With the AFL finals and AFLW season set to kick off this weekend, events are taking place across the country to celebrate and commemorate an extraordinary season of AFL and looking forward to the AFLW season ahead.
We work with some of the best former and current players, commentators and experts who are available to join or help host your upcoming Grand Final events either virtually or in person. We have curated a list of AFL stars who we think would wow your audience and you can find even more Speakers on the AFL and AFLW via our website.
If you're looking for a Speaker to join your Grand Final event contact our expert team on 1300 799 823 or enquire here for more information.
Gillon McLachlan
Gillon McLachlan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Football League.
He has worked for the AFL since 2000, initially as a consultant in strategic planning and in November, 2003, was appointed General Manager, Commercial Operations.
He subsequently assumed additional responsibilities for broadcasting and major projects in 2006 and in 2008, was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2008 with responsibility for AFL broadcasting, digital media, fixturing, venue agreements and stadia infrastructure.
In December, 2012 he was appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer, a position he held until his appointment as Chief Executive Officer on April 30, 2014 to succeed Andrew Demetriou.
Nathan Buckley
Nathan Buckley is one of the AFL’s most decorated players, with a long-running list of accolades from his 280-game playing career. He continues to leave a mark on the AFL world as a former coach of Collingwood and is a popular Speaker and Ambassador. Buckley celebrated his 200th game as senior coach at Collingwood in 2020 and June 2021 he announced his resignation from Collingwood.
He is a proud ambassador of Wolf Blass and a popular speaker covering a range of topics and events.
Matthew Richardson
With a football career spanning almost 25 years, Matthew ‘Richo’ Richardson is one of the most humble members of the AFL community.
A legend of the game, Richo is regarded as one of Richmond’s greatest ever players. He is known for his passion, work ethic, courage, and goal kicking & marking prowess. Post-retirement, his ability to engage, entertain and inspire enabled him to make a successful transition into the media world.
Currently working with the Seven Network, 3AW and the Richmond Tigers, his opinions and insights are highly regarded. His professional achievements, personal values and easygoing caring and respectful nature are among the reasons Richo is loved by all parts of the footy community.
Alastair Clarkson
Alastair Clarkson is universally regarded as the best coaches in modern-day Australian football (AFL) and one of the greatest of all time. His enviable record includes:
- Four Premierships (2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015) and one runner-up (2012)
- Guiding Hawthorn Football Club to 26 finals appearances (16 wins)
- Hawthorn’s most successful coach of all time
- A record 390 games as Hawthorn coach
- Two-time All-Australian team coach
Alastair is renowned for his innovation, leadership philosophies and ability to lead change in the way AFL football is played. He was and remains the trailblazer for AFL coaches to travel internationally to gain knowledge from the highest level of global sports and to adapt to AFL football.
Daisy Pearce
Hailing from country Victoria, Daisy Pearce is a pioneer of Women’s Football in Australia. One of the AFLW’s premier stars she has been at the forefront of the fast-expanding women’s game since its launch on the national stage in 2016.
With the AFLW only in its infancy, Daisy already boasts an astounding resume. Captain of the Melbourne Football Club’s for the first two AFLW seasons (2017 & 2018) she won the Club’s Best & Fairest in both of those years and was also named a 2x All-Australian representative. Daisy’s resume extends off the field where she is an experienced media personality and a practicing midwife.
Expecting twins, Daisy sat out the 2019 AFLW season. She further established herself as an expert analyst for the Seven Network and on the radio for SEN during this time and also took an off-field role at Melbourne mentoring the club’s first-year players.
After a knee injury cut her 2021 AFLW season short, Daisy and her Dees had a fantastic 2022 Season 6, making the AFLW Grand Final for the first time. After falling short to Adelaide in the Grand Final, the Dees are committed to going one better in Season 7.
Jacqui Felgate
Beginning her journalism career in print media, Jacqui Felgate transitioned to TV where she has been a mainstay on Australian screens for over 15 years.
Awarded two Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards for her work with Seven News, Jacqui’s passion for sport saw her spend more and more time on Seven’s vast sports coverage.
She currently leads Seven’s AFLW coverage, is a member of the AFL coverage, and has covered international events such as Wimbledon. She also hosts Seven’s weekend sport and afternoon news.
In 2020 Jacqui was the first female to host the Brownlow Medal, something Jacqui looks upon as her greatest professional achievement to date.
When she is not working Jacqui spends her time with her family, including her two daughters and husband Michael. Passionate about family, sport and fashion, Jacqui is highly sought after for collaborations across a range of areas. She has worked on campaigns with national brands Myer, Australia Post, the AFL, and the Victorian and Melbourne Racing Clubs.
She is currently an ambassador for Mitchelton Wines and works with multiple charities, including the Royal Children’s Hospital. As a prominent figure in Australian media, Jacqui is an advocate for supporting young female journalists and helping break down barriers. A Geelong supporter for many years, Jacqui loves taking her family along to the football whenever she can.
Rodney Eade
Rodney Eade’s longevity as a senior coach at the highest level of Australian Rules Football for 17 Years, during which time he has coached over 377 games, is a testament to not only his talent, people management, and tactical prowess but his ability to build and/or transform culture.
With his strong leadership and direction, he has been able to transform culture from the board to the factory floor.
Based on this cultural foundation, he has been able to plan to build high-performing environments and teams.
Nick Riewoldt
Nick Riewoldt is an AFL champion with a decorated career which spanned 17 years with St Kilda Football Club. Riewoldt played 336 games and kicked 718 goals. The key forward holds the all-time record for most marks in VFL/AFL history, is a six-time winner of the Trevor Barker Award, a five-time All Australian, St Kilda’s longest serving captain (220 games), and by any measure one of the club’s greatest ever players.
Riewoldt currently works on TV as part of the Fox Footy team's post-game program and on radio throughout the AFL Season.
Alongside his media commitments, Riewoldt will pursue business interests and continue his long-term relationship with leading global sportswear brand Nike and as an ambassador for Mercedes Benz Brighton, sports travel app Sports Where I Am and RSEA Safety.
Moana Hope
A powerhouse of Women's Football, Moana Hope is one of the AFLW's most recognizable figures.
A star junior, Moana competed against the older women from a very young age, honing her craft to become one of the VFLW's most damaging forwards, including a 100-goal season for the St Kilda Sharks before the launch of the AFLW.
Ahead of the launch of the AFLW, the inaugural Australian Rules Women's League, Moana was a featured player alongside the likes of Daisy Pearce, Katie Brennan, and Darcy Vescio.
Mo was a prominent feature in the first three seasons (2017 - 2019) of the competition and played for Collingwood and then North Melbourne, before stepping away.
Cameron Ling
Cameron Ling’s AFL football career included 246 games for the Geelong Cats, beginning in 2000 and culminating in 2011 as captain of the premiership-winning side. “Lingy” was known as a respected, hardworking team member whose leadership helped shape Geelong’s 2007, 2009 and 2011 Premiership winning teams. His personal accolades include Best and Fairest, All Australian and, upon retirement, received the Madden Medal for contributions both on and off the field to football and the community.
Following his retirement from elite AFL, he has been part of the Channel 7 and 3AW commentary teams in an expert commentary role. He has also held various Leadership Consultant roles at AFL clubs.
Brian Taylor
Brian Taylor ‘BT’ is one of the AFL’s most loved and respected commentators. He is best known for his passion as a player, entertaining commentary style and commitment to the game at all levels. A past player, BT played 140 games for Richmond and Collingwood and was awarded the Coleman Medal in 1986. He has
since been honoured by Collingwood as a Life Member and is also in its Hall of Fame.
BT is currently a lead commentator on television for the Seven Network and on the radio for Triple M. His ‘Roaming Brian’ segment on Seven has cemented his popularity with the public. Brian's hosting and TV experience extends beyond football with his involvement in new Seven Network programs including The Great Weekend, The Real Full Monty and Mates on a Mission.
Sam Lane
Multi-award-winning journalist and author Samantha Lane is a media trailblazer. A member of the Seven Network’s Australian Football League television broadcast team, Sam’s experience and reach across mainstream and social media platforms are unique.
Her first book, ROAR, is unparalleled; telling of the cultural transformation generated by the AFL women’s league launch. Sam has been engaged nationally to discuss the phenomenon since ROAR’s 2018 release. ROAR won a Melbourne Press Club Quill Award in 2019 for the best reporting on women’s sport.
