Who is commentating Hawthorn v Essendon on Fox Footy and Kayo Sports? AFL Round 20 broadcast details

Match date: 25 July 2026

Hawthorn v Essendon in AFL Round 20 will be shown in the UK and internationally via Fox Footy / Kayo Sports, with no free-to-air coverage confirmed for the match. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:15pm AEST at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which is the equivalent of 7:15am UK time. [1][5][9]

For viewers looking for who is fronting the broadcast, the listed presenter is Dwayne Russell, with Kath Loughnan as co-presenter. The coverage also features a strong panel of AFL voices, including Jonathan Brown, Tom Hawkins, David King and Jack Riewoldt, while Jay Clark is named as reporter. [1][2]

The broadcast arrangement is notable because the production is using the world feed for the main commentary, with Dwayne Russell listed as main commentator, and Jonathan Brown and Tom Hawkins as co-commentators. Cameron Mooney is listed as reporter on the world feed. [1][2]

Dwayne Russell is one of Australian rules football’s most recognisable callers, known for his long-running work across AFL radio and television. His role here as both presenter and lead caller underlines how Fox Footy often builds its coverage around experienced broadcasters who can bridge analysis and live play-by-play. Kath Loughnan is also a familiar face in Australian sport broadcasting, having built a reputation as a versatile host and interviewer across major events and footy coverage. [2]

The pundit line-up brings together heavy football pedigree. Jonathan Brown, a three-time premiership player with Brisbane, has become one of the sport’s more widely respected analysts since moving into media. Tom Hawkins adds current-era insight and recent playing experience, while David King is known for tactical breakdowns and match analysis. Jack Riewoldt, a triple premiership key forward with Richmond, brings a strong attacking perspective and a direct on-air style. Cameron Mooney, who appears on the world feed as reporter, is another former premiership player whose post-career media work has kept him prominent in AFL coverage. [1][2]

For fans checking access, the key point is simple: Fox Footy and Kayo Sports are the places to watch, with the match listed as a paid broadcast rather than a free-to-air fixture. The MCG match page and club game-day guides both confirm the 4:15pm local start and Fox/Kayo coverage from around 4:00pm AEST. [1][5][9][12]

The game itself is one of the classic modern AFL rivalries, and the broadcast setup suggests a premium production for a marquee Saturday afternoon fixture. For more about the competition, the AFL’s official match pages and club game-day guides are the most reliable references for teams, timings and broadcast details. [5][11][12]

If you are planning to watch from Britain, the useful detail is the time conversion: 7:15am UK time on Saturday, with the broadcast available through Fox Footy and Kayo Sports rather than the BBC, Sky, ITV or TNT. [1][2][5]

Article generated: 25 July 2026, 07:15 GMT