Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) has revealed the SEN 1116am schedule for Melbourne for 2025.
Following the decision by veteran sports broadcaster Tim Watson to call time on his television career at the end of 2024, SEN has confirmed Watson will still be heard on SEN in 2025, alongside Garry Lyon with SEN’s Breakfast with Garry & Tim (Tuesday-Thursday).
Lyon has committed to another year of breakfast radio despite taking on co-host duties with Gerard Whateley on Fox Footy’s weeknight program AFL 360.
Watson and Lyon were a part of the SEN’s first-ever program when the station launched in January 2004.
‘Best job in the world’
“I’ve always said I’ve had the best job in the world, and without exception, that includes the time Garry and I spend in the studios and on-air at SEN,” Watson said.
“I’ve been fortunate to have been a part of the team at SEN from the very beginning, and whilst the television chapter of my career is finishing up shortly, I’m really keen to still remain a part of the Melbourne media family on SEN.”
Lyon added: “Tim and I are excited about bringing to our audience the most comprehensive and controversial takes on every footy issue going around. There is no coach safe, and we will critique any player without fear or favour. We’ll leave it to the Monday and Friday team to relax, not take themselves too seriously and ramble through some of the lighter things in life. Or is it the other way around?! Either way, it will be good to be back.”
SEN breakfast hosts in 2025: Cornes, King, Lyon, Watson, Whateley and Buckley
Kingy and Kane bookend the breakfast week
SEN also revealed David King will be expanding his role on SEN breakfast, joining Kane Cornes on both Mondays and Fridays in 2025.
For the last couple of years, footy fans have been waking up to their fiery yet entertaining Fireball Friday show. Now the duo will be expanding their partnership to top-and-tail the week with their blend of light-hearted banter and in-depth footy analysis.
A 241-game player for North Melbourne turned AFL commentator and pundit, King, is known for his hard-hitting football insights and on-air chemistry with Cornes, and can’t wait to double the dose of Fireball for footy fans.
“I can’t wait for Fireball to top and tail the weekend of footy with our loyal SEN listeners. Fun, fights, and footy…bring it on!”
The Port Adelaide premiership player-turned-media personality, Kane Cornes, added: “Having Fireball to bookend the week on Monday and Friday mornings on SEN breakfast in 2025 is incredibly exciting. I’m proud of how the show has grown and evolved over the past three years and the way our audience has embraced us and joined in on our conversations. Now, being able to dive into the biggest talking points, dissect and analyse the games, and share our big opinions first thing on Mondays after the weekend’s action is a fantastic opportunity. As always, there’s sure to be plenty of fireworks.”
Cornes has kept his on-air commitment at SEN despite signing with Seven where he will be hosting analysis programs and joining the Seven commentary team.
Collingwood great Nathan Buckley will remain with the SEN network in 2025, but in a new role.
Buckley will be joining SEN 1116am’s morning show, Whateley with Gerard Whateley, for The Monday Means Test, as well as being a regular part of the program’s Wednesday show.
Whateley said he was thrilled to have Buckley on Mornings in 2025. “There is nobody more sharp-eyed and clear-minded to find the meaning from a round of footy than Nathan Buckley,” Whateley said. “With a champion’s demeanour and a coach’s brain, Buckley is honed not to the outrageous and over-the-top reactions to each game, but the long-term worth and trend of a team and its fortunes.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Bucks from the very beginning of Whateley and he’s absolutely perfect for The Monday Means Test – the most important 90 minutes of the week.”
Buckley echoed Whateley’s sentiments: “I’m really looking forward to working more with Gerard on Whateley in 2025. Gerard is one of the country’s premier broadcasters, so not only am I looking forward to having a regular front row seat to see the master at work, but I think there are some really robust and meaningful discussions we can share with our listeners.
“On The Monday Means Test we’ll cover not just all the talking points from what’s happened on the field over the weekend, but League-wide issues and trends. The AFL is more than just a sport these days, it’s part of the fabric of our culture here in Melbourne, and I’m looking forward to diving into it each and every week with Gerard.”
SEN’s chief executive officer, Craig Hutchison, said he was looking forward to the show’s expansion.
“Garry and Tim, Kane and Kingy, and Gerard and Bucks are all really valued members of our on-air team at SEN, and so we are thrilled that our listeners have the opportunity to hear such experienced broadcasters all in the one place again next year.
“We know how passionate our Melbourne audience is about AFL in particularly, and so we’re thrilled to be able to bring them such qualified pundits across our morning programming each weekday.”
Dates for returning programs
Whateley returns to the airwaves in 2025 on Tuesday 28 January, from 9am.
Fireball with Kane & Kingy (6 to 9am) starts on Friday 31 January, 2025.
Breakfast with Garry & Tim will commence on Tuesday 11 February, 2025.
Nathan Buckley will first be heard on Whateley in 2025 on Wednesday 5 March, with The Monday Means Test to commence post the AFL’s Opening Round on Tuesday 11 March (following the Labour Day Public Holiday).
See also: Inside Seven’s Kane Cornes deal – How much are they paying? New Seven shows planned