Kane Cornes to make the switch between rival TV networks

Kane Cornes is set to make the move from Channel Nine to the Seven Network.

Described as “football media’s most quoted voice”, Cornes will join Seven’s AFL coverage in 2025.

SEN veteran and Channel 7 broadcaster Tim Watson broke the news on Tuesday morning.

“Kane Cornes has signed at Channel 7,” Watson said on SEN Breakfast.

“He’ll be part of the broadcast of football. He’ll be doing one game each weekend and will be part of another couple of football programs. He’ll be doing some news type items regularly on Channel 7 news as well.

“He was sought by everyone and sundry. Obviously Channel 9 were very keen to keep him and Fox, but he has decided to (move to Seven).

“That is great news for Channel 7 because I think in the short time that he’s been in the media he has made as big an impression as anybody that has come from playing into the media.

“It’s great for him and great for Channel 7 as well.”

Cornes, who will remain as part of the SEN team, admitted it was to good an opportunity to pass up.

“It was an opportunity that I was thrilled to have a listen to. It was too good to pass up,” Cornes said.

“It’s been weighing on me a little bit with Channel 9 because they’ve been so amazing and it’s such a great place to work. I get along with everyone so well there and I think the shows we do there are excellent.

“To tell everyone as I did yesterday was a weight off the chest and I’ll move on to a place that I’m really excited to join.”

Below is a press release from the Seven Network:

The Seven Network has today announced Australian football media’s most quoted voice, Port Adelaide great, Kane Cornes will join Seven’s AFL coverage in 2025.

The 300 gamer, premiership player and four-time Port Adelaide best and fairest winner will join the 7AFL team for season 2025 and beyond, in a role that will see him provide live expert commentary on screen for the first time, as well as delivering opinion and analysis throughout the week across multiple programs.

With extensive experience in football journalism across TV, print and radio, Cornes will arrive at Seven with an unrivalled passion and knowledge of the modern game, paired with his signature outspoken style.

In a dynamic role with Seven, footy fans can also expect to see Cornes on screen frequently across the week, when he lends his voice to the biggest and most controversial AFL news and issues on 7NEWS.

Ahead of his arrival at Seven, Kane Cornes said: “I'm thrilled to join the Seven Network in 2025 and beyond.”

“I have immense confidence in the network's leadership and the exciting direction of 7AFL’s cutting-edge broadcast,” he said.

“The chance to work on the biggest games in free-to-air coverage and share my insights across 7NEWS and throughout the week is an incredible opportunity. “Seven is the true home of the AFL, and next season promises to be the most exciting one yet and I’m looking forward to being a part it.”

Seven Network Director of Sport, Chris Jones, said: “Kane is an agenda setter who backs up his opinion with an unrivalled work ethic and passion for the game. “Kane’s demonstrated history of sharing his hard-hitting opinions with footy fans, paired with his signature candid commentary will take Seven’s AFL coverage to a new level in 2025.

“In a massive year of growth for Seven, the 2025 season will also see the introduction of digital rights, meaning footy fans all over Australia will be able to stream every round of the footy live and free on 7plus for the first time,” he said.

“As we embark on an epic run home to the 2024 AFL Grand Final – broadcast live and free on Seven and 7plus – we have our eyes set firmly on the future and we cannot wait to share more of our plans with all Australians very soon.”

Seven’s Director of News and Current Affairs and Seven West Media Editor-in-Chief, Anthony De Ceglie, said: “Kane is the number one voice in footy. He’s either creating the news or presenting the smartest take possible on issues. “We cannot wait to welcome Kane into the Seven family and look forward to hearing his sharp insights regularly on 7NEWS throughout the year.”

Seven’s Head of AFL and Sport Innovation, Gary O’Keeffe said: “With an already talent-stacked group of experts and world-class match callers, Kane’s arrival will further bolster Seven’s unbeatable AFL coverage and we couldn’t be more excited.

“Alongside a group of the most trusted voices in the game, led by Brian Taylor, James Brayshaw, Abbey Holmes, Matthew Richardson Luke Hodge and Dale Thomas, Kane will bring an extra edge to Seven’s AFL broadcast that cannot be replicated. It’s going to be massive.”