Who is on 3AW Sports Today for AFL coverage on 7 August 2026? Jimmy Bartel, Matthew Lloyd and Laura Spurway
Match date:
3AW Sports Today will provide AFL-focused coverage on Friday, 7 August 2026, with Jimmy Bartel presenting alongside Matthew Lloyd and Laura Spurway on 3AW Melbourne. The programme is part of a busy AFL round that includes Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn at the Gabba at 7:40pm AEST, one of the headline fixtures in Round 22. [4][18]
For listeners in the UK, this is not a BBC, Sky, ITV or TNT broadcast, but a Melbourne radio programme aimed at AFL followers who want pre-match build-up, expert analysis and local perspective on the league. The date and fixture timing place the show squarely in the middle of the AFL weekend, making it especially relevant for British and global readers tracking the competition from abroad. [4][18]
Jimmy Bartel is one of the best-known voices in Australian sport, bringing elite playing experience to his media work. A former Geelong champion and Brownlow Medallist, Bartel has long been valued in broadcasting for combining tactical insight with an understanding of the modern game, which makes him a strong fit for a current-affairs style AFL programme. This background helps explain why he is frequently used on radio and television panels covering major matches. [1][13]
Matthew Lloyd adds another layer of football knowledge. Best remembered as a prolific full-forward for Essendon, Lloyd’s playing career made him one of the most recognisable key-position players of his era, and his post-career media role has centred on direct, performance-driven analysis. On a show like 3AW Sports Today, his comments are likely to focus on forward structures, matchups and selection pressure ahead of the weekend’s games. [1][13]
Laura Spurway brings contemporary reporting experience to the line-up. Her presence reflects the broader evolution of AFL media coverage, where live analysis is increasingly paired with strong journalistic reporting and on-the-ground updates. That mix is particularly useful during a round with multiple games and fast-moving team news, including the Gabba clash already listed on the AFL schedule. [4][18]
The broader AFL fixture confirms that Round 22 begins with Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne on Thursday evening before moving into the Friday night contest at Brisbane. The schedule then continues across Saturday and Sunday, underlining why a radio show such as 3AW Sports Today remains valuable for fans wanting a daily recap and informed discussion across the round. [6][8]
For viewers and listeners trying to follow the competition more widely, the official AFL fixture page remains the most authoritative source for match timings and results, while ESPN also carries a full 2026 AFL schedule. That makes it easier to place 3AW Sports Today within the larger context of the league’s live coverage, even for readers outside Australia. [1][2]
More information on the competition can be found at the official AFL fixture, which lists the season’s matches, venues and results in one place. [1]
Article generated: 6 August 2026, 21:00 GMT