Channel 7’s big AFL commentary shake-up as replacement named

Channel 7 have unveiled a shake-up to its AFL commentary team for this season, with a stalwart of the network replaced.

Hamish McLachlan's Channel 7 replacement has been announced.

Channel 7 have unveiled a minor shake-up to its AFL commentary team following the departure of Hamish McLachlan.

McLachlan, a longtime AFL commentator and host of the Brownlow Medal, has taken an overseas sabbatical this year — creating an opening on Seven’s Thursday night commentary team.

The younger brother of former AFL CEO Gillon is a star at Seven but will spend this year with his family in France.

The Herald Sun reports lead caller Brian Taylor will partner up with Alister Nicholson, who will replace McLachlan as co-commentator of Thursday night AFL games on Channel 7.

Nicholson joined Seven full-time from ABC Radio in 2022 after impressing in stints on the network’s cricket and Olympics coverage.

Jason Bennett was another candidate for the Thursday night role but Seven went with Nicholson as part of a new-look line-up for the first game of every round.

Nicholson will get plenty of games behind the microphone, with 14 Thursday night games scheduled for this year’s AFL fixture.

McLachlan will reportedly still return for events including the Magic Millions racing carnival in January and the AFL Finals.

Hamish McLachlan has taken a sabbatical. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

Alister Nicholson is stepping into the chair. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

AFLW champion Erin Phillips and Geelong legend Joel Selwood will also feature on Channel 7’s Thursday night coverage, along with Dale Thomas and Abbey Holmes on the boundary.

The Herald Sun reports the new-look Thursday night commentary team won’t become permanent until Gather Round because of the AFL’s fixture.

Taylor will continue alongside James Brayshaw as Seven’s lead commentary duo for the blockbuster Friday night timeslot.

Bennett will feature on Saturday nights along with Luke Darcy and Jobe Watson.

Daisy Pearce won’t be seen on Seven until later in the year as she juggles her commitment as West Coast’s new AFLW coach.

Brian Taylor and James Brayshaw will still call Friday night games on Channel 7. Picture: SCA/SUPPLIED

It’s not the only move the network has made in recent times with Tom Browne replaced as chief football reporter by Mitch Cleary.

South Australia’s Theo Doropoulos has also been brought in as Cleary’s deputy.

Doropoulos is a former state cricketer for Western Australia and South Australia, but has spent the last decade working for Seven in Adelaide.

Browne resigned in July, but finished up at the end of the season.

The high-profile reporter left the role for one outside the footy industry, moving to Sydney to join MA Financial Group, a private sector firm owned by Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham.

Browne had been with Seven since 2011 and was in 2021 promoted to the position of chief football reporter following Mark Stevens’ departure.