Shock shake up flips AFL commentary teams on its head

The off-season is not known as the silly season for nothing and the AFL media and commentary teams are no different with some big moves.

There are three huge outs and all used to work at Triple M. Photo: Getty Images

The 2023 AFL season will have a different flavour after a series of big moves have reshaped the commentary teams on radio and TV.

The line ups for the new season are being finalised but already there have been some huge moves in the commentary boxes ahead of the new season.

Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The departures of Wayne Carey, Nick Riewoldt and Ross Lyon as well as a series of moves will change the landscape for the new season.

Carey concluded his contract with Triple M last September and confirmed he would not return to Channel 7 in October in the midst of the Crown white powder drama.

He was ultimately not charged by police in the drama and maintained in was an anti-inflammatory he took with dinner. Last week quietly dropped his legal action against Crown.

Riewoldt revealed, after a bidding war between Fox Footy, Channel 7 and Channel 9, he chose none of the options and instead moved to Houston, Texas with his family.

Lyon was announced as the new head coach of St Kilda last October.

Triple M is shaping as the big loser of the AFL media commentary silly season after losing the big name trio, but replacing them with 293-gamer and three-time premiership winner Steve Johnson.

While Johnson no doubt brings playing experience, it’s a lot of media experience for Triple M to miss out on.

Carey is out of the commentary booth. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Seven has also had some big moves, losing Carey, Jimmy Bartel and Jacqui Felgate from its team.

AFLW legend Daisy Pearce has also had to leave the Friday night role with Seven, moving onto Thursday night.

Pearce was last year promoted to the prime time Friday slot at the expense of Wayne Carey, who was bumped to Saturdays.

However, the 34-year-old’s move to become an assistant coach of Geelong’s AFL men’s team means she can no longer make the Friday timeslot work.

The broadcaster has not replaced Carey on Saturday nights but will instead have a rotating roster of former players fill the lot.

Seven have also axed the Game Day and Talking Footy shows.

Bartel has also joined Channel 9’s Footy Classified which has lost both Lyon and Caroline Wilson, who announced last year she was scaling back her appearances and will only appear in the Monday night edition of the show.

Felgate also revealed she was walking away from Seven but will be on 3AW.

SEN’s Anthony Hudson will also join Felgate, coming from SEN.

Riewoldt is a huge out. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Riewoldt is the only exit from Fox Sports and while he’ll be missed on On The Couch, Nathan Buckley is shaping as his replacement, while the Herald Sun reports a push for a comedian to take the Saints legend’s place on Best on Ground.

Fox’s team will include Garry Lyon Nathan Buckley, Jonathan Brown, Anthony Hudson, Dwayne Russell, Mark Howard, Kelli Underwood, Adam Papalia, Jason Dunstall, Gerard Healy, David King, Jordan Lewis, Nick Dal Santo, Mark Ricciuto, Matthew Pavlich, Brad Johnson and Cameron Mooney.

Check out all the current AFL commentary teams on The Herald Sun.