Channel Seven icons stun fans by coming out of retirement for AFL final

Legendary broadcaster Bruce McAvaney has stunned football fans by announcing he will come out of retirement to play a key role in coverage of the final three games of the AFL season.

The 71-year-old is regarded as the voice of football and will play a key role this weekend as host for Seven during the two preliminary rounds and the championship deciding match on September 28.

He played his final AFL game for the network in February 2021, having lent his talents to more than 1,000 games.

“The 2024 season has proven to be unpredictable and exciting,” McAvaney said.

‘It’s a privilege to be part of this and I’m really looking forward to working with my colleagues to broadcast the final on Seven.’

Jeff Howard, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Seven West Media, is excited to have McAvaney back on board.

“Bruce is a living legend and the best sports commentator of our generation,” he said.

‘He’s an important part of Seven and we’re honoured to have him return to our 7AFL coverage for the biggest three games of the season.

Bruce McAvaney (pictured) will be part of Channel Seven’s coverage of the final three AFL games of the season

The veteran commentator ended his distinguished AFL commentary career in 2021 after covering more than 1,000 games

‘After two remarkable semi-finals this weekend, it’s hard to remember a more exciting final than 2024. The stage is set for a thrilling finish and with Bruce joining our commentary team, you know this is must-see TV.’

McAvaney was seen as the voice of the AFL for decades, alongside co-commentator Dennis Cometti. However, it was a difficult decision for him to step down from commentary in 2021.

“I felt like I was at a point in my career where I needed to reduce my workload,” he said at the time.

“I’m going to miss it so much. I can just picture it: when Richmond and Carlton run onto the pitch in the first round and the ball bounces, I’m going to climb a wall somewhere.

“I’ll have to move on and just be a fan like everyone else.”

McAvaney said he is incredibly excited about working the AFL finals and is looking forward to next Saturday’s match between the Cats and the Lions (pictured earlier this year).

The one-time voice of football will also take centre stage during the preliminary final between Sydney and Port (pictured playing earlier this year) before advancing to the grand final

McAvaney stressed that the decision to step back after that year’s coronavirus-interrupted AFL season had nothing to do with health concerns, as he had battled chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in 2017.

The shocking decision was the result of discussions with his wife Anne and the network.

“I felt confident that I could continue with my commitment, but I just felt like this was the right time for me,” McAvaney explained.

“Something had to happen. I realized I wanted to keep working. I didn’t want to retire, that’s far from my mind. But I just didn’t think I was capable of doing as much as I was doing.”

Although he has retired from football coverage, McAvaney continues to cover racing and made the revealing appeal to work for ABC Radio during the Paris Olympics.