How to listen to 3AW Wide World of Sports as Jimmy Bartel, Matthew Lloyd and Sam McClure lead AFL coverage

Australian football fans in the UK and around the world can tune into 3AW Wide World of Sports for AFL discussion and analysis, with Jimmy Bartel presenting alongside former Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd and football journalist Sam McClure. The programme is available via 3AW in Melbourne, and the show’s recent episode listings confirm it remains an active part of the station’s sports offering.[3][4]

This is a strong listen for anyone following the AFL fixture, selection debates and club form. A recent 3AW Wide World of Sports episode discussed “the complete layups the AFL missed” in releasing the 2026 fixture, underlining the show’s focus on the league’s major talking points.[1] The programme therefore sits squarely in the conversation for supporters looking for informed, opinion-driven analysis rather than just match calls.

Jimmy Bartel brings elite playing credentials to the microphone. He was one of the AFL era’s most decorated midfielders and is widely recognised as a thoughtful broadcaster after moving into media work following his playing career. Matthew Lloyd, another high-profile voice on the panel, is best known as a prolific goalkicker for Essendon and has become a regular football commentator and analyst. Sam McClure is established as a news-driven AFL journalist, giving the programme a mix of playing insight, tactical perspective and reporting detail.

For British and global audiences, the key point is that this is primarily an Australian radio and podcast-style AFL programme, rather than a TV rights package on BBC, Sky, ITV or TNT. That makes it especially useful for listeners who want commentary and debate around the competition even when live television coverage is not available in their region. The show can also be followed in replay form, with recent episodes published on podcast platforms and audio services.[3][4][5]

The appeal of a line-up like this is the balance it offers. Bartel can anchor the discussion with a premiership-winning player’s understanding of the modern game, Lloyd can provide direct experience from the forward line and a frank pundit’s view, and McClure can add the latest off-field context and league developments. That combination is exactly what has made 3AW Wide World of Sports a recognisable destination for AFL followers who want more than a basic score update.

If you are trying to keep up with the AFL from outside Australia, this programme is a practical way to stay across the competition’s news cycle, and it is particularly relevant when fixture releases, team selection and season forecasts dominate the agenda.[1][3] For more background on the competition itself, see the Australian Football League.

Article generated: 29 May 2026, 09:01 GMT