- Duo first combined on the panel show AFL 360 in 2010
- Different personalities share a mutual love for the game
- Robinson will not return to the pay-TV program in 2025
Mark Robinson and Gerard Whateley were brought together in 2010 to host AFL 360 and quickly became footy’s version of the Odd Couple.
Robinson is the long-serving head football writer for the Herald Sun in Melbourne, and the old-school reporter is known for his dry sense of humor and excellent interview skills.
A world-class sports commentator, Whateley is much more reserved in comparison, as his emotional focus makes him a respected figure in both AFL circles and cricket.
Pay TV executives took a gamble when they put the pair in front of the cameras, but it paid off.
About 14 years later, the partnership has ended and Robinson will not return to the program until 2025.
He also did not present the AFL season review on Monday.
The man affectionately known as ‘Robbo’ is tipped to remain at Fox Footy next year but will not be on the panel show, which is a must-watch for many supporters, especially in AFL-mad Victoria.
On Monday evening, Whateley paid tribute to his long-term colleague, who are polar opposites in many ways.
Mark Robinson and Gerard Whateley were brought together in 2010 to host AFL 360 – and quickly became footy’s version of the Odd Couple
Robinson is an old-fashioned sportscaster famous for his dry sense of humor and excellent interview skills
A world-class sports commentator, Whateley is much more reserved in comparison, with his emotional focus making him a respected figure in AFL circles.
‘Tonight our big thanks go to Robbo. We were brought together and had almost nothing in common, except football. It is a passion that connected us to each other, and to you too,” he said.
“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.”
Potential replacements include Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt and Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon.
Whateley is also expected to stay at Fox Sports, but Channel 7 sports boss Chris Jones may offer a contract too good to refuse.
Away from television, Whateley works at SEN Radio, where he is the station’s main sports caller – and also hosts a morning radio program from the studio in Melbourne.
The ambitious Jones has already poached Kane Cornes from Channel 9, and veteran reporter Caroline Wilson and football great Leigh Matthews are likely to follow suit.
It comes after Nick Riewoldt confirmed he will return to TV with Seven next year after living in the US with his family for the past few years.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Nick to the Seven family in 2025,” Channel 7’s Jones said.
‘Nick is one of football’s greatest modern players and an elite football analyst.
“He will be a perfect addition to our already star-studded team of 7AFL experts, callers and hosts.
‘As we expand our AFL programming, there will be more opportunities for industry talent to join football’s No. 1 commentary team, and we can’t wait to see how Nick’s expertise adds to our already excellent reporting 2025 will uplift and replenish.”