The AFL has released the fixture for final three rounds of the AFLW home and away season. Fremantle and West Coast’s matches against Victorian teams are dependent on WA reopening its border to Victoria on March 13.
UPDATE 9/3: the AFL announced today that the round 7 clash between West Coast and Geelong would now be played on Monday, March 15, at 2.10pm local time (5.10pm AEDT).
I’m assuming when the men’s season starts, 7 will probably broadcast the 2 Saturday afternoon Women’s games and the early Sunday game
Saturday 1:10 & 3:10
Sunday 12:40
Abbey Holmes hosted the carl v geel today. I think she did an awesome job
I think the matches will be:
Geelong v GWS at GMHBA, Collingwood v St Kilda at Vic Park. Then it will lead into news before men’s AFL Hawthorn v Essendon at Marvel
The Sunday of Round 1 will have Richmond v West Coast at Punt Road leading into the men’s GWS v St Kilda.
Likewise the following week, North v Fremantle at Arden Street, Melbourne v Brisbane at Casey leading into news then St Kilda v Melbourne in the men’s. The following day Adelaide v Collingwood before Western Bulldogs v West Coast in the AFL.
With Abbey playing for Hawthorn in the VFL women’s competition this year, she may be absent from Seven’s coverage of some AFLW matches towards the end of its season.
Fan favourites return to Seven, the Home of Footy
Football’s #1 commentary team is locked in and ready to bring fans a 2021 AFL season that is shaping up as one of the most wide-open premiership races of recent times, live and free on the Home of Footy, the Seven Network.
Seven welcomes back football’s most star-studded line-up in 2021, including the game’s best group of callers – Brian Taylor, James Brayshaw, Hamish McLachlan and Luke Darcy.
Expert commentators Luke Hodge, Wayne Carey, Daisy Pearce, Matthew Richardson, Jobe Watson, Leigh Matthews, Tim Watson, Cameron Ling, Jimmy Bartel and Abbey Holmes are also back, while Abbey Gelmi, Jacqui Felgate, Jude Bolton, Xavier Ellis, Mark Soderstrom, Jason Bennett, Nigel Carmody and Campbell Brown round out football’s best team.
In a massive bonus for fans, two of the game’s biggest superstars – West Coast high-flyer Nic Naitanui and revered Geelong skipper Joel Selwood – will make guest appearances in the Seven commentary box throughout the season.
Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, said: “A love of the game drives everything we do at Seven and we can’t wait to bring all Australians a 2021 AFL season that promises to be one of the most closely fought in years.
“We have assembled the game’s strongest, most talented and most experienced commentary line-up. After an extraordinary 2020, they’re ready and raring for the new season to start.
“One of the greatest broadcasters of all time, Bruce McAvaney, is stepping back from calling games but rest assured he will still be an important part of our on-air team. Bruce remains a vital part of Seven’s AFL, horse racing, the Olympic Games and other special events,” he said.
For Australia’s favourite caller Brian Taylor, there’s no shortage of intrigue ahead of the season
opener on 18 March.“March/April is the time when almost every fan thinks their team can win the premiership. Can the
chosen players rise again? Which one of the competition’s young guns will become the next Paddy
Dangerfield? There will be plenty of compelling storylines for our team to explore,” he said.“Our line-up at Seven is full of knowledge and enthusiasm, and together we can’t wait to see
all the questions that arise throughout the season answered.”Daisy Pearce added: “I can’t wait to be back inside a stadium with roaring fans again. There’s nothing like the atmosphere at a big game. The tension and excitement when four premiership points are on the line is unmistakable – you can’t help but get caught up in it!
“Could the Tigers do it again? Of course, they could. Maybe Jeremy Cameron and Shaun Higgins are going to be the difference for the Cats, who went oh so close last year. Both would be wary of Port, though, who were only one kick away from reaching the big one last year.”
Hamish McLachlan said: “I’m looking forward to the stars of the game doing their thing each week, the ones we know so well like ‘Bont’, ‘Buddy’, Patrick Cripps and ‘Dusty’. As well as those we don’t know so well but will soon – the young guns who are about to become household names.
“What a ride we are in for again. There’s nothing quite like our game.”
In 2021, for the first time, every Sunday fans can look forward to a mega day of live and free footy, as Abbey Gelmi joins Seven’s football team to host Sunday Footy Fest, a wrap of all the day’s action, including the VFL and AFL matches of the day, and the round’s highlights and news.
Happy hour has also been extended in 2021, with everyone’s favourite footy show, The Front Bar, set to return. Mick Molloy, Sam Pang and Andy Maher will again share a laugh about the week in footy and catch up with stars of yesteryear and today.
On Friday nights, Adam Cooney and Cam Luke will settle in on the sofa once more, offering viewers their unique take on the match of the round as Armchair Experts returns to Seven and 7plus.
Seven will also unleash premiership teammates Heath Shaw and Dale Thomas in the brand new Heater and Daisy Show, where the footy mavericks will give fans an unfiltered view of the game’s biggest stories on 7plus every Monday night.
Seven’s AFL coverage in 2021 will also feature:
AFLW – the remaining home and away rounds and all three weeks of the finals live and free on Seven and 7plus
Live AFL matches Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday
2021 AFL Grand Final live and exclusive
Every AFL Final live
Blockbuster games live including Round 1 Opening Night, Good Friday, Anzac Day, Dreamtime at the ’G and Queen’s Birthday
The Brownlow Medal count live
7NEWS will bring fans all the latest footy developments throughout the season, including exclusive access to team selections each round
Fans in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia can watch every game involving teams from their home states live and free
One of footy’s most respected and entertaining callers, Brian will lead Seven’s Friday Night Football and Sunday Football coverage in 2021, along with other blockbuster matches. One of his generation’s best full-forwards, “BT” kicked 527 goals over 140 games with Richmond and Collingwood, winning the Coleman Medal in 1986 with a season tally of 100 goals.
Twitter : @BTBrianTaylor Instagram : bt_briantaylor
The long-time Hawthorn skipper established himself as one of the great modern leaders in Australian sport over a highly decorated career that included 346 games (305 at the Hawks and 41 at Brisbane), four premierships, three All-Australian selections and two Norm Smith Medals. After hanging up his boots at the end of 2019, Luke joined Seven’s AFL commentary team last season, quickly showcasing his rare understanding of the modern game as an expert commentator .
Twitter : @LHodge15 Instagram : hodgey015
Arguably the greatest player of all time, the two-time North Melbourne premiership captain will again deliver his keen insights and fearless opinions on Friday Night Football. Over a glittering 272-game career that netted 727 goals, Wayne’s accolades included seven All- Australian selections, four best and fairests and two AFLPA MVP awards.
Twitter : @waynecarey27
One of the foundation superstars of the AFLW, Daisy has made a seamless transition into commentary, impressing with her game insights in the commentary box and on the boundary line in both Seven’s AFLW and AFL coverage. Daisy is a key member of Seven’s Friday Night Football team.
Twitter: @DaisyPearce6 Instagram : daisypearce6
Hamish is one of Seven’s most versatile broadcasters, having hosted and commentated on a wide range of sports including the AFL, horse racing, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games. An accurate and entertaining play-by-play commentator, Hamish will call a raft of blockbuster games for Seven in 2021. He also hosts Friday Night Football, while his half- time interviews with the NAB AFL Auskicker of the Week have become viewer favourites.
Following a distinguished first-class cricket career that saw him average 42.53 runs across 75 matches as a top-order batsman, James has become one of the most respected hosts and commentators in Australian sport. He will again bring his upbeat style to Seven’s AFL commentary team in 2021.
Instagram: jamesbrayshaw
The former Essendon skipper enjoyed a stellar career as an inside midfielder, winning three club best and fairest awards, the AFLPA’s best captain award in 2012 and two All-Australian selections. Jobe joined Seven last season as an expert commentator and quickly became an integral part of the team, regularly covering games in football’s newest blockbuster timeslot, Thursday night.
Twitter : @JobeWatson Instagram : jobetwatson
The Richmond great has been a favourite of Seven viewers for more than a decade, featuring prominently as an expert commentator. One of Tasmania’s favourite sons, “Richo” amassed 800 goals in an acclaimed playing career, and remains the all-time leading goalkicker at the MCG with 464.
Twitter : @mattricho0 Instagram : mattricho0
The highly respected former Bulldogs star is regarded as one of the best ruck-forwards of the modern era. A winner of the Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFL Players Association’s MVP, Luke has carved out a burgeoning career as a radio and TV personality and will again call Saturday Night Footy on Seven in 2021, along with other key games.
Cameron was one of the AFL’s elite taggers over a decorated 12-season career with Geelong that included the 2007, 2009 and 2011 flags – the latter as skipper – the Cats’ 2004 best and fairest award and All-Australian selection in 2007. Since 2012, “Lingy” has been an integral member of Seven’s AFL coverage, delivering sharp insights as an expert commentator and boundary rider.
Twitter: @CameronLing
A late convert to football after a promising netball career, Abbey led the NTFL’s goalkicking table and won a premiership in each of her first four seasons, memorably becoming the first woman to kick 100 goals in a season in 2013-14. An Adelaide premiership player in the
AFLW’s inaugural 2017 season, Abbey has been a great addition to Seven’s AFLW and AFL coverage, both as an expert and field commentator, and featured prominently in last year’s Grand Final coverage.
Twitter : @abbeycholmes Instagram : abbeycholmes
Abbey has presented across Seven’s cricket, racing, motorsport and Brownlow Medal coverage with poise, grace and an infectious enthusiasm. As the granddaughter of Australian middle-distance great Herb Elliott, sport is in Abbey’s blood. In 2021, she joins Seven’s footy team to host Sunday Footy Fest .
Twitter : @abbey_gelmi Instagram : abbeygelmi
Tim is truly one of the game’s greats. Inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2000, he played in three premierships with Essendon and was one of the League’s most classy and explosive midfielders during the 1980s. An articulate and insightful observer of the game, Tim also presents sport for 7NEWS Melbourne each weeknight.
Twitter : @timwatson32 I nstagram : timwatson7
One of the Australian Football Hall of Fame’s select group of Legends, Leigh won a combined eight premierships as a player and coach, captained Hawthorn and Victoria, and won a record eight best and fairest awards with the Hawks. When Leigh speaks, in his forthright and pragmatic manner, he sets the footy agenda.
Twitter: @LeighRMatthews
The 2007 Brownlow medallist continues on Seven as a commentator, where his knowledge and keen understanding of the modern game shines through. One of the biggest stars of the Geelong golden era that netted the 2007, 2009 and 2011 flags, Bartel won the 2011 Norm Smith Medal and invariably rose to the occasion in big games.
Instagram : @jrb03
An accomplished presenter and reporter, Jacqui will deliver the latest breaking news for fans during Seven’s AFL coverage in Footy Central . Jacqui also presents 7NEWS Melbourne’s weekend sport bulletins.
Twitter: @Jacquifelgate Instagram: jacquifelgate7
The dual Swans premiership hero takes on a field commentary role again on Seven’s AFL team, primarily at games in Sydney. Known for his undying determination and fearless attack on the ball over a decorated 325-game career, Jude still shares the AFL record for the most tackles ever in a single game (19) and is a member of the Sydney Swans Hall of Fame.
Twitter : @Jude_Bolton Instagram : jude_bolton
A premiership player with Hawthorn in 2008 and a member of West Coast’s 2015 Grand Final team, Xavier will again report for Seven from the boundary at AFL matches in Perth. The No.3 pick in the 2005 NAB AFL Draft, Xavier played 120 games from 2007 to 2016. Twitter : @XaviEllis18 Instagram : xavierellis18
Mark played 121 SANFL games for North Adelaide, Glenelg and Sturt. A 7NEWS sports presenter in Adelaide, Mark returns as a field commentator in Seven’s 2021 AFL coverage. Twitter : @Mark_Soda
Over a decorated 325-game career with Collingwood and GWS Giants, Heath was one of his generation’s best small defenders, winning two All-Australian team selections, a best and fairest award with the Giants and the 2010 premiership with the Magpies. One of football’s great characters, “Heater” will have a licence to call things as he sees them when he tackles footy’s burning issues alongside former Pies teammate Dale Thomas on the Heater and Daisy Show .
Twitter : @LordHeathShaw23
At his best, Dale was the most damaging wingman in the AFL with his electrifying runs and spectacular pack marking. A key member of Collingwood’s 2010 premiership team and a 2011 All-Australian, Thomas retired at the end of the 2019 season after 258 games with the Pies and Carlton. A long-time fan favourite with a larrikin streak, “Daisy” will be the ideal sparring partner for flag teammate Heath Shaw on the Heater and Daisy Show .
Twitter : @DThomas_39 Instagram : dthomas_39
The 2008 Brownlow medallist has always been one of the game’s great characters and he’s given free rein to let his personality shine and have a laugh at the lighter side of the game on Armchair Experts .
Twitter: @Adamcooney17 Instagram: adamcooney17
Cam is a long-time sports presenter who will again take his spot on the Armchair Experts sofa alongside regular sparring partner Adam Cooney to chat about all the hot topics that come out of the match of the round.
Twitter : @camluke Instagram : camjluke
The award-winning sports broadcaster was an AFL commentator from 2002 to 2006 before embarking on an international posting with ESPN and its popular program Aussies Abroad . Jason has been calling footy on Seven since 2015, covering a mix of AFL, AFLW and VFL. Twitter : @JasonBennettTV Instagram : jasonbennetttv
After a decorated VFL career that spanned 12 seasons with Casey Scorpions and Collingwood, Nigel has been part of Seven’s commentary team since 2015, working on AFL, AFLW and VFL matches.
Twitter : @NigelCarmody Instagram : nigelcarmody
An All-Australian in 2007 and Hawthorn premiership player in 2008, Campbell was a ferocious competitor who attacked the contest fearlessly. His love of the game and engaging personality shines through in his field commentary on Seven’s VFL coverage.
Twitter : @Browndogg_30x Instagram : @browndog_30x
Nic Naitanui, Joel Selwood, Heath Shaw and Dale Thomas are great additions to Seven’s coverage.
No mentions on the fate of AFL Game Day, Talking Footy or The Kick for 2021.
So will Sunday Footy Feast be after the footy? or between the VFL and the AFL?
Based on the description from Seven’s press release, I think Sunday Footy Feast will be shown on 7mate at around 7.30pm/8pm AEDT, after the twilight match which is on Fox Footy.
This is technically wrong since they won’t be showing every Sunday 3:20 match.
Lewis Martin confirmed on radio they won’t be returning. Sadly.
Seven’s Footy Shows:
This one sounds a bit like a shitter AFL360 or Armchair Experts.
A sad end for Talking Footy in particular.
Being an official AFL broadcaster, Seven needs to have a serious review show rather than giving free kicks to Nine and Fox Footy.
I think, unfortunately, it’s all about Seven’s well documented cost cutting
Very embarrassing for Seven, being the FTA AFL broadcaster, to not have any AFL discussion program, yet Nine do.
But wasn’t AFL Game Day cheap to make compared with Seven’s reality shows?
But they rely on these 7:30pm tentpoles to book good ads and generate strong revenue and hopefully a profit, as well as generally attracting eyeballs to their network.
Vs a sports talk show only popular in 3 markets and that’s being very generous (I.e.) it didn’t even rate that much in Melbourne anyway, did it?
There was just a promo on the tv with a new Thursday Night Footy logo
