Channel 7 announces its commentary team for the AFL Grand Final

After a season where Channel 7 has faced serious challenges – and some criticism – the network has made it to the finish line.

Bruce McAvaney speaks with Geelong coach Chris Scott before the first qualifying final. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Bruce McAvaney and Brian Taylor will lead Channel 7’s coverage of a historic AFL Grand Final in Brisbane on Saturday night.

The veteran commentators will be joined by triple premiership player Luke Hodge and Abbey Holmes, Seven’s managing director Lewis Martin announced on Wednesday.

“BT and Bruce are up (in Queensland) and Luke Hodge as well,” he said on SEN Breakfast.

“And Abbey Holmes, who has just travelled all over the country and been everywhere.

“They are up in Brisbane and we have the guys in the studio down here.

“I have to say – calling remotely has been not ideal, especially for the special comments guys.

“They’ve all had to work hard on their screens, but it has been a great outcome from all broadcasters.”

McAvaney and Taylor have spent most of the season calling games hundreds of kilometres apart because of COVID-19’s impact on travel.

Bruce McAvaney. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Brian Taylor. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

But they were finally reunited in the commentary box for last weekend’s preliminary finals and McAvaney told the Herald Sun it was a pleasure to be back alongside his colleague after calling most of the season from Seven’s offices in Adelaide while Taylor was in Melbourne.

“It is not BT calling, or me calling. It is the combination. It is a beautiful thing and I feel very privileged to be a part of that,” McAvaney said

“Brian is a brilliant commentator. He is his own man and when the heat is on, he just flies with it and is quite outstanding.”