The AFL inducted sports broadcasters Bruce McAvaney and Jimmy Bartel into the AFL Hall of Fame last night at a ceremony in Melbourne.
They were two of seven people awarded the honour during an event that was hosted by Sarah Jones and Gerard Whateley and broadcast on Fox Footy.
Alongside six former AFL footballers, McAvaney is just the 11th media figure to join the Hall of Fame, and the first since Dennis Cometti was inducted in 2020.
Bruce McAvaney with AFL chairman Richard Goyder
In congratulating McAvaney, his long-time employer Seven Network noted he is synonymous with major sporting events, but it was his 40 years of service in AFL broadcasting that earned him this honour and cemented him as the voice of the game for a generation of fans.
McAvaney began calling footy in 1978 and led the Seven Network’s coverage between 1989 and 2020, before focusing more on horse racing and Olympics coverage.
McAvaney said last night: “To have been involved with Australia’s own game for so long through Channel 7’s stewardship has been an absolute privilege and one of the great joys of my life.
“Football commentators are newcomers compared to the legendary greats who’ve pulled on the footy boots and coached their teams to the highest levels.”
“I’m humbled to follow in the footsteps of Ron Casey and Dennis Cometti, recognising that everything you see is lifted by the incredible support we receive behind the scenes.”
Bruce McAvaney
Managing director Seven Melbourne and head of network sport Lewis Martin said: “What can you say about this incredible broadcaster that hasn’t been said over many years and many times before?
“Special, that word he’s made his own to capture the excellence he has witnessed and called over five decades of his sporting life, seems most appropriate for an extraordinary journalist, commentator, colleague, and friend.
“It continues to be our great honour to work with Bruce, who deserves every accolade for his unmatched career. Well done, Macca.”
Bruce McAvaney’s bulging trophy cabinet
The Hall of Fame induction follows McAvaney’s AFL Life Membership achievement earlier this year and other accolades including: the Logies Hall of Fame (2022); The Kennedy Award for Outstanding Lifetime Achievement (2022); Melbourne Press Club Lifetime Achievement Award (2020); Medal of the Order of Australia for service to sports broadcasting and to the community through charitable and sporting organisations (2002); induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame (also in 2002); the International Olympic Committee Media Award in 1989; and the inaugural TV Week Logie Award for Most Outstanding Sport Broadcaster in 1999.
3AW’s Jimmy Bartel making a media mark
Another newcomer to the Hall of Fame, Jimmy Bartel, was congratulated by his employer last night – Nine Entertainment.
During his career spanning 305 games, Geelong player Bartel played in three Premiership winning teams (2007, 2009, 20111), won the Brownlow Medal in 2007, was named twice on the All-Australian team (2007, 2008) and was awarded the Norm Smith Medal as the best on ground player in the 2011 AFL Grand Final.
Jimmy Bartel speaking at the AFL Hall of Fame induction
Bartel has been a part of 3AW Football for six years and joined Nine’s Footy Classified this year.
He joins fellow 3AW team members to have been inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame: Leigh Matthews (1996) and Kevin Bartlet (2000), both of whom have been awarded ‘Legend’ status, together with fellow Hall of Fame inductees Tony Shaw (2010), Matthew Lloyd (2013), Matthew Richardson (2014) and Brad Hardie (2019).
3AW station manager Stephen Beers said: “We are delighted for Jimmy to be recognised for his great AFL career. He has been a tremendous addition to 3AW Football and Nine more widely. Hopefully he doesn’t celebrate too much as he is hosting the Breakfast program tomorrow with Mark Allen while Ross and Russ are on leave.”
3AW’s Jimmy Bartel