Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) has locked in its Breakfast and Mornings programming line-up for SEN 1116am in Melbourne, alongside Corey Parker joining Ian Healy at SENQ and Vossy and Brandy continuing on in Sydney in 2025.
While Tim Watson has announced his television retirement after nearly 30 years at the end of this year, he will continue on SEN 1116am with Garry Lyon doing SEN Breakfast with Garry & Tim, Tuesdays to Thursdays. The pair of AFL greats were a part of the first-ever program when SEN launched in Melbourne 20 years ago in January.
Watson said:
“I’ve always said I’ve had the best job in the world, and without exception, that includes the time Garry and I spend in the studios and on-air at SEN. I’ve been fortunate to have been a part of the team at SEN from the very beginning, and whilst the television chapter of my career is finishing up shortly, I’m really keen to still remain a part of the Melbourne media family on SEN.”
Lyon added:
“Tim and I are excited about bringing to our audience the most comprehensive and controversial takes on every footy issue going around. There is no coach safe, and we will critique any player without fear or favour. We’ll leave it to the Monday and Friday team to relax, not take themselves too seriously and ramble through some of the lighter things in life. Or is it the other way around?! Either way, it will be good to be back.”
David King will also expand his role on SEN Breakfast, joining Kane Cornes on the ‘lighter things in life’ Mondays and Fridays in 2025. King would appear every Friday morning with a ‘Fireball Friday’ of footy analysis. Now that the duo will expand their partnership to top-and-tail it will become a Fireball with Kane & Kingy.
A 241-game player for North Melbourne and now AFL commentator and pundit, King said:
“Can’t wait for ‘Fireball’ to top and tail the weekend of footy with our loyal SEN listeners. Fun, fights, and footy…bring it on!”
Cornes added:
“Having ‘Fireball’ to bookend the week on Monday and Friday mornings on SEN Breakfast in 2025 is incredibly exciting. I’m proud of how the show has grown and evolved over the past three years and the way our audience has embraced us and joined in on our conversations. Now, being able to dive into the biggest talking points, dissect and analyse the games, and share our big opinions first thing on Mondays after the weekend’s action is a fantastic opportunity. As always, there’s sure to be plenty of fireworks.”
Collingwood great Nathan Buckley remains with the network with his role expanding. He joins SEN 1116am’s morning show Whateley with Gerard Whateley for The Monday Means Test as well as being a regular part of the program’s Wednesday show.
Whateley said he’s delighted to share mornings with Buckley in 2025.
“There is nobody more sharp-eyed and clear-minded to find the meaning from a round of footy than Nathan Buckley. With a champion’s demeanor and a coach’s brain, Buckley is honed not to the outrageous and over-the-top reactions to each game, but the long-term worth and trend of a team and its fortunes.
I’ve had the privilege of working with Bucks from the very beginning of ‘Whateley’ and he’s absolutely perfect for ‘The Monday Means Test’ – the most important 90 minutes of the week.”
Buckley echoed Whateley:
“I’m really looking forward to working more with Gerard on ‘Whateley’ in 2025. Gerard is one of the country’s premier broadcasters, so not only am I looking forward to having a regular front row seat to see the master at work, but I think there are some really robust and meaningful discussions we can share with our listeners.
On ‘The Monday Means Test’ we’ll cover not just all the talking points from what’s happened on the field over the weekend, but League-wide issues and trends. The AFL is more than just a sport these days, it’s part of the fabric of our culture here in Melbourne, and I’m looking forward to diving into it each and every week with Gerard.”
SEN’s Chief Executive Officer, Craig Hutchison, said he is looking forward to the shows’ expansions.
“Garry and Tim, Kane and Kingy, and Gerard and Bucks are all really valued members of our on-air team at SEN, and so we are thrilled that our listeners have the opportunity to hear such experienced broadcasters all in the one place again next year.
We know how passionate our Melbourne audience is about AFL in particularly, and so we’re thrilled to be able to bring them such qualified pundits across our morning programming each weekday.”
SEN 1116am:
Whateley returns to the airwaves for a new year on Tuesday 28 January 2025, from 9am.
Fireball with Kane & Kingy (6 to 9am) starts on Friday 31 January.
Breakfast with Garry & Tim will commence on Tuesday 11 February.
Nathan Buckley will first be heard on Whateley on Wednesday March 5, with The Monday Means Test to commence post the AFL’s Opening Round on Tuesday March 11 (following the Labour Day Public Holiday).