Who will replace Mark Robinson on AFL 360? Frontrunner emerges to take talk show host’s position after Fox Sports axed presenter
- Mark Robinson was fired by Fox Sports
- Gerard Whateley confirmed his departure on Monday
- The broadcaster is looking for his replacement
Mark Robinson’s departure from AFL 360 is the latest change in the massive shake-up taking place in Australian sports media, with Fox Footy now looking for a new candidate to fill his role.
His departure from the iconic football show was confirmed on Monday by his long-standing co-host Gerard Whateley before the final credits began to roll and on Tuesday the 56-year-old confirmed he had been sacked by the broadcaster.
Before Saturday’s AFL Grand Final, reports had emerged that Robinson would be leaving the show after launching the program in 2010.
Over the years, the pair have entertained viewers with analysis, jokes and discussions on the competition’s top talking points.
Interestingly, Robinson did not appear during Monday’s episode, with Whateley paying a heartfelt tribute to his broadcast partner and thanking him for sharing the desk with him over the past 15 years.
News Corp’s chief football writer revealed on RSN’s Breakfast with Harf earlier today that Fox had told him his services were no longer required.
“But last week it was decided that I was no longer needed on this show,” he told the show.
“Last Tuesday I was told by Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley that there would be changes, and unfortunately I am the change.
“It was actually quite tough doing the shows last week.”
He added that he didn’t show up because he was afraid he would “say something or act in a way that I would regret.”
Mark Robinson (right) announced on Tuesday that he had been sacked by Fox Footy
But it appears Fox is now looking for a replacement for the legendary broadcaster
Before Saturday’s AFL Grand Final, reports had emerged that Robinson (right) would be leaving the show
He is the latest in a series of AFL broadcasters to leave their roles or move on to pastures new, with Kane Cornes and Caroline Wilson moving from Channel Seven to Channel Nine, while Nick Riewoldt has been snapped up by Channel Seven.
There has been much speculation about who could replace Robinson on the AFL 360 bench, with Jack Riewoldt set to replace him on Monday, but a Melbourne Demons legend has emerged as the frontrunner.
According to The eraGary Lyon is the leading candidate to replace Robinson on the bench.
The outlet adds that “replacing Robinson has been on the cards for the past year” and that Cornes was “identified as a top target,” while Nick Riewold was “considered a secondary option.”
Lyon joined Fox Footy in 2018 and hosts the On The Couch show and Friday Night Football for the broadcaster.
The Age adds that he is a ‘front runner to replace Robinson on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday programming’, but adds that the broadcaster has yet to make a decision on who will succeed Robinson.
Reports claim Gary Lyon (pictured) is the ‘frontrunner to replace Robinson’
Gerard Whateley (pictured) has confirmed his AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson will leave the show on Monday
It comes as Whateley seemingly confirmed he would continue to host the show in 2025 on Monday.
“Tonight our big thanks go to Robbo,” Whateley said at the end of the show. ‘We worked at the agency together for fifteen years.
‘We were brought together and had almost nothing in common, except football.
‘It was the passion that connected us, and also with you [the audience].
“In television terms, it’s an astonishingly long time to spend together and I will always have a sense of gratitude for the almost 1,500 shows we did together.
“Robbo, it was great.”
Before the credits rolled, he added, “I’ll see you next year for 360.”