If they were serious they’d try to poach Huddo! He’s the next best caller hands down!
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That’s cool, wasn’t you I had in mind. There’s a few regulars here who’ve been writing him off ever since the illness was made public.
Pretty much just one match a round. Be good to replace him with someone who took the job seriously and had scope for other sports (of course Brayshaw already does cricket) but their commentary ranks are getting pretty thin.
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Basil has commitments so it’s unlikely he will commentate again
Garry Lyon to return to Seven?
return to seven? He was part of Sevens AFL team in the 1990s?
With Bruce McAvaney stepping away from Channel 7 AFL commentary, they need to find other commentators to replace McAvaney for this year. During the past few years, Bruce McAvaney has started to reduce his workload after more than 30 years in the commentary. McAvaney has been involved in AFL, Rugby Union, Horse Racing, Australian Open Tennis, Olympics, Cricket, Olympic Games. Even though his health is a bit of a concern, he is still a legend. Bruce McAvaney is poised to call the Athletics in the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
I think it’s likely that we will see Hamish McLachlan step in to call Friday Night Footy with Brian Taylor. With the changes, I am leaning towards Abbey Gelmi being host of Friday Night Footy. Gelmi may have to fly down to Melbourne most of the time to host FNF.
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Huddo is more likely to return than Garry. He was part of 7’s team in the 00s before they lost the rights.
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Could we see McGuire jump ship from Nine or even Stephen Quartermain from Ten?
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He hosted kids show AFL Squadron for many years on Saturday mornings on Seven
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Aaah, good old AFL Squadron. It recently had weekly flashbacks of this “exciting” and “popular” show on The Front Bar.
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Gee Huddo could be a good candidate to be the ‘premium’ caller as Bruce/Dennis have been in recent years, if Seven could lure him back. He arguably is the best play-by-play footy caller going around. He does however have the existing commitments at SEN/Fox, but it’s got to be tempting if they made him the main caller for Friday Night Footy on TV.
Agreed that Hamish/Jason Bennett/JB are all likely in for increased workloads.
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It’s already been confirmed that James Brayshaw will call Friday nights with BT.
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Bruce did a more extensive interview with the Herald Sun, revealing he decision to give away AFL commentary came after reflecting on the 2020 season, one of the most difficult in the sport’s history. He made up the decision after discussions with his wife Anne and Seven’s network head of sport Lewis Martin.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/legendary-caller-bruce-mcavaney-retires-from-afl-commentary/news-story/ed224002aaaeb4283512cefe2dd7b161
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It has now been revealed by the Herald Sun that Seven will trial James Brayshaw, Hamish McLachlan and Luke Darcy on Friday nights in 2021 before deciding on Bruce’s permanent replacement.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dennis-cometti-says-bruce-mcavaney-will-be-impossible-to-replace/news-story/42bd7c1da6cac9fa906850b1076541f9
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Lewis Martin told Triple M this yesterday ‘rotating roster’
Jason Bennett should also be given a chance…
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The same article says that Hamish McLachlan will call Saturday night matches with Luke Darcy to start the 2021 season, swapping nights with James Brayshaw.
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Hamish and Abbey appear to be the only ones involved in Olympics broadcast so they won’t need much replacements.
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I’m not convinced that Bruce did this on his own terms. I believe this is another cost saving initiative by 7.
Obvious case in point is he is not being replaced. They are simply using existing commentators to fill the hole.
Secondly 7 has given no statement thanking him and acknowledging it.
Thirdly his tone/reaction in the interview on 7 news. Really came across as not being his call.
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