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Sandy Roberts to depart Seven News

Updated: Sports presenter Sandy Roberts is departing Seven News to join Foxtel.

Sandy & Tim-79aSports presenter Sandy Roberts is departing Seven Newsafter 33 years to commentate AFL matches with Foxtel.

The Melbourne-based presenter, who was rumoured to be joining FOX Footy earlier this year, will be replaced by weekend sports presenter Tim Watson.

 

“I’d like to thank the team at Seven for all their support, friendship and professionalism along the way. It’s been a great ride,” Roberts said. “I’d also like to congratulate Tim and wish him all the best. I’ve known Tim since the early 80s, and we’ve been colleagues for many years. He’ll do a great job.”

The managing director of Seven Melbourne, Lewis Martin, thanked Sandy Roberts for his many years at Seven.

“We’re thrilled Tim is taking up the role. He’s part of the Seven family, his sporting credentials are unrivalled and he’s a respected and much-loved Melburnian. He’s the perfect fit,” Martin said.

“We’d also like to thank Sandy who has made an enormous contribution to Seven over more than three decades. Sandy’s career will be celebrated in appropriate style in coming weeks.”

“I couldn’t be joining the news-desk at a better time,” Watson said. “News and sport demand coverage 24/7. Our sport team is passionate about the business, hell-bent on breaking stories and it will be a privilege to work alongside them.”

In February Roberts said, “Reports that I have a deal with FOX Footy are inaccurate – nor have they made me an offer.”

Roberts joined Seven in Adelaide in 1973 and has since commentated Summer and Winter Olympics, AFL, NBL, the Australian Open, Spring Racing Carnival and major golf tournaments. He joined Seven News Melbourne in 2005.

Tim Watson has also just resigned his breakfast radio role with SEN, this week saying “I’ll just stay with Channel 7 and there are no big plans outside of that. It gives me more time to spend with Seven.”

Roberts’ last day reading sport news will be Friday December 6.

10 Responses

  1. Good luck to you Sandy. I remember watching the devilish Mr Roberts when he worked at BCV8 Bendigo (now SC10) in the early 1970s, then on Seven News and the late, lamented World of Sport. Have always appreciated his wit, humour and devilry.
    Thanks, too, Sandy for supplying one of Australian television’s best and most infamous bloopers, during your memorable 1981 broadcast from the Mount Gambier races where you introduced Miss Australia, Leanne Dick, with a somewhat different surname.

  2. Think Sandy ready back in Feb Tim wasn’t. Now ducks aligned. Was becoming a long queue kback to calling @ 7. Fox to use him well and wil add value.

    I wonder if he will still have commitments with Crocmedia, where he still has his calling skills on offer.

    What might be an interesting left-field surprise would be if Fox use their own audio feed over the Ch 7 video next season…

    I guess Sandy will get to slide in neatly and also be some insurance for various absences over the Glasgow Comm Games in late July/Early Aug as well.

    Regarding weekend spot, might see Sam Lane get more exposure, Richo at a stretch or maybe as a dark horse Mark Stevens. That said, would also be nice to see Nathan Templeton step up.

  3. Im going to miss Sandy’s little comments he used to make at the end of sport to try and put Peter off and make him laugh.

    I wonder who will replace Tim on weekends then

  4. Sandy is one of the legends of Australian TV…still performing well after alllllll these years. Well done Sandy. Sorry to see you leave free to air but your talents will be put to better use away from the news desk.

    Here is Sandy back in 1985 on World of Sport.

    youtube.com/watch?v=KQdWhDVmgN0

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