In 2021 on Fox Footy, Kath Loughnan hosted the Saturday night post-game show Saturday Stretch. That format’s success seems to have paved the way for what is the new format Best on Ground. Fox Footy revealed the new format at its season launch earlier this month.
Kath Loughnan told Mediaweek: “I was really proud of what the team and I built on the Saturday Stretch with Jordan Lewis, Brad Johnson and Tom Morris. This season we are stepping it up a notch with Best on Ground. Mark Howard is going to steer the ship and he has been one of my mentors. Howie is one of the most entertaining broadcasters and I like to pick his brains where possible to learn new things and improve as a broadcaster.”
Like Loughnan, Howard is at home covering both cricket and AFL for Fox Sports, and she welcomes any feedback she gets from Howard or others.
Kath Loughnan
Top photo: Fox Footy’s Best on Ground team
Not everybody in the media is receptive to feedback. “If you get to the point where you don’t want any feedback you are perhaps allowing complacency to creep in and you can’t be the best broadcaster when that starts to happen.
Kath Loughnan was thrilled when she first got the opportunity to work with Howard. “Now to be doing a footy show with him, Nathan Buckley, Jonathan Brown and Nick Riewoldt is so exciting,” she said.
The mix of sport with entertainment on Best on Ground means a fair investment from Fox Footy. “We have some writers to help make sure we are funny,” grinned Loughnan.
She said part of the attraction of working on both Fox Cricket and Fox Footy is that her schedule is always changing. “Every week is a bit different for me, although my Saturdays are again coming in and getting across all the games and working with producers and our on-air colleagues.”
During 2022 Loughnan also continues her work on Fox Footy’s AFL Tonight, this year on Mondays and Tuesdays. “I have just found out I am going to be joining The Back Page team, possibly every third week on a Tuesday night. I’ll also be doing a mix of Fox Footy studio hosting, going to games and maybe some awards nights. I love having that variety.”
Kath Loughnan with Nathan Buckley
Kath Loughnan at Australia v England
“Working on The Ashes was certainly a career highlight. It would have been good if it was more of a contest, but the Sydney Test was remarkable with England holding on for a draw. It was a privilege to broadcast and Fox Cricket did it justice with the amount they invested in the coverage.
“People often ask me what I prefer covering – cricket or footy. I love them both. With cricket you are working with international superstars. There is pressure to make the most of moments, like with the English captain Joe Root, also one of the best batsmen we will ever see.”
Loughnan said cricketers understand the demands the media have on them. “They are very accommodating and are embracing the changes to cricket broadcasting. Who would have thought we would have flying fox interviews during play while a batsman is having a drink break? They get asked to do a lot and they are always a pleasure to deal with.”
Perth and the AFL Grand Final bubble
Loughnan joined Gary Lyon in Perth last year to lead the Fox Footy coverage of the AFL Grand Final and is was compelling coverage watching the day-to-day reports as Melbourne travelled on the road to what was a memorable Grand Final victory.
“It was wonderful that there was a Grand Final being held in my hometown. Optus Stadium is just awesome, and it was amazing being able to cover what was the hottest ticket in town. It was a big event for the AFL, the WA Government and all involved.
“But…bring it on, looking forward to the Grand Final returning to the MCG this year.”
Fox Footy’s Best on Ground is launching on Saturday, April 2 after the Brisbane Lions v North Melbourne match.
See also: Fox Footy Week features
• Fox Footy: AFL’s Gillon McLachlan and Foxtel’s Patrick Delany on sports rights
• Steve Crawley: Fox Footy budgets, new talent Buckley and Betts, and Kayo ratings
• Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown has a packed 2022 schedule: ‘I like keeping busy’
• Fox Footy Mediaweek Mini podcasts from Mediaweek Studios
