Seven poaches AFL reporter Tom Morris

Seven Poaches AFL Reporter Tom Morris

Seven has successfully recruited Nine’s chief AFL reporter, Tom Morris, who had spent two years with Nine. The Herald Sun revealed that Morris informed Nine of his decision on Friday morning after Seven’s head of sport Chris Jones and SEN boss Craig Hutchison offered him a lucrative deal.

Morris’s passion for both football and cricket reportedly influenced his move, as Seven broadcasts both sports. This switch is part of a broader trend where Seven has been attracting AFL talent from Nine over the last 18 months, including Kane Cornes, Caroline Wilson, and Craig Hutchison.

Morris's contract officially expires on December 31. His career faced challenges after he was dismissed from Fox Footy, leading to a hiatus before he returned to the broadcasting scene. Despite his return, some viewers have expressed strong criticism toward him.

Public Reactions and Criticism

Some viewers say they intend to stop watching when Tom Morris appears on screen due to his controversial history.
Critics argue that Seven’s AFL commentary team is declining in quality each year and label Morris as the worst AFL journalist.
There is speculation about the high percentage of former Nine staff now working for Seven, describing the situation as somewhat “incestuous.”
Despite this, some believe Seven is not the worst offender in this staff movement trend.

“His career was over after rightfully being sacked from Fox Footy and he had to go missing for a year or two. Then after two years he says stuff you, I’m moving on for a better offer.”

“I would love to find out what the percentage of ex Nine staff is on the Seven payroll. It’s all very incestuous (for want of a better word).”

Context of AFL Talent Movement

The recent talent raids highlight a shift in AFL sports broadcasting, with Seven aggressively recruiting experienced reporters from Nine. This is seen as an effort to strengthen its coverage by integrating experts familiar with AFL and cricket.

However, the influx of former Nine employees has sparked debate about diversity and originality within Seven’s commentary team, triggering mixed reactions from the audience.

TV Tonight | Australia's Leading TV Blog — 2025-11-07