AFL world responds after news about Daisy Pearce and Bruce McAvaney comes to light
AFL fans are expressing their excitement after Channel 7 revealed on Thursday that Bruce McAvaney and Daisy Pearce will be back on TV screens in coming weeks during national broadcasts. McAvaney will host the final match of Gather Round (starting April 10), while Pearce will be part of the broadcasts on Friday night in Round 5 and Sunday afternoon in Round 6.
McAvaney made his return to AFL commentary during last year's finals series after previously scaling back his role in the footy media in 2021. As for Pearce, she became a popular commentator and analyst in 2023 before she had to step away after landing the head-coaching role for the West Coast AFLW team.
Pearce has been doing some work for Seven during Sunday afternoon games in Western Australia, but that's only been for the local WA audience. On Friday night in Round 5 and Sunday in Round 6 she'll be back on the national broadcast.
'After joining Seven's local WA AFL broadcast team, I'm absolutely thrilled to be back behind the Seven mic for the national broadcast over the next two weeks," she said in a statement. "And what better way to kick things off than at Gather Round at a packed Adelaide Oval?
'There's something truly exhilarating about live broadcasting – being right there in the moment, capturing the energy of the game, and working alongside some of the brightest minds in footy. It's a unique challenge that keeps you on your toes, and there's nothing quite like the buzz of bringing the action to fans at home. Being back in the broadcast seat is always something special, and I can't wait to share the excitement of Friday Night and Sunday afternoon footy with the team once again.'
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Pearce has joined forces with Ben Cousins for the local WA calls, which feature voices more familiar to the Perth audience. 'WA footy fans will finally hear the voices they know and trust with a parochial call on the teams we love so much," Seven West Media's WA chief executive Maryna Fewster said last month. 'This is a game-changer for fans, who can enjoy Perth games, called in Perth.'
Pearce will be part of the call for Collingwood v Sydney in Round 5, as well as Sydney v Port Adelaide in Round 6. McAvaney previously spruiked his return to AFL commentary after dipping his toe in the water during the finals series last year.
'I've always had a deep passion for the game, but returning to the 7AFL team for the 2024 finals series reminded me just how much I love being part of it,' the iconic caller said. 'I can't wait to be back alongside Seven's outstanding football team in a hosting role for the 2025 season. Some of my fondest memories have been in Seven's AFL commentary box, and I can't wait to witness more unforgettable moments during the 2025 season.'
Fans took to social media in response to the news about Pearce and McAvaney. Both commentators tend to divide opinion, but the majority were happy to hear they'll be back on TV screens.
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