TV presenter Abbey Holmes to return to Seven's AFL coverage after welcoming first son via C-section just seven weeks ago
The network's football commentator, 34, broke the news in a statement via the network on Thursday, saying she will step back into her role two days per week with the support of her husband, Keegan Brooksby, and family.
Holmes will make her return on the evening of Round 20 on July 25, where Essendon and the Western Bulldogs will clash at Marvel Stadium.
'I feel incredibly lucky to step back into a job I love, while also soaking up the joy of being a mum,' she said.
'It's the perfect balance, and I'm so grateful for the support from both my family and my work family to get me back doing what I love.
'Coming back to work fills me with so much excitement."
It comes after Holmes and Brooksby, a former AFL player for the Hawks, announced the arrival of their son, Braxton, five weeks ago in June, via an unexpected C-section, alongside a sweet carousel of photos of the baby.
Holmes has covered AFL and AFLW for Seven since 2018, following her own football career playing for AFLW's Adelaide Football Club, with the side having defeated Brisbane in the 2017 Grand Final by six points.
In her wide-ranging statement, she said she missed "the team, the buzz, and being part of the action" of the sport while on maternity leave.
And while acknowledging time at home soaking up life as a new mum has been special, she is looking forward to Brax seeing "his mumma in action."
The popular presenter said she watched "so much footy" after Braxton's birth, adding "it's the best feeling" and she "couldn't be more ready" to get back among the sport while also still having the time to be a mum.
At the same time, Holmes took to Instagram to further champion her return to work alongside a photo of herself holding a Channel 7 microphone while looking glamorous and flashing her smile on the field.
"See you next week xx," she wrote in the caption.
Fans of the presenter took to the comments to congratulate Holmes on her career move, the news being met with resounding applause.
"Excellent news…You truly are the best in the business…it's always evident how much the players and coaches respect you," one person said.
"Super mumma, good on you and of course we AFL fans missed you!" said another.
A third person said: "Yay, this is amazing news! Get it, mumma," while another added: "The Queen is back."
The former AFL star earlier in the year revealed she learned she was pregnant shortly after running the New York Marathon last November.
"As you can imagine, it was a bit of a shock given what I had just put my body through, but I'm in awe of what the human body can do," she said.
Holmes said she and Keegan "could not be happier to welcome our first child into the world, later this year."
"We are so excited and grateful to be in this position, as we know how difficult it can be for so many people.
"We're on cloud nine and can't wait for this next chapter."
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