AFL fans all say same thing after Eddie McGuire's son makes debut on Channel 7
Xander McGuire impressed AFL fans as he made his debut on Channel 7 on Friday night during Hawthorn's win over Sydney. The son of former Collingwood boss Eddie McGuire, Xander has landed a role on Channel 7 in 2025 and will work during live game broadcasts and across the network's panel shows.
The 22-year-old worked as a reporter at Channel 9 for three years before making the switch to Seven this year, and he'll also work as a co-host on 'The Round So Far' program on the AFL website in 2025. Xander was part of Channel 7's post-game coverage on Friday night, and was among the first to report Hawthorn's fears that James Worpel suffered a syndesmosis injury late in the first half.
"The fresh news that's coming from the change-rooms is that it's a suspected syndesmosis injury," he said. "This can be graded in many different ways. The ankle got caught underneath himself, which is textbook for that injury.
"If he avoids surgery he's probably looking at a 4-5 week injury. If it's on the minor end and gets reclassified as a sprain it's 1-2 weeks. Worst case is surgery and he's out for a long time."
James Worpel has a 'suspected syndesmosis injury', reports @XanderMcGuire7.All the different options based on how serious it ends up being ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rJReyglWUF
— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 7, 2025
Xander spoke well and with confidence, leaving viewers impressed. Considering he's the son of such a high-profile figure in the AFL media, his career rise has been dogged by claims of 'nepotism'. But the general feeling amongst fans is that he's earned his own way and is showing that with his skills.
One person wrote on social media: "The report was fantastic from Xander McGuire. Delivered the injury news, presented potential return timelines and didn't make it about himself. A rare perfect piece of football journalism. Something you wouldn't expect from a young journalist. He's doing fine work."
Another person wrote: "McGuire has fit in perfectly here. You can claim nepotism all you want, but he is very good at his job." While a third added: "Xander McGuire will cop some shit due to the old man, but was good tonight!!"
McGuire has fit in perfectly here. You can claim nepotism all you want, but he is very good at his job.
— Sam Briggs (@SamBriggs757) March 7, 2025
Big on Xander McGuire, great start @7AFL #AFLSwansHawks
— Max Weir (@MaxWeir10) March 7, 2025
nepo baby this nepo baby thatXander McGuire has done nothing but cook since getting the job tbh
— Sam. (@Orignial_Sam) March 7, 2025
Xander won the Clinton Grybas Rising Star Award at the Australian Football Media Association awards last September, and has been quietly making his way in the AFL media landscape. Rhett Bartlett (son of AFL legend Kevin) wrote on social media last month: "The criticism some are posting here for Xander is unwarranted. Easy to bag him cause of famous surname (trust me, I should know). Despite your nepotism arguments, one still has to be passionate, strong work ethic and good at your job and the fact he's into his 5+yr proves that."
One person agreed, responding: "I had an incredible bias against him when he started, but credit where it's due - Xander is already a better presenter than his old man. Perfect delivery every single time." Another commented: "I think he presents extremely well in his TV segments and he's clearly a hard-working and diligent young man. Good on him, I reckon!"
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Speaking to Yahoo Sport Australia, leading sports psychologist Alan Mantle said: "Nepotism is a very hurtful word. When you hear that word (nepotism) you need to think it's just what someone is saying about you, but it doesn't mean it is you. It's reputation versus character. Character is what you form about yourself and a reputation is something that other people form about you."
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