That’s true, plenty of room for cross-promotion with Nine’s TV rights though which is what I imagine makes it more appealing to keep NRL. AFL on the other hand may be a different matter given that 3AW’s coverage these days is a mere shadow of what it once was.
Having two separate call teams on a game certainly doesn’t help.
I think Nine Radio will negotiate with the AFL to have 3AW not broadcasting any Thursday night games in the next contract, except for the season opener, the Anzac Day eve match, and all finals. 6PR coverage will not change given it has to cater for both Eagles and Dockers fans locally.
Former Brisbane triple premiership player Jason Akermanis joining ABC Radio commentary team for Lions v Collingwood tonight, alongside Quentin Hull, Michael Price and Jeff White.
Carlton AFLW captain Kerryn Harrington will be expert commentator at ABC Radio’s coverage of Melbourne-GWS match on Saturday night, joining her partner Joel Peterson as well as Jess Webster and Nathan Burke.
ABC Canberra mornings host Adam Shirley (originally from Geelong) is boundary reporter for GWS v St Kilda on Friday night.
Former Richmond and Port Adelaide forward Jay Schulz is expert commentator alongside Nathan Burke for the ABC’s call of North Melbourne v Geelong in Hobart alongside play-by-play callers Brett Sprigg and Chris Rowbottom. Since arriving in Launceston with his family in 2020, Schulz now plays for Old Launcestonians in the NTFA, and works for North Launceston as director of coaching, and for AFL Tasmania as coach education manager.
Kangaroos AFLW defender and Tasmanian Nicole Bresnehan is boundary reporter.
The same team also works for ABC’s coverage of Hawthorn v Sydney in Launceston on Anzac Day.
Triple M coverage for Round 8
Triple M Sydney will broadcast Swans v Suns on digital radio (while the NRL clash between Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers is on analogue FM at 3pm). Strangely, GWS v Geelong will be heard in Melbourne and regional Victoria, but not in Sydney.
Triple M coverage for Round 9
Triple M Sydney will broadcast Swans v Bombers on Saturday instead of the top of the table NRL clash between Storm and Panthers from Brisbane.
3AW Round 9 schedule. Alister Nicholson makes an appearance on Saturday, presumably calling with the station as a casual/freelancer going forward. Kevin Bartlett is still absent.
Round 9
Friday, May 13
Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium
Tim Lane, Bruce Eva, Matthew Lloyd, Leigh Matthews, Mark Robinson and Daniel Harford from 6pm.
Saturday, May 14
Hawthorn vs Richmond at the MCG
Tim Lane, Tony Leonard, Leigh Matthews, Jimmy Bartel, Caroline Wilson and Jacqui Reed from midday.
St Kilda vs Geelong at Marvel Stadium
Tony Shaw, Daniel Harford, Matt Granland and Al Nicholson from 4.25pm.
Sydney vs Essendon at the SCG
Brad Hardie, Shane McInnes and Bruce Eva at 7.15pm.
Sunday, May 15
GWS Giants vs Carlton at Giants Stadium
Matt Granland, Tony Leonard, Matthew Richardson and Tony Shaw from 2pm.
Think MMM have the rights to the Sunday Night game (Cowboys vs Tigers) instead (Saturday Night is usually a 2GB exclusive game) BUT will do next Saturday Night’s NRL game with 2GB covering the election.
With Brett Sprigg in Brisbane to call NRL Magic Round matches for ABC Radio this weekend, the ABC flew in Ben Cameron from Perth to Sydney to commentate last night’s game between Sydney and Essendon, and this afternoon’s clash between GWS and Carlton, both with Daniel Garb.
Also, Lauren Arnell moved from Brisbane to Adelaide this week to take up her new job as Port Adelaide AFLW coach. She will be heard infrequently on ABC’s coverage of Crows and Power home matches for the rest of this season.
ABC Radio will have live commentary of North Melbourne v Melbourne on analogue radio up to half time, before the national broadcast of election count (hosted by Rafael Epstein) begins at 6pm AEST. The second half of Roos v Demons, as well as the two night matches (Richmond v Essendon and Adelaide v St Kilda) will be broadcast on DAB radio as well as AFL website and app.
The ABC’s Melbourne sports team was so stretched (four games are played across Victoria today) that it had to rely on the Perth team to commentate Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast off the tube. The callers were Clint Wheeldon, Ben Cameron, Kara Antonio, and two-time Brisbane Lions premiership player Beau McDonald (current head of coaching at the West Australian Football Commission).