Seven AFL commentators 2022

Seven’s 2022 AFL season begins from Wednesday 16th March.

Returning to commentate are Brian Taylor, James Brayshaw, Hamish McLachlan, Jason Bennett and Luke Darcy.

Daisy Pearce, Luke Hodge, Wayne Carey, Matthew Richardson, Jobe Watson, Erin Phillips, Leigh Matthews, Tim Watson, Cameron Ling, Jimmy Bartel and Abbey Holmes are also back, joined by Abbey Gelmi, Jacqui Felgate, Jude Bolton, Mark Soderstrom, Nigel Carmody and Campbell Brown.

Former Hawthorn and Port Adelaide player Shaun Burgoyne will join the Seven team in his first-ever commentary role. He will join coverage of the Round One Grand Final re-match between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs at the MCG and continue for Adelaide-based matches and marquee games.

Former Brisbane Lions player Chris Johnson will also join the Seven team in 2022.

Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, said: “A love and passion for the game drives everything we do at Seven. We will bring all Australians a fantastic 2022 AFL season, one that promises to be incredibly closely fought all the way until September.

“The crowds are back, the country is buzzing, and Melbourne has been brought back to life, ready for that first bounce at the historic opening match. We can’t wait to hear the roar of the crowd at the MCG that we’ve missed so dearly over the past two years. Don’t underestimate the power the footy in this town: Round One will inject new life into Melburnians and the entire country.

“Once again, we have assembled football’s best, most talented and most experienced commentary line-up, bolstered with some exciting fresh talent. After a nail-biting 2021 season, they’re raring for the new season to start,” he said.

“Melbourne’s drought-breaking Premiership was 57 years in the making. Can they continue to improve as ‘The Hunted’ and do what only three teams have been able to do in the past two-and-a-bit decades and go back-to-back?,” Daisy Pearce said.

“Who is Hawthorn in this new Sam Mitchell dawn? His coaching journey – taking the reins from one of the greatest coaches of all time – will be fascinating to watch. Last year we saw Ben Rutten lead a freshened, exciting Essendon list to a final, and it took an eventual grand finalist to end their season. Will another year of development see them become a genuine threat?

“Seeing fans flock back to the footy all over the country will be extra special this year and will add to the magic of what will be an incredible season.”

Hamish McLachlan added: “The sport we love in this town hasn’t been as we’ve wanted it during the past few years. Nothing has.

“To think about it coming back to life – with the stadia full and the roars loud – is just so bloody exciting. I can’t wait to walk into the MCG and see the colour and hear the noise of our game. How lucky we are to be involved!”

Shaun Burgoyne, said, “I’m pretty excited for that opening night at the MCG. To grow up playing football before playing professionally my entire adult life, it’s refreshing to be able to step back into the game in a new capacity. I can’t wait.”

In 2022, for the first time, footy fans can join fan-favourite Matthew Richardson for the Friday Night Countdown pre-game show, previewing the prime-time clash ahead and the upcoming round.

VFL footy returns to Seven, with games broadcast on Channel 7 throughout the 2022 season, kicking off with Collingwood versus Box Hill on Sunday, 27 March, led by an exceptional commentary team in Jason Bennett, Nigel Carmody and Campbell Brown.

Happy hour continues in 2022, 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, Georgie Parker 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’s AFL coverage in 2022 will feature:
• AFLW – the 2022 AFLW Finals Series, including the Grand Final live and free on Seven and 7plus
• Live AFL matches Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday
• 2022 AFL Grand Final live and exclusive, plus every AFL Final live
• Blockbuster games live including Round 1 Opening Night, Anzac Day, Dreamtime at the ’G and Kick for the Kids on Good Friday
• 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 NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia can watch every game involving teams from their home states live and free