Fox Footy has launched its 2018 season with a Melbourne event that has welcomed new team-members, announced new shows and previewed a new digital companion.
Joining the Fox Footy family in 2018 are recently retired friends Bob Murphy and Nick Riewoldt, former AFL champion and media commentator Garry Lyon and inaugural AFLW Best & Fairest Erin Phillips.
Five brand new shows will make the week on Fox Footy even bigger and better – ensuring there is something for every fan.
In his first TV show, Murphy will interview the biggest names in and around the modern game on his new show, Bob. He’ll take viewers into their inner sanctum to share his intimate and candid conversations with the players.
Bob Murphy
Comedians Dave Thornton and Anthony “Lehmo” Lehman join Fox Footy’s Brian Lake for a new comedy footy quiz show, The Beep Test. It’s a fast-paced half hour of footy trivia, nostalgia and entertainment, led by two team captains who will be joined by a guest footy nut to help claim victory in front of a live audience.
Thursday nights get a new preview show, The Weekend Lowdown, a lightning-fast look at the latest news, advice for punters, social media trends, SuperCoach, tipping plus some laughs along the way. Sarah Olle will be joined by a team of young experts in Foxfooty.com.au senior reporter Tom Morris and two of the game’s superstars Nick Dal Santo and Leigh Montagna.
Hosted by Dermott Brereton, Brad Johnson and Neroli Meadows, Saturday Stretch is a another new program promising the best wrap of the biggest day in footy. Provoking and entertaining discussion around the biggest talking points from up to five games every Saturday and live crosses to the evening games, media conferences, and interviews will get the viewer right up to date.
Fox Footy will have the most women working in AFL on television, with five shows hosted by Sarah Jones, Kelli Underwood, Neroli Meadows and newcomer Sarah Olle.
Jones, Underwood, and Meadows will host On The Mark, a new discussion program focusing on the personal side of the game. On The Mark will provide a different look at the AFL and those that play and manage the game with in-depth, revealing interviews.
Returning Fox Footy entertainment shows in 2018 include AFL Tonight, On The Couch, Open Mike, Bounce and AFL 360.
In 2018, AFL 360 will reunite former Hawthorn teammates and Team of the Century members Jason Dunstall and Dermott Brereton. After a career butting heads in the same forward line at the Hawks, they’ll now go head to head on Legends Night every Thursday.
Lehmo, Dave Thornton and Brian Lake
New Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany said: “Fox Footy is the home of AFL with very game, every round live, ad-break free and in HD, the biggest and best team of commentators and coverage that takes fans closer to the action.
“The new-look Fox Footy launching this year will be this and more. New faces, more shows and enhanced innovations will make what was already great, better.
“If you love footy, you need Fox Footy and it’s never been easier to subscribe. Foxtel’s new $39 a month sports package is now available, plus fans can take the action with them using the Foxtel app.”
Fox Footy general manager Michael Neill said: “This is the Fox Footy of the future – a channel that has something for everyone. We’ve recruited some of the biggest names in the off-season, added a stack of new shows and introduced a fresh look and feel. This is a game-changer.”
Launching in time for the 2018 AFL season will be the Fox Footy App, a dedicated AFL destination with improved personalisation and the best video, stories and stats – this is the App for the footy fan. Foxtel sports subscribers can also enjoy the action on the move using the Foxtel App, at no extra charge.
Foxtel’s streaming service, Foxtel Now, also gives sports fans instant access to Fox Footy, plus an incredible lineup of local and international sports live, ad-break free and in HD via a flexible month-to-month, no lock-in subscription.
Foxsports.com.au will be home to the best AFL news, videos, stats and analysis plus the most comprehensive live Match Centres and SuperCoach scores in the game. Plus Fox Sports News 500 will have nightly dedicated bulletins plus extensive AFL coverage across the day.
Top photo: Neroli Meadows, Sarah Olle and Kelli Underwood