Eddie McGuire to commentate matches on 3AW in 2023

Eddie McGuire walked away from AFL commentary in 2022 but the former Collingwood president will be back behind the mic.

Eddie McGuire is back. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Eddie McGuire will be back behind the AFL commentary microphone as it was revealed he would call select games for 3AW in 2023.

The 58-year-old stepped back from his footy commitments just before the start of last season.

But a year on, he’s ready to get back behind the mic.

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The Herald Sun reported the media mogul would return to the footy media to call a select number of games for 3AW in 2023.

Although it won’t be a full-time gig, McGuire revealed he would commentator on a handful of matches.

“I am normally on AW being attacked by the Rumour File or something,” McGuire joked.

“Obviously I founded Triple M football, so that was a big time in my life, and in recent times I have done a bit of calling on the television, but I always enjoyed calling on the radio.

“I am not going to do a whole lot (of calling) this year, because I have a lot of things going on, but it is nice just to keep your hand in and there are a couple of weeks that have been pencilled in.

“It will be really good to work with some different people. Tim Lane (also part of 3AW footy) came over and said ‘are we calling together?’ which is good because we didn’t at Channel 9 as it turned out.”

Eddie McGuire will return to AFL commentary. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

McGuire will also continue on Footy Classified and launch a podcast with Jimmy Bartel.

“I have deliberately kept quiet for two years and now I am back in the media full time,” he said.

“I have not been unencumbered (as a news breaker) since the 1998 season in many ways, so I will be back out and we will be breaking some stories.

“I think I have an understanding of what works and how the workings of the AFL and clubs are, and I will be unbiased and not extremist by any stretch.

“There is a lot more to discuss and a lot more things to elucidate for the footballing public and to treat the footballing public for what they are, which is very intelligent and understanding.

“I will start off the way I started as a young boy on Channel 10, come up with good stories, break a few yarns and get the conversation going.”

It comes a year after McGuire revealed he was moving on from Fox Footy.

McGuire had walked away from his 11-year Triple M breakfast show at the end of 2020 and his 23-year tenure as president of the Collingwood Magpies in early 2021.

The Magpies exit was particularly messy after he resigned earlier than expected after resigning amid the release of the “Do Better” report into racism at the club.

He copped a wave of criticism when he failed to say the word “sorry” once during an hour-long press conference as he touted the club’s efforts in fighting for racial equality.

Originally published as Eddie McGuire to commentate matches on 3AW in 2023