Bruce McAvaney’s exciting response to growing rumours about 2025 AFL coverage comeback

Legendary sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney has responded to rumours that he could be set for a return to our living rooms next AFL season.

The doyen of commentary retired from full-time calling at the end of the 2020 season but returned for a cameo in the 2024 AFL Finals series as part of the coverage of the two Preliminary Finals and decider between Sydney and Brisbane.

After that successful mini-comeback, rumours have swirled that McAvaney could be back for good and the 71-year-old says that he’ll have discussions with Seven after enjoying his time working on the footy coverage in September.

“I’m not sure,” McAvaney told SEN SA The Run Home in regards to whether he’s making a comeback or not.

“That’s the truth and I've got to have these discussions with the network.

“I enjoyed it last year. It came out of the blue - it was not something I had thought might happen.

“Seven came to me very late in the season - in the first week of the finals – and said, ‘Bruce, would you be involved with the Grand Final? We want you to do the opener, and we want you to be involved on the day.’.

“The opener was not a problem and I ummed and ahhed for a few days, went and had a chat with them, and they asked me to do the Prelims and the finals, and I loved it. I really enjoyed it.”

While McAvaney was initially worried he may not have been as sharp as he was with footy during his time as a full-time commentator, his September appearance has filled him with some confidence that he can up his commitments to be involved for a full season, something he hopes happens for 2025.

“I hadn't done it for four years, and when you're not working at something like that, you still follow it, but it’s a very different knowledge and different IQ that you need to have,” McAvaney said.

“I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to hold my end up, but I enjoyed it and loved it, so I’ve just got to have a think.

“I'm 71 and my health is going well … so I hope I’m involved, but it’s still to be worked out.

“We're going to have these discussions in the next week or two.

McAvaney has continued working for Seven in recent years leading the racing coverage and hosting athletics broadcasts.