Who is commentating Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn on Channel 7 and 7plus?
Match date:
Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn will be shown live in the UK via the Australian free-to-air broadcast on Channel 7 and 7plus, with the match taking place at The Gabba and scheduled for 7:40pm AEST. Channel 7’s coverage is led by James Brayshaw and Abbey Holmes, while the production also uses the world-feed commentary team for the main play-by-play and reporting duties.
Watch live: according to the official Lions match information, viewers can stream the game on Fox Footy, Kayo and BINGE, or watch free-to-air on Channel 7 and 7plus from 7:30pm.
James Brayshaw is one of Australian sport’s most recognisable broadcasters, having built a long media career across television and radio, while also becoming a familiar AFL voice through his match coverage and hosting work. Abbey Holmes, a former AFLW player, has developed into a respected presenter and analyst after her playing career, bringing on-field insight to live football coverage.
The Channel 7 pundit panel is rounded out by Matthew Richardson and Dale Thomas. Richardson, the former Richmond spearhead, is well known for his straight-talking analysis and long-running media career after retirement. Thomas, a former Collingwood premiership player, has also established himself as a prominent AFL commentator and studio voice with a sharp, modern read on the game.
On the world feed, James Brayshaw and Alister Nicholson are listed as the main commentators, with Matthew Richardson and Dale Thomas as co-commentators and Abbey Holmes in a reporting role. That combination gives the broadcast a strong balance of play-by-play, tactical insight and player perspective, which should suit a high-profile Round 22 clash between two finals-calibre sides.
Alister Nicholson is another experienced AFL caller, long associated with major football broadcasts and known for his composed, detailed commentary style. Xander McGuire is also listed as a reporter on the Channel 7 team, adding further on-ground coverage to what is expected to be a busy night at the Gabba.
The fixture itself has plenty riding on it. Brisbane and Hawthorn have met in a number of significant recent clashes, and the Gabba has become a key venue in the Lions’ push for consistency at home. Official club information confirms the match is being played at Brisbane’s home ground, with gates opening at 6:15pm and crowd access subject to ticketing conditions.
For British and global viewers, the key point is that this is a broadcast-led coverage story as much as a football one: Channel 7 and 7plus carry the free-to-air telecast, while the world-feed setup ensures the same match can be followed with experienced AFL voices and multi-role presentation across different platforms.
For more on the competition, see the AFL.
Article generated: 7 August 2026, 10:41 GMT