Grace Hayden, the daughter of Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden, has made her NRL debut on Fox Sports.
Back in May, the presenter, model and cricket personality, 24, was seen shadowing New Zealand sideline reporter Tiana Penitani-Gray during the Panthers’ narrow win over the Warriors.
Watch Grace Hayden’s Fox League debut via the video player above
And on Saturday afternoon she made her official Fox League debut as a sideline reporter and commentator for the Bulldogs’ impressive victory over the Wahs.
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She was praised during her introductory segment on the broadcast as “another Queenslander” and impressed in her role from the touchline.
Speaking ahead of her broadcast switch from cricket to the NRL, Hayden told Fox Sports: “Honestly, this is the dream gig for me. I’ve always loved rugby league. I think being a Queenslander, we’re big fans of our league over AFL.
“I’m loving throwing myself in the deep end and hopefully swimming.”
She went on to add: “I always think nerves are a good thing. It means you care. I’ve been putting the miles in, it’s another day doing what I love.”
Hayden, a Brisbane Broncos fan, is familiar with working on big sporting events having already covered the Australian Open, T20 Cricket World Cup and Motorsports SpeedSeries in 2026.
She recently celebrated her 24th birthday in Paris alongside partner Wilson Statham.
The young broadcaster, who is planning to split her time between Sydney and Statham’s cotton farm, said: “I’m living my Hannah Montana life.
“Farm girl and city girl all in one – and loving every minute of it.”
Grace’s dad Matthew played more than 100 Test matches for the Aussie cricket team, scoring 8,625 runs as a formidable batsman.
He also holds the record for the highest individual score by an Australian batsman in Tests, hitting 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003.
Originally published as Aussie cricket legend’s daughter makes NRL debut on Fox Sports as she joins broadcaster as presenter and commentator