Triple M claims its 2026 AFL lineup boasts more than 5,000 combined AFL and AFLW games of experience.
Triple M has confirmed its AFL commentary team for 2026, bringing together a mix of former premiership players, Brownlow medallists and experienced broadcasters across its national coverage.
The broadcaster says its coverage will once again centre on what it describes as the distinctive sound of its commentary box, as it prepares to call every tackle and goal throughout the season.
– Advertisement –
Among those returning or joining the lineup in 2026 are Brian Taylor, James Brayshaw, Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas, Kate McCarthy, Isaac Smith, Jack Heverin, Abbey Holmes, Leigh Montagna, Jason ‘The Chief’ Dunstall, Erin Phillips, Mark ‘Howie’ Howard, Ruby Schleicher, Nathan Brown, ‘Stevie J’ Johnson, Shaun Burgoyne, Billy Brownless, Mark Ricciuto, Jess Webster, Simon Black, Sarah Hosking, Jay Clark and Xavier Ellis.
They will be joined by Channel 7 chief football reporter and AFL Media Award winner Mitch Cleary, who has been added to the roster.
According to Triple M, the combined experience of its 2026 commentary team includes more than 5,000 AFL and AFLW games, over 30 premierships and four Norm Smith Medals, along with multiple Coleman and Brownlow Medals. The network states it has been Australia’s leading AFL audio broadcaster since 2004.
In addition to live match coverage, Triple M and LiSTNR will offer a range of football programming and digital content in 2026. Listeners can access long-form interviews through The Howie Games on LiSTNR, stream shows via the dedicated Triple M Footy AFL feed and access new club-focused podcasts branded as Clubcasts.
In Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, The Rush Hour with JB & Billy will continue to air on weekday afternoons featuring interviews and football news.
The network’s regular AFL programs are also set to return:
Midweek Rub (Wednesday, 6pm): Leigh Montagna, Dale Thomas and Damian Barrett
Thursday Rub (Thursday, 6pm): Jack Heverin, Isaac Smith, Kate McCarthy and Jay Clark
Friday Huddle (Friday, 4pm): Mark ‘Howie’ Howard, Jason Dunstall, Nathan Brown and Damian Barrett
Saturday Rub (Saturday, 11.30am): James Brayshaw, Billy Brownless, Damian Barrett and Bernie Vince
Sunday Rub (Sunday, 1pm): Leigh Montagna, Nathan Brown, Mitch Cleary, Dale Thomas and Steve Johnson
“Triple M’s AFL coverage is built on elite football knowledge and big personalities.
Our 2026 lineup brings together premiership players, Brownlow medallists and some of the most experienced broadcasters in the country – it’s passionate, fearless, and uniquely Triple M.
We take the game seriously, but not ourselves, and it’s why we’ve remained the leading AFL audio broadcaster for more than two decades.”
– Advertisement –
Ewan Giles, SCA Head of Sports Content, said.
Coverage of every AFL match will air live and free across Triple M in 2026, with additional footy programming and live streaming available via LiSTNR.
Triple M’s 2026 AFL coverage will air live and free across Triple M and stream via LiSTNR throughout the 2026 season.
– Advertisement –