Tim Watson confirms retirement from Seven News
"It’s been a privilege and a pleasure." Melbourne sports presenter will depart network after three decades at Seven News.
- Published by David Knox
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7NEWS Melbourne sports anchor Tim Watson has confirmed industry rumours he will retire after three decades with the network.
Making the announcement during tonight’s bulletin, he said, “I have enjoyed the best job in the world at a network that has been incredibly supportive.
“Surrounded by dedicated and talented people who work hard every day to produce the best news bulletins, it’s been a privilege and a pleasure to be invited into people’s homes to deliver the sporting news.”
Director, 7NEWS Melbourne, Chris Salter, said: “He was a legend on the field, and he leaves Seven as a legend of the media. We thank Tim for his professionalism and many years of loyal service. Viewers will miss him, and the newsroom will too.”
Melbourne anchor Peter Mitchell said: “Having Tim come in to sit beside me on weeknights for so long has been one of the privileges of my job at Seven. He’s not only a Bombers legend, he really is also one of the finest people I’ve ever met.
“Aside from his on-air talent and insights, I’m going to deeply miss our behind-the-scenes banter about such a diverse range of topics, from footy to Taylor Swift, pizza ovens and toppings, to politics, music and families. I wish Tim and his extended family nothing but the best with his new direction.”
His final sports bulletin will be Friday, 20 December at 6.00pm.
A successor is yet to be confirmed.
After almost 30 years working at 7NEWS, @timwatson32 has announced his retirement. @7AFL #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/6AiLNsiPcH
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) November 11, 2024
Watson is one of the AFL’s most revered heroes and equally admired for his role in the media.
Renowned for his superb skills and explosive bursts of pace, he played 307 games for Essendon and won three premierships along the way (1984, 1985 and 1993).
Following his official retirement in 1994, he joined 7NEWS Melbourne to present the weeknight sports bulletin. He was also a key member of Seven’s AFL commentary team.
Watson returned to the AFL ranks in 1999 as coach of St Kilda for two seasons. But his appetite for television never diminished, and he returned to Seven in 2000 as co-host of The Game and in 2002 joined Bruce McAvaney and Caroline Wilson as a member of the Talking Footy team.
In 2013, he returned to the position of 7NEWS Melbourne weeknight sports presenter, a position he has held ever since.
- Tagged with AFL, Seven News
8 Responses
Seven to throw the kitchen sink at Tony Armstrong
I think the role will go to a footballer rather than a journo or media person, possibly a female footballer.
Yeh she can throw in a couple of digs at the Government and how much private schooling costs in Victoria 😵💫
Well given that Tim Watson is signing out and Abbey Gelmi on maternity leave, there needs to be a successor for Tim Watson and someone needs to fill in for Abbey. Maybe Alicia Muling might join 7News Melb in early 2025?
With Tim Going i think it’ll be Mitch Cleary that get the job or Maybe ABC Radio’s Ben Cameron
the media was previously speculating that were moving Rebecca Maddern across to the sport segment
Such a waste of Rebecca’s talents….
Just doing sport…..
She should be doing weekends solo.
The other guy turns up half the month at best anyhow
Give the gig to Jacqui Felgate