Matthew Lloyd in the middle as AFL trade period radio drama erupts

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd has been left at the centre of a hostile radio battle as the AFL silly season gets an early start.

Matthew Lloyd is out of AFL Trade Radio. Photo: Channel 9

AFL Trade Radio will sound different in 2023 with Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd blocked from taking up the role he’s held for the past five years.

Lloyd was left in the middle of a tug-o’-war between SEN, who produces Trade Radio for the AFL website, and his regular employer Channel 9.

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Lloyd has taken the “Early Trade” shift alongside Kane Cornes for the past five years, but the Herald Sun has reported that Nine have blocked the former AFL great from taking his position.

It could be seen as a petty move on Nine’s part as Lloyd already appears in the AFL.com.au Access All Areas program each Monday.

Lloyd will remain as an exclusive expert on 3AW’s football coverage, with Western Bulldogs champion and former six-time All-Australian Brad Johnson taking Lloyd’s position on AFL Trade Radio.

Matthew Lloyd is out at AFL Trade Radio. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Matthew Lloyd is out of AFL Trade Radio. Photo: Channel 9

The report states that there has been lingering tension between SEN and 3AW after SEN lured former Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy and his Sportsday program across last year.

“It has been a real privilege to host Sportsday for 25 years, and I couldn’t be more excited for the program to find a new home at SEN,” Healy said of the move.

“I’m looking forward to working with Kane (Cornes), someone I have huge respect for, as we cover all the big issues across the AFL and sport in general throughout the SEN airwaves.”

It ended a 28-year run at 3AW for Healy.

Nine filled in the hole in it’s schedule with the Wide World of Sports program.

SEN will also have to fill another seat on the AFL Trade Radio after Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary couldn’t commit to the show due to his workload at the network.

Cleary is set to be appointed the network’s Chief Football Reporter, succeeding Tom Browne.

Browne is set to move to MA Financial Group, a private sector firm, which is owned by Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham.

Browne will be taking up a video content producer role, MA Financial Group has confirmed.

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

Cleary joined the network in 2021 from AFL Media.