St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt has become the latest AFL great to join Channel Seven’s new-look media stable for the 2025 season.
After retiring in 2017, the 336-gamer and six-time Saints best and fairest winner quickly became one of the country’s most respected football analysts, co-hosting Fox Footy’s On the Couch program and providing special comments on AFL games for the network.
He shockingly departed his roles to head to Texas with his family at the end of 2022, but will be returning for next season with the AFL’s free to air broadcast partner.
“After living in Cath’s hometown of Houston for two years, working full-time in stadium and event technology with PMY, we are all really looking forward to coming back to Melbourne and joining the Seven family,” Riewoldt said in a statement.
“I’m excited about joining 7AFL and being part of the new vision for the network’s football coverage and programming in 2025 and beyond.
“Seven has assembled a great team and I cannot wait to get started and working alongside the team in bringing the game directly to footy fans all over Australia.”
Riewoldt joins controversial AFL pundit and fellow former great Kane Cornes in signing with the network, while veteran football journalist Caroline Wilson is also expected to join as part of a major shake-up of Seven’s mid-week and match-day programming.
Seven’s Director of Sport Chris Jones said he was ‘beyond excited’ to have Riewoldt aboard.
”Nick is one of the game’s greatest modern-day players and an elite football analyst. He’ll be a perfect addition to our already star-studded team of 7AFL experts, callers, and hosts,” Jones said.
”As we expand our AFL programming, more opportunities open up for industry talent to join football’s No.1 commentary team, and we can’t wait to see how Nick’s expertise will elevate and complement our already outstanding coverage in 2025.”
Nick Riewoldt has joined Channel 7’s broadcast team for the 2025 season. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Katy Perry’s shock reveal over top hit for grand final
There is uncertainty over whether pop sensation Katy Perry will play one of her greatest ever hits when she performs at the AFL grand final on Saturday.
The lead-up to Perry’s performance has been tinged with controversy, with the 39-year old clashing with the AFL over her much-criticised new album, with the league compromising with her to play one of her new song and four classic hits.
However, one of the old favourites might not be iconic song ‘Roar’, with Perry revealing on The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick that performing the mega hit would be ‘not fair’ given Brisbane are playing.
“Oh, the Lions! I have to cut my song ‘Roar’ out of the set because it’s not fair,” Perry said.
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But when host and former Carlton great Brendan Fevola dismissed the idea, Perry appeared to concede, saying “Okay, I’ll play it. I’ll play it.”
Speaking on Nine’s Today Show on Wednesday, host Karl Stefanovic also addressed the rumours, saying it would be an ‘outrage’ if Perry didn’t play arguably her most famous song.
“It’s one of Katy Perry’s best songs and highest selling,” Stefanovic said.
“But there’s a vicious rumour… Katy Perry couldn’t sing her famous track ‘Roar’ because it would unfairly support the Brisbane Lions in their quest for another grand final victory.
“It would be an outrage if she can’t play it. It would be ridiculous.”
Saturday’s performance will be the second time Perry has taken to the MCG, having played in the wake of Australia’s women’s cricket team’s home T20 World Cup win in March 2020.
Katy Perry performs on stage with the Australian team following their victory in the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup Final. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
McRae confirms Pies won’t be chasing Stringer
Collingwood coach Craig McRae is ‘happy to say’ the Magpies won’t be pursuing Jake Stringer in the upcoming AFL Trade Period, having been linked with the mercurial Essendon forward.
Despite having hit a trigger for a one-year contract extension at the Bombers, Stringer’s name has been heavily floated in trade circles, with the Dons unwilling to grant his request for a two-year extension.
While Sydney remain the frontrunners for the 30-year old’s services, the Magpies had also emerged as a suitor; however, speaking on SEN, McRae refuted the claims.
“I’ll admit, we looked at it, it came across our desk that Jake Stringer [could be on the table],” McRae said.
“Jake Stringer’s not signed, you have a look at the depth of it. But I’m happy to say here that we won’t be bringing Jake Stringer to our footy club.
“We did our research, and we did all things behind the scenes like where he fits on our list, the money, the tenure and whatever.
“But no, I’m happy to say he won’t be coming to Collingwood next year.”
