Bruce McAvaney makes return to AFL coverage via hosting role on Channel 7 for remaining finals

Legendary sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney is making a footy comeback for the biggest two weeks of the AFL season. GLENN McFARLANE has the exclusive details.

Bruce McAvaney is returning to the footy airwaves. Picture: The Australian/ Morgan Sette

Legendary sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney is making a footy comeback for the biggest two weeks of the AFL season.

McAvaney will join Channel 7’s team including James Brayshaw, Luke Darcy and Abbey Holmes in a key hosting role for the blockbuster preliminary finals on Friday and Saturday as well as the 2024 AFL grand final on Saturday week.

It’s the first time the 71-year-old has been a part of the network’s football coverage since he called his final AFL match in the historic 2020 Richmond-Geelong grand final at the Gabba.

He won’t be calling the last three games of what has been an extraordinary season, but will take on a hosting role as part of Channel 7’s enhanced and expanded coverage across the next fortnight.

Bruce McAvaney is returning to Channel 7’s footy coverage. Picture: Supplied

“The AFL Grand Final is the greatest Saturday in Australian sport,” McAvaney said. “And when I was asked a couple of weeks ago to be involved in a hosting role, there was a lot to consider. But the overwhelming sentiment was, how exciting it would be to be involved.”

“Just think about what’s happened over the weekend – two semi-finals for the ages. (That’s) extraordinary, in a season that’s produced more excitement, more entertainment and more upsets than any in recent memory.

“Look what we’re facing now. Four teams from four states and that hasn’t happened since 2005. Honestly, who knows what’s going to happen in these last three matches for 2024.

“I can’t wait to get to the SCG for Friday when it all starts.”

McAvaney will make his footy return in Friday night’s Sydney-Port Adelaide preliminary final showdown at the SCG, and will also be a part of Saturday’s Geelong-Brisbane Lions MCG clash.

McAvaney’s football commentary was loved by many. Picture: Channel 7

“It’s been nearly four years since I was last involved in broadcasting AFL,” he said. “2020 was a year like no other: still battling covid lockdowns and calling most of those matches remotely in the Channel 7 boardroom in Adelaide, with BT (Brian Taylor) and the crew in Melbourne.

“That year’s Grand Final at the Gabba was on Cox Plate day. A hectic day – a very good one for the Tigers, winning their third flag in four seasons, and for Dusty Martin, who became the first player to win the Norm Smith on three occasions.

“I didn’t realise that would be my swan song. But a few weeks later (I) came to the decision that the time was right to stop calling football.”

McAvaney remains an integral part of the network’s sporting portfolio including its horse racing coverage as well as hosting other marquee sports and events including last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.