Channel 7 Adelaide sports reporter Theo Doropoulos to replace chief football reporter Tom Browne in Melbourne

A former South Australian cricketer-turned-TV reporter will replace Channel 7’s high-profile AFL footy chief Tom Browne in Melbourne.

Channel 7 Adelaide sports reporter Theo Doropoulos has secured a plum role as the replacement for the station’s AFL footy chief Tom Browne in Melbourne.

The high-profile Browne – one of the most successful and controversial figures in the AFL media landscape – quit suddenly in July to take up a position with Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham’s MA Financial Group.

Now Doropoulos, 38, will make the move to Melbourne and try to fill the big shoes left by Browne, who’s the son of Collingwood president Jeff Browne.

“To be given the nod is extremely humbling,” said Doropoulos, a former cricketer.

“The role is enormous and one I’m very privileged to be considered for and it’ll be a huge honour to go over there and take it on.

“Tom was brilliant at his craft and he elevated that role into a high-profile position.

“Being in the Melbourne football landscape, you’re working with the best people that exist in that field so I’m well aware I’m starting behind the eight-ball knowing these guys have established themselves in the city over several years... but that’s all part of the challenge.”

Tom Browne with outgoing AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Theo Doropoulos in action on the cricket field. Picture: Stephen Laffer

Mitch Cleary has been promoted to chief football reporter, and Doropoulos will become his right-hand man as a senior AFL reporter for Seven.

Doropoulos, who represented Australia at U/19 level before going on to play for WA and SA, has worked at 7News Adelaide since June 2013.

He will make the move in early January with fiancee Tiarne and their three-month-old son Jude.

Browne finished up at Seven at the end of the season, relocating to Sydney with his young family. He had been with Seven since 2011 and was in 2021 promoted to the position of chief football reporter following Mark Stevens’ departure.

Channel 7's Adelaide sports reporter Theo Doropoulos is on the move to Melbourne. Picture: Supplied by Seven

Doropoulos as an Adelaide Strikers player.

Originally published as Channel 7 Adelaide sports reporter Theo Doropoulos to replace chief football reporter Tom Browne in Melbourne