By Calum Jaspan
Melbourne Demons great Garry Lyon has emerged as the frontrunner to replace News Corp’s chief football writer, Mark Robinson, who was axed from Fox Sports’ popular AFL 360 talk show.
Robinson did not show up for his final show as co-host of AFL 360 on Monday night, with co-host Gerard Whateley paying tribute to his colleague of 14 years alongside the stand-in co-host, former Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt.
Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson on AFL 360.
Robinson was informed by Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley last week that Monday’s show would be his last, becoming the latest talent change ahead of Fox and Seven’s new broadcast contract with the AFL kicking in.
However, he did not show up, fearing he might “say something or act in a way that I might regret”, he told radio station RSN on Tuesday morning.
Replacing Robinson has been on the cards for almost the entirety of the 2024 season, with Nine’s Kane Cornes identified as Fox’s top target, three sources with knowledge of the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Nick Riewoldt was considered a secondary option; he has also joined Seven’s coverage for 2025.
Now, Lyon, who works for Fox’s On the Couch program, as well as featuring in match day coverage, is considered the frontrunner to replace Robinson on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday programming.
AFL legends Garry Lyon and Jason Dunstall.Credit: AFL Photos
A spokesperson for Foxtel said no decision had been made. Lyon was approached for comment.
Cornes, who currently works for Nine, committed his future to the Seven Network in August. He subsequently pushed for Seven to lure Whateley, his SEN colleague, across as well.
However, Whateley confirmed on Monday night that he would remain with Fox. He’s expected to form a key part of their expanded match day team in 2025, with Fox due to call all nine fixtures each round themselves next season.
Whateley said he and Robinson were initially brought together “with almost nothing in common, other than footy”, which formed the foundation for their relationship.
Seven commentary stalwart Brian Taylor.
“In television terms, it’s an astonishingly long time to spend together, and I’ll always have the sense of gratitude for the almost 1500 shows that we’ve done in partnership together. Robbo, it’s been grand,” Whateley said, signing off the final show of the year on Monday.
There would be little room for Whateley in Seven’s commentary line-up, with the network’s former head of sport Lewis Martin handing James Brayshaw a new five-year contract earlier this year before his own exit, two of the sources said. Commentator Brian Taylor was also handed a new five-year deal this year.
Seven was approached for comment.
After securing both Cornes and Nick Riewoldt, the Seven network is also expected to confirm the appointment of Caroline Wilson and Craig Hutchison.
Caroline Wilson and Craig Hutchison.
Speaking on RSN on Tuesday morning, Robinson said he was informed by Crawley last week that changes were being made to the program – and that he was the change.
“Clearly, at the end, not everyone was in my corner. Well, if you’re going to get sacked from that show, clearly people aren’t in your corner,” he said.
While Robinson described his decision not to appear on the final episode as a show of maturity, one of his colleagues said they were disappointed he wasn’t there.
Despite Robinson’s removal from the show after 14 years, Fox was keen to retain him for other panel shows, including Midweek Tackle and a potential interview show, the sources said.
Robinson said he was considering a number of Fox Footy proposals that Crawley had put to him.
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