Full Press Release from the ABC:
Sharnelle Vella and Bob Murphy take on ABC Radio Melbourne Breakfast
Award-winning journalist Sharnelle Vella and the Western Bulldogs’ favourite son Bob Murphy are ABC Radio Melbourne’s new Breakfast duo.
The new team promises to serve up a Breakfast packed full of all the big Melbourne stories - from politics to sport - as well as smart conversations and a big side helping of fun.
Sharnelle and Bob will replace Sammy J, who announced yesterday that he is stepping away from Breakfast next month after five years in the chair.
Sharnelle Vella has been a regular guest on Melbourne radio. A popular reporter for Channel 7 in Melbourne for the past seven years, she has covered some of the state’s biggest court cases and has been state political reporter since 2020.
Bob Murphy played 312 games for the Western Bulldogs in the AFL. He was appointed captain in 2015. He has previously hosted Drive on 1116 SEN and is a regular columnist in The Age. He has also appeared regularly on ABC Radio Melbourne.
“It’s a privilege to join the ABC and to be able to have a conversation with the city that’s been my home my entire life,” Sharnelle said.
“I’m fiercely proud of Melbourne and want to use this opportunity to advocate for Victorians while discussing news and issues that are important to listeners and I look forward to having some fun along the way.”
Bob Murphy said he was excited to return to Melbourne following a stint with Fremantle Football Club.
“As a young boy, I grew up listening to ABC Breakfast. It was the soundtrack to family life, and all of the laughs and arguments around the kitchen table. Alongside Sharnelle, I can’t wait to add our style to the ongoing choir of ABC Brekky in Melbourne,” Bob said.
“I was walking through Fitzroy Gardens when the call came through that Sharnelle and I would be adding our patch to the great quilt of Brekky on ABC. A Melbourne moment I’ll never forget.”
ABC Radio Melbourne Acting Manager Shelley Hadfield said she was thrilled to welcome Sharnelle and Bob to the team.
“Sharnelle and Bob are down-to-earth, relatable and playful. Our audience has already told us they love hearing each of them whenever they’re on the station,” Shelley said.
“Sharnelle is a news junkie and she understands what makes this city tick. Bob has long been regarded as the thinking man’s footballer. He has a terrific connection with the audience and a unique take on the world.”
About Sharnelle Vella
Sharnelle Vella is an award-winning journalist. Sharnelle has covered major events both in Australia and overseas for 7News Melbourne. Sharnelle Vella’s versatile reporting style placed her as part of the Seven Network’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and Tokyo Olympics Games coverage teams. Sharnelle has also reported from London, Los Angeles, Florida, China and New Zealand covering breaking news.
She covered several of the biggest court cases in Victorian history including the trial and sentence of Cardinal George Pell, Bourke street attacker James Gargasoulas, school girl killer Sean Price and the Christmas Day terror plotters.
About Bob Murphy
Bob Murphy grew up in Gippsland, played for Footscray and calls Melbourne home.
Married to high school sweetheart, Justine, and with a brood of 3 children, (Jarvis 17, Frankie 15 & Delilah 10), Bob has subtly carved out a public life that includes writing for The Age as a columnist, penning his own memoir and appearing on various radio and television programs and for 18 years playing for his beloved Western Bulldogs.
A self-confessed romantic, Bob has a bent for nostalgia, vintage t-shirts and songs about trains.
Out of touch ABC management or what? Can someone please explain that decision?
