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Luke Darcy has chosen to leave the media industry entirely, to focus on his business ventures, rather than sit alongside ‘rival’ Kane Cornes at the AFL broadcaster next season.
The Herald Sun is reporting that Channel 7 has to free up some space after signing a host of new personalities including Channel 9’s Cornes and Caroline Wilson to the rival network – and Darcy is walking out the door.
The former Western Bulldogs player has been a member of Seven since 2011, working on a number of programs and in the commentary box for AFL games, while he has also been prominent on Triple M, including hosting the breakfast show with Eddie McGuire for 11 years.
Darcy and Cornes have not seen eye-to-eye in recent times, after clashing with the former Port Adelaide player on-air when calling the SEN shock jock out for his style suggesting he had no friends in the industry, and that he was “mean-spirited and nasty”.
It’s been a back-and-forth battle that has continued ever since, with Cornes’ colleagues even joining in and defending him.
Even as recently as last weekend, Cornes couldn’t resist a personal drive-by dig at Darcy on the Sunday Footy Show, suggesting the Seven host might be the most awkward person on television.
Darcy also revealed to Triple M listeners that veteran Channel 7 sports anchor Tim Watson was set to vacate his position at the end of the year – another person that has become the butt of many jokes from the Channel 9 show, including Cornes.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The 226-gamer for the Bulldogs is now a board member at the club and wants to spend more time watching his son Sam, who recently began his career with an impressive season.
The Darcy family is also involved in several business interests across Melbourne and News Limited have even floated the suggestion of venturing into a political career.
Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston has informed the club that he would like to be traded to Victoria, just weeks after stating that he was staying at the club.
The defender hasn’t nominated a club, but says he is also open to staying at the Power if a sufficient deal can’t be reached.
“I informed the club my preference was to play in Victoria next year,” Houston told Fox Footy.
“The last few weeks I’ve had a fluctuation of emotions. If the deal can’t get done, I’m happy to stay at Port, I love the club.”
Houston still is contracted for another three years at Alberton but just last month emphatically shut down any trade talk.
“I am contracted and I absolutely love the footy club, I love being in Adelaide,” Houston told Adelaide radio station 5AA, back in August.
“My focus in particular in the next five weeks is helping this team push for finals and get them in the best possible condition and do whatever I need to around the club to help them.”
Houston’s 2024 season came to a premature end after copping a five-match suspension for knocking out Adelaide’s Izak Rankine with a heavy bump in the Showdown.
Despite not nominating a club, Carlton’s vice-captain Jacob Weitering was asked about it on SEN, given Houston’s friendship with Jack Silvagni and Michael Voss previously coaching the defender.
“He’s a two-time All-Australian. If I was marking it, I’d be kicking it a lot less and handballing to someone like him,” Weitering told SEN’s Whateley.
“They’re all quality players and he’s certainly one of them. A great user by foot and a huge part of what Port Adelaide wanted to do in the back end of the season and was certainly missed in the finals.
“We’ll see what happens with him, I’ll leave that to him and his management.”
AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey is also reporting Power ruckman Ivan Soldo has also requested a trade from Port and is hoping to sign a deal with St Kilda.
Port Adelaide could be on the verge of bolstering their playing stocks with contracted Gold Coast player Jack Lukosius requesting a trade to the Power.
Nine’s Tom Morris reported that while the 24-year-old has two more years on his current deal, he has been offed a six-year contract by Port who will now need to work with the Suns to compensate the $1.9million that he is believed to be due over 2025/26 from his current back-ended agreement.
It may not be easy with Port’s first pick currently number 36.
Lukosius, who kicked 23 goals for the season, along with 16 goal assists, is close friends with Power captain Connor Rozee, and that’s what is believed to have been the tipping point after also considering the Crows.
Gold Coast footy boss Wayne Campbell told AFL.com.au that they were happy for Lukosius to explore his options elsewhere.
“We know he’s spoken to some other clubs and we’re aware of that and happy for that to happen,” Campbell said.
“If he wants to progress his career here, we’re happy for that. If he wants to have a look at another club, we’re OK with that too.
“Ultimately, he might end up here, and if that was the case, we’d be more than happy.”
Port Adelaide are still in the running for GWS free agent Isaac Cumming who last week indicated his desire to return home to South Australia, while Giants teammate Harry Perryman is also considering the Power as a possible destination.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Andrew Dillon’s wife Amanda caused a stir on the Brownlow Medal red carpet when she was asked for her tip to win the big award, seeming to discount a leading contender.
“I would like to see Marcus Bontempelli, but I’ve been told he’s maybe he’s not in the mix. But we will see,” Amanda Dillon said on Channel 7 before the event.
It turned out she was right, the Western Bulldogs star only received 19 votes for the entire season, well behind winner Patrick Cripps monster 45 votes and half of the tally that second-placed Nick Daicos received.
The Bont wasn’t even the club’s top vote-getter, beaten by Adam Treloar on 26.
Many fans believed it smelt fishy.
Chief footy writer at the Herald Sun and host of AFL360 on Fox Footy Mark Robinson told RSN radio that he believed it was just a “comment in passing” but it’s still not a good look for the AFL administration.
“I cannot possibly think that Andrew Dillon would say to his wife ‘hey, Bont ain’t going to win, but don’t say anything’, I don’t think that would happen,” Robbo said.
“But there is going to be such interest in a comment from the chief executive’s wife.
“I put it to you this way, if an umpire’s wife said that, the AFL would send out a please explain. So, does the AFL need to clarify those comments today? Probably.
“It’s not the end of the world, but as every news service has spoken about it, the AFL might just be required to explain her comment.”
Two interstate teams vying for the pinnacle of AFL has not dampened enthusiasm among fans, with more than 400,000 people expected to flood Melbourne’s streets for the biggest spectacle in the nation’s sporting calendar.
Bumper crowds are expected to attend the footy festival with more than 300,000 people to line the streets for the AFL grand final parade on Friday before a sellout 100,000-strong MCG crowd for the premiership match between the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions on Saturday.
Organisers aren’t expecting any less interest from fans despite it being the first time in 18 years that two interstate teams will contest the premiership.
“Victoria just embraces the finals whoever plays,” AFL corporate affairs manager Brian Walsh said.
“We’ve got two teams that have a rich history in Victoria, with the Lions and their links to Fitzroy, with Sydney and South Melbourne.
“We’re going to have a grand final for the ages this year.”
Crowds at the MCG. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Melbourne Cricket Club general manager Josh Eltringham said the spectacle attracts attendees far and wide, with all tickets to be snapped up for the Saturday afternoon game.
“Sydney and Brisbane are probably the most supported interstate teams that we’ve got,” Mr Eltringham said.
Any leftover tickets will be offered to MCC restricted members by mid-morning on the day of the game.
To feed those fans, organisers are expecting to sell 50,000 bottles of water, 20,000 bottles of soft drink, 20,000 buckets of chips and about 16,000 pies.
Victoria reaps massive economic benefits from the event and is set for even more so this year with an influx of interstate travellers from Sydney and Brisbane, RMIT finance associate professor Angel Zhong said.
“Visitors, along with excited locals, are estimated to inject no less than $70 million into the local economy,” Dr Zhong said.
Virgin Australia added 4800 extra seats on flights between Brisbane and Sydney to and from Melbourne while Qantas brought on 15 new flights ahead of the grand final, which also coincides with school holidays.
A significant police presence will be felt around the city, with Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Jason Goddard reassuring fans the force has sufficient resources to manage the event despite the threat of industrial action from the union.
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