Seven Poaches AFL Reporter Tom Morris
Tom Morris, Nine’s chief AFL reporter, has been recruited by Seven after two years with Nine. The Herald Sun reported that Morris informed Nine of his decision on Friday morning, following an attractive offer from Seven’s head of sport Chris Jones and SEN boss Craig Hutchison.
Morris’s passion for both football and cricket played a key role in his decision, as Seven broadcasts both sports. This move is part of a recent trend where Seven has attracted several talents from Nine, including Kane Cornes, Caroline Wilson, and Craig Hutchison over the past 18 months. Morris’s contract with Nine officially ends on December 31.
Background and Reactions
Morris’s career experienced setbacks after he was dismissed from Fox Footy, leading to a hiatus of a year or two. After two years, he chose to move on for a better opportunity. Some viewers express strong criticism of Morris and Seven’s AFL commentary team.
“I will turn him off when Tom Morris appears on screen. I don’t think he is a very nice person given that he had history of controversies. Seven’s AFL commentary team are getting worse with every passing year. He is the worst AFL journo out there.”
“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). Seven aren’t even close to the ‘worst offenders’.”
Industry Insights
- Seven’s recruitment of former Nine employees reflects a competitive shift in sports broadcasting talent.
- Morris’s expertise covers both AFL and cricket, aligning with Seven’s dual sports focus.
- Viewer opinions on commentary quality and personnel vary widely.
Author's summary: Tom Morris’s move from Nine to Seven highlights ongoing talent shifts in Australian sports broadcasting, fueled by career opportunities and broadcast rights.