Caroline Wilson from rival network Channel 9 in a bid to boost host broadcaster Seven’s footy analysis.

Whateley’s long-term AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson departed the program at season’s end. Fox Footy is yet to announce Robinson’s replacement.