Hamish McLachlan 12-month European sabbatical as Seven make moves

Channel 7 is set to make some big changes for their AFL coverage next season after a series of huge moves over the off-season.

Hamish McLachlan hosted the 2020 Brownlow medal. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Channel 7’s AFL coverage is set to look quite different next season after some big moves for the off-season.

AFL host and commentator Hamish McLachlan is set to open the 2024 AFL season but will spend much of the remainder of the year living in France.

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The younger brother of former AFL CEO Gillon, Hamish is a star at Seven.

But after the network lost the 2024 to a $305m Channel 9 coup to snatch the Olympics, the Herald Sun has reported the younger McLachlan will fulfil a lifelong dream of living in Europe next year.

In February, Nine outbid Seven and will broadcast the next five Olympics — the 2024 Paris Games, LA in 2028, and Brisbane 2032, as well as winter Games in Milan 2026 and the as-yet unannounced 2030 event.

McLachlan has previously been one of the faces of the network’s Olympic coverage but without the rights, it’s the perfect time for the move.

McLachlan and his family will be based in France for the next 12 months, with his three children attending an international school. His eldest daughter will be in her final year of primary school.

Hamish McLachlan alongside Patrick Dangerfield and Jobe Watson. Photo: Michael Klein

Channel 7 boss Lewis Martin is reportedly a supporter of the move, but McLachlan will still return for events including the Magic Millions racing carnival in January and the AFL Finals.

It’s not the only move the network has made 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.