Yes, looks like they’re getting more adventurous with sending the Perth team interstate. Will it get to a point where it’s a weekly thing?
They have on occasion, and they’ve done the inverse as well, but only involving SA teams/locations.
Two reasons I can think of why there’s no Melbourne callers for this game.
Won’t be shown in Melbourne and they’ll be busy with the Sunday Arvo game (GC v MEL) today.
No I mean some expert, but then again it’s a one-eyed call right? Didn’t realise they’re doing this along with their usual game - good to see!
Depends.
First half of last year it was always one-eyed.
Nowadays, if it’s WC/FRE vs a Melbourne team, it’s WA biased. It’s it’s a match 7 can show in two states, not so much.
I think if it involves another non vic team then that local market also gets the 7WA call. So for those games they need to get 1 analyst for it & I think they kind of have done before. Also even for a game involving WA team there would be other fans watching so they need to remain not too one-eyed
Just to clarify, 7 Perth local team telecast is not a bias commentary towards the Wa teams.
I think it started out kind of like that not a 100% one eyed bias call but a main focus on the local team but it has definitely expanded into a bigger role so it’s not really a call that’s focused on the wa teams.
Drone inside the stadium: an Australian first.
The Seven Network is set to welcome the return of the AFL Women’s (AFLW) competition this weekend with a blockbuster opening clash between St Kilda and Carlton, this Sunday, 9 August, from 4.00pm AEST live and free on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport.
The AFLW season opener forms part of a Spud’s Game double-header at Marvel Stadium, with St Kilda and Carlton’s AFLW and AFL teams taking centre stage in consecutive matches, culminating with the AFL clash from 7.00pm AEST, live and free on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport.
This year marks the sixth annual Spud’s Game, which honours the legacy of former St Kilda captain Danny ‘Spud’ Frawley and continues his mission to spark conversations around mental health. The annual event has become one of the AFL’s most significant community initiatives, raising awareness and vital funds for mental health research, prevention programs and treatment through the work of the Danny Frawley Centre and its partners.
Seven’s AFLW commentary team will be there to call all the action live from Marvel Stadium, to kick off the start of a 12-round home-and-away season, before a four-week finals series, culminating in the 2026 NAB AFLW Grand Final on the final weekend of November.
In an exciting announcement for fans, Richmond AFLW player and Triple M commentator, Sarah Hosking will join Seven’s commentary team for the 2026 season. One of the most recognisable figures in women’s football, Hosking will add her expert insights and analysis to Seven’s coverage, with her first match on Sunday, 16 August when Essendon take on the Brisbane Lions at Windy Hill.
Seven’s AFLW commentary team returns for the 2026 season led by hosts and field commentators Abbey Holmes, Nat Edwards and 7NEWS Melbourne Sport Reporter Kate Massey, alongside expert analysts Kate McCarthy, Libby Birch, Melissa Hickey and Cameron Ling.
Jo Wotton, Alister Nicholson, Jack Heverin, Nigel Carmody and Theo Doropoulos will once again lead Seven’s play-by-play commentary throughout the season.
Round One of the AFLW action continues with Hawthorn taking on Melbourne from Ikon Park on Thursday, 13 August from 7.00pm AEST on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport, before five huge AFLW matches across Saturday and Sunday.
The following matches will round out Seven’s AFLW Round One coverage:
Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs, Saturday, 15 August, 7.00pm AEST on 7mate and 7plus (VIC and QLD only)
Essendon v Brisbane Lions, Sunday, 16 August, 12.30pm AEST on 7mate and 7plus (VIC and QLD only)
Adelaide Crows v Sydney Swans, Sunday, 16 August, 12.30pm on 7two and 7plus Sport (NSW), 12.00pm on 7mate and 7plus Sport (SA)
Fremantle v Port Adelaide, Sunday, 16 August, 2.00pm on 7mate and 7plus Sport (SA), 12.30pm on 7two and 7plus Sport (WA)
GWS GIANTS v West Coast Eagles, Sunday, 16 August, 4.30pm (NSW) and 2.30pm (WA) on 7two and 7plus Sport.
Following the opening clash, Seven’s Hamish McLachlan sits down with Melbourne Football Club forward, Tayla Harris in this week’s episode of Unfiltered, at 9.30pm Wednesday, 12 August, following The Front Bar.
In the wide-ranging interview, Tayla opens up on her mindset heading into her eleventh AFLW season, the moments that have defined her career and the trolling she faced in 2019, in response to an image taken of her playing the game she loves.
Following Round One, footy fans will be treated to more women’s footy content when Seven relaunches its weekly AFLW talk show, Talking W, on Monday, 17 August, starring host Kate Massey and expert panelist, Riley Beveridge, alongside a rotating third panelist selected from Kate McCarthy, Sarah Hosking and Sarah Rowe.
Every Monday night at 7.00pm, the Talking W team will discuss all the biggest women’s footy headlines, while providing expert match analysis and takeaways from the previous round, live and free on 7plus Sport.
Seven’s Head of AFL and Sport Innovation, Gary O’Keeffe said: “The 2026 NAB AFLW season is shaping up to be another exciting year for the competition, and we’re proud to bring fans the biggest moments of every round live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.
“The arrival of Sarah Hosking is exciting and will strengthen our already stellar AFLW expert lineup in 2026,” he said.“We’re committed to delivering the best AFLW coverage in the country, and having more current players as part of our commentary team means fans will enjoy unparalleled insight from those living and breathing the game every week. We’re excited to bring every big moment of another outstanding AFLW season to viewers on Seven and 7plus Sport.”
AFLW Commentator and Talking W panellist, Kate McCarthy said: “There’s so much to be excited about this season. We all know the competition continues to get stronger every year, and for 2026, the talent across all 18 clubs is incredible.
"Sunday will be huge. We all saw the momentum that the Australia v Ireland match has generated, and the players will be ready to build on that,” she said.
“St Kilda showed last year they can match it with the best after reaching finals for the first time, while Carlton has added even more quality to a list that was already capable of making a Preliminary Final. The individual match-ups will be outstanding. Lauren Bella’s arrival gives Carlton enormous strength through the ruck, while Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw is always a dangerous target inside 50 for the Saints.
“Through the middle, expect plenty of heat around the contest with stars like Georgia Patrikios and Tyanna Smith taking on Carlton’s dynamic duo of Mimi Hill and Abbey McKay. And let’s not forget the sheer entertainment factor of Sophie McKay & Poppy Scholz. There are match-winners all over the ground.
“There’s so much to look forward to and I cannot wait to get started.”
Footy fans in NSW, SA, WA and QLD can tune into matches featuring teams from their home states, live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.
Opening Match: St Kilda v Carlton
So no TV broadcast of Talking W this year as the timeslot is taken by The Agenda Setters.
Looks like 7 kept Carmody for AFLW even after losing VFL. I guess Jason Bennett being with ABC for VFL meant 7 didn’t want him for AFLW?
Well that is fair enough. Why keep him for AFLW if he isn’t being used for AFL and VFL?
Carmody was kept for AFLW only. I don’t think he called any AFL this season & he was on VFL with Bennett
I wouldn’t necessarily say there was a plan at the start of the year to retain Carmody for AFLW only. He’s possibly just a freelancer and not on permanent staff at Seven, and happened to be available/willing to be part of AFLW.
And in Bennett’s case, I suppose he’s not needed anyway now they’ve got Jack Heverin.
A Hawthorn-Fremantle grand final will probably be the worst outcome for AFL fans and Seven. Expect a drop in ratings with the absence of a Queensland team and Hawthorn in another AFL Grand Final this year
Don’t think 7 would mind that. They’re desperate for a primetime GF. Having a lower rating GF would give enough ammunition for them to push for it. Brisbane has been saving 7’s GF ratings during the past 3 years.
What are you talking about? The Finals are still three weeks away…
Back in May 15:
Yeah, alright then. Anyway, let’s all sit back and enjoy tonight’s blockbuster, shall we?
