‘The footy fan’s ultimate companion’: The AFL set to deliver the goods for fans in 2025
The AFL has revealed the new shows and talent line-up that will deliver more content for football fans in 2025.
The AFL’s new hosts will be seen across two new shows coming to the AFL Live App – a sporting app dedicated to keeping AFL fans informed of the latest stats and news – and AFL.com.au.
Ex-Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes, and Fox Sports journalist Sarah Olle, are scheduled to join forces for ‘First Up with Kane Cornes’ – a show expected to deliver the first take after every round, covering all the latest headlines, wins and losses from each game. Olle and Cornes’ show will premier on March 9, and will continue to air on Sunday night after the latest match ends.
“The AFL Live App and AFL.com.au has enormous reach and cut through so I couldn’t be more excited to continue my association with the platforms and to work with Sarah Olle on this new and innovative format,” Cornes shared.
“I have always taken inspiration from sports talk-shows in the US, and this new format will be the first cab off the rank when it comes to opinions from the round, in a Vodcast style not seen before in AFL Media.”
The other show coming to the AFL Media catalogue is called The Round Ahead. A mid-week show from AFL.com.au, The Round Ahead will premier on March 5 and will see former AFL player, Chad Wingard, work alongside the AFL.com.au team with editorial producer, presenter and journalist, Nat Edwards.
The pair will work with AFL journalist Josh Gabelich to deliver informative, engaging snippets of oncoming matches to bring them up to speed ahead of the weekend.
Wingard expressed his enthusiasm for The Round Ahead and his place in it.
“When the opportunity to join AFL.com.au and this new show came up, I knew it was exactly the right fit for me,” he said.
“I love the best bits of our game, the high-flying marks and big goals, and so I look forward to working alongside Nat and Josh to bring an optimistic, analytical and fun lens as we preview all the games on The Round Ahead.”
Gabelich’s hosting duties will also extend to The Round So Far, where he will serve as a rotating panellist alongside senior report Riley Beveridge. The Round So Far will be hosted by AFL analyst, commentator and ex-Brisbane Lion AFLW player, Kate McCarthy, and sports reporter Xander McGuire.
Premiering on March 15 with an official pre-season episode to go live on February 24, the Round So Far is scheduled to air every Saturday night.
“The opportunity to host my first AFL show is incredibly exciting. The Round So Far is unrivalled in its summary of the Saturday games, and so when the chance to host it and to break news came up there was no chance that I would turn it down!” McGuire expressed.
“I can’t wait to work closely with Kate as we dissect the action each and every weekend.”
McCarthy added: “The Round So Far has quickly become a must-watch show for any fan that wants the best and most engaging review of the Saturday AFL games.
“I am thrilled to join AFL.com.au and look forward to continuing the tradition of this show by bringing big opinions and insightful analysis. I can’t wait to get stuck into it with Xander, Josh and Riley.”
In addition to the above mentioned shows, AFL fans can expect to indulge in established programs in 2025, including Access with former Essendon player Matthew Lloyd and journalist Damian Barrett (set to return on March 3); Gettable with Beveridge and Cal Twomey (which officially returns on March 15); Footy Feed with Olle and Edwards (already back as of February 17); and podcast AFL Daily (which returned on February 10).
“In 2025, AFL.com.au and the AFL Live App is taking its coverage to the next level with fresh perspectives, bold storytelling, and an all-star lineup of hosts who live and breathe footy,” said Bec Haagsma, executive general manager for customer and experience at the AFL.
“YouGov data has ranked our AFL Live App the number one sports app in Australia, and we look forward to bolstering our offering this season to give our fans even more content, with our suite of highlights, fixtures, press conferences, news, and premium studio shows delivering the most comprehensive experience for the passionate and casual fan.”
Haagsma also spoke on the new faces and content the AFL is investing in this year.
“We’re thrilled to introduce a number of new shows and talent that will dive deeper into the tactics, the personalities, and the off-field stories that every footy fan can get excited about, and that I’m personally looking forward to tuning into,” she said.
“AFL.com.au has a long-standing reputation for being a trusted source of information for football fans.
“Whether its connecting with people on their screens, in their ears or at a game, we are proud to be the footy fan’s ultimate companion.”
But the presenters revealed above aren’t the only ones taking on AFL-related hosting duties.
Yesterday, it was revealed that sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney has been chosen to deliver Seven’s AFL coverage for 2025, across Sunday nights and marquee matches.
The move was deemed “a homecoming of sorts” since McAvaney actually joined the network’s AFL commentary team in 1990 and contributed to its 2024 AFL Finals series coverage.
He has also hosted the AFL awards ceremony, the Brownlow Medal, 21 times.
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