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Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eddie McGuire's son Xander in huge scoop about AFL club amid nasty allegations
Xander McGuire continues to prove himself as a rising star of the AFL media landscape after breaking a big story about the Geelong Cats and the future of Sam De Koning on Wednesday night. And in doing so the 22-year-old is destroying a nasty narrative around his famous father Eddie. Xander is working on Channel 7 in 2025 and has featured across the network's footy coverage - from game broadcasts to talk shows and news bulletins. He's also landed a role as host of 'The Round So Far' program on the AFL website, but the gigs have sparked ugly claims of nepotism. Many think Xander has only risen so high because of his surname, but in reality he appears to be a gun journo in his own right. He won the Clinton Grybas Rising Star Award at the Australian Football Media Association awards last year, and has been quietly working his way up the ranks. Earlier this month he was the first to report that James Worpel suffered a syndesmosis injury in Hawthorn's win over Sydney in Opening Round, and has impressed footy fans with his confidence on screen and insight into the game. And that continued on Wednesday night when he reported the big news that De Koning is set to remain in Geelong. Sam De Koning's loyalties lie at the Cattery with the specifics on a new deal to be ironed out shortly. He's forgone a compelling approach from the Saints to remain in Geelong… 👇 @7AFL — Xander McGuire (@XanderMcGuire7) March 19, 2025 St Kilda have been trying to score a massive double coup by luring both De Koning brothers (Sam from Geelong and Tom from Carlton) to the club, with a supposed 'war chest' at their disposal. But McGuire reported on 7News that Sam is staying put at the Cats. 'Sam De Koning is now committed to staying at Geelong,' McGuire revealed. 'The Cats' 2023 premiership defender-turned-ruckman fielded rival offers, but has now made a contract extension at Kardinia Park his priority. St Kilda approached both Sam and Tom De Koning, opening a discussion around whether the high-profile brothers - both out of contract at the end of the year - would consider a bombshell multi-million dollar reunion at Moorabbin." While McGuire said Sam won't be heading to Geelong, the situation with Tom might be a "different story". Tom is said to be weighing up an offer from the Cats for seven years at $1 million per season. RELATED: Sam Mitchell goes public with new details after awful family ordeal Sam Lalor smacks down claims about Dustin Martin after brutal snub McGuire's scoop on Sam De Koning's future shows he's a legitimate gun in the AFL media landscape. Rhett Bartlett - the 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." 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 Speaking to Yahoo Sport Australia recently, leading sports psychologist Alan Mantle summed up the situation that people like McGuire and Lleyton Hewitt's son Cruz have to deal with. "Nepotism is a very hurtful word," he said. "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."
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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 @ the different options based on how serious it ends up being ⬇️ — 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!" RELATED: AFL world responds amid news about Ben Cousins and Daisy Pearce Swans receive Chad Warner boost amid ugly claims about Harley Reid 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."
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eddie McGuire's son caught up in ugly storm after dramas surrounding Cruz Hewitt
A leading sports psychologist has told Yahoo Sport Australia of the extra hurdles that people like Xander McGuire and Cruz Hewitt have to overcome to make a name for themselves in the shadow of their famous parents. McGuire was targeted by some awful comments on Saturday when he was announced as a new host of 'The Round So Far' program on the AFL website for 2025. The son of former Collingwood president and legendary sports broadcaster Eddie McGuire, Xander will join Kate McCarthy, Riley Beveridge and Josh Gabelich on the popular weekly show for the new AFL season. The 21-year-old McGuire is considered a rising star in the sports media landscape, and won the Clinton Grybas Rising Star Award at the Australian Football Media Association awards last September. He's also landed a job on Channel 7 for 2025 and will reportedly appear on prime-time broadcasts as well as on the network's multiple talk shows. But ugly claims of 'nepotism' have dogged Xander's rise through the footy media landscape, and it was the same on Saturday. The news of his new role on 'The Round So Far' was met with some nasty comments on social media, leading Rhett Bartlett (son of AFL legend Kevin) to respond: "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." 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. — Drew Morphettville (@Goldenjocks) February 15, 2025 Agree! 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! — Matt Gartside (@MattGart76) February 15, 2025 The situation surrounding Xander is similar to what Cruz Hewitt has had to endure in recent months. There were claims of nepotism when the 16-year-old was granted a wildcard into the Australian Open qualifying tournament, and more when he lost in the first round. Many suggested Cruz had been given preferential treatment because of famous father Lleyton, but Todd Woodbridge later denied those claims categorically. "Cruz is in these positions because he is a very good, talented young player and one of our best here in Australia," Woodbridge said. 'He deserves every opportunity he has got to be there. Some people would like to say otherwise. I know you (Lleyton) have to deal with that and you shouldn't have to, so I am putting it out there - he deserves to be there.' Respected sports psychologist Alan Mantle has worked with a number of Australia's finest sportsmen and women and is acutely aware of the challenges facing the children of former superstars. He recently told Yahoo Sport Australia: "Nepotism is a very hurtful word. I believe anyone who plays at that top level has got there on their own merits. "I'd be very surprised if favours were being done for sons or daughters of famous parents. What I would say to Cruz (and Xander) is that when he hears that word (nepotism) he needs 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. The white noise is always going to be there for him and that's something he won't be able to control. But he can control how he is going to process it and filter it. He has already shown a great deal of resilience to get where he is and that will hold him in good stead into the future." Mantle's message is simple. "Don't let other people's expectations define you. They're external factors you have no control over," he said. "The name and people's comparisons to your famous mother or father is not going to go away – it's how you choose to handle it. Use your father or mother's ability and talent to help model you as an individual but don't copy. It's about finding what works best for you as an individual and doing something you love."
