Nick Riewoldt's return to Australia locked in as AFL great replaces Luke Darcy on Channel 7
The St Kilda legend has been living in America with his family for the last two years.
Channel 7 have revealed Nick Riewoldt will be returning to Australia in 2025 and joining the network's coverage of the AFL. The St Kilda legend has been living in America for the past two years with his wife and kids, after previously working for Fox Footy since his retirement in 2017.
“After living in (wife) Cath’s hometown of Houston for two years, working full-time in stadium and event technology with PMY, we are all really looking forward to coming back to Melbourne and joining the Seven family," Riewoldt said in a statement. “I’m excited about joining 7AFL and being part of the new vision for the network’s football coverage and programming in 2025 and beyond. Seven has assembled a great team and I cannot wait to get started and working alongside the team in bringing the game directly to footy fans all over Australia.”
Channel 7's director of Sport Chris Jones said: “We are beyond excited to welcome Nick to the Seven family in 2025. Nick is one of the game’s greatest modern-day players and an elite football analyst.
"He’ll be a perfect addition to our already star-studded team of 7AFL experts, callers, and hosts. As we expand our AFL programming, more opportunities open up for industry talent to join football’s No.1 commentary team, and we can’t wait to see how Nick’s expertise will elevate and complement our already outstanding coverage in 2025.”
Nick Riewoldt set to accept Hall of Fame honour in 2025
It means Riewoldt will finally be able to accept his Hall of Fame honour and be inducted. The 41-year-old was eligible to be inducted in 2023, but has missed the ceremony two years running and wasn't able to accept the prestigious honour.
He was actually in Australia earlier this year around the time of the Hall ceremony, but said he wanted to wait until his kids could be in the country to see it. Riewoldt hit back at suggestions the AFL were left "disappointed" he didn't make himself available.
"I want my kids there when I do it, and they weren't able to make it out (to Australia) this year," he said on LiSTNR's 'Footy Talk' podcast. "They had stuff that was really important to them. One was playing All-Star baseball, and one was on summer camp, which is a really big thing over here for kids – almost a rite of passage. When I do it, I would love to have my family with me. It was a non-event...the AFL were fine with it.”
Caroline Wilson had previously said: "We know he is living in Texas at the moment with his family, trying other career opportunities, and that is absolutely fine with the AFL. But they expected Nick Riewoldt to be there (this year) and announced that he was coming back to be inducted. To coin a phrase from an ex-president, they don't give them out in Wheaties packets."
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Luke Darcy confirms departure from TV and radio roles
Riewoldt will fill a void left by Luke Darcy, after the Western Bulldogs great confirmed on Thursday he's stepping down from his media roles with Seven and Triple M radio. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the best people you could ever meet on and off air over the last 17 years at Seven and Triple M,” he said.
“I’ve formed many lifelong friendships, during what has been a genuinely fun and enjoyable time. Sitting in the best seat in the house calling AFL football is a privilege that was never lost on me.
“It will be hard to replicate the fun of broadcasting the footy, however, I am looking forward to devoting more time to our expanding Aleda Leadership business and am excited about the future of the 'Empowering Leaders' podcast. I’m looking forward to being on air for both Seven and Triple M this Saturday for the grand final, before I switch to enjoying at home and in the stands next year as a footy fan.”
The departure of Darcy and arrival of Riewoldt are part of a big shake-up in the AFL media landscape. Wilson and Kane Cornes are both set to jump ship from Channel 9 to Seven in 2025.
