Fox Footy commentators ordered to not use nicknames on AFL broadcast

Kieran Francis

Fox Footy commentators ordered to not use nicknames on AFL broadcast image

Anthony, Mark, David, Leigh, Jason, Nathan, Ben, Dermott, Alastair and Jonathan.

These are some of the unfamiliar names you will hear mentioned on Fox Footy's AFL broadcasts this week.

In an unusual move, the AFL's pay-tv/streaming broadcaster has order its commentators to not use nicknames when referring to each other during games.

Many of Fox Footy's commentators have nicknames they have been affectionately known as for a number of years - many since their playing days.

MORE: AFL games set to be broadcast in multiple languages

Ex-St Kilda star Leigh Montagna is known as 'Joey', Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley is referred to as 'Bucks, while former Hawthorn player Ben Dixon is called 'Dicko', among many other short names at Fox Footy.

However, an edict at the broadcaster has asked its commentators to refer to their fellow callers by their first names during AFL coverage.

AFL personality Dan Gorringe believes the 'game's gone' when it comes to commentators being forced to use their peers' first names.

"The country is built on nicknames, "Gorringe said via his @dandoesfooty Tik Tok.

"This is going to be so not right having no nicknames being thrown around tomorrow night and going forward."

Fox Footy AFL callers with nicknames

  • Leigh Montagna - Joey
  • Nathan Buckley - Bucks
  • Ben Dixon - Dicko
  • Anthony Hudson - Huddo
  • Mark Howard - Howie
  • David King - Kingy
  • Jason Dunstall - Chief
  • Dermott Brereton - Derm
  • Alastair Lynch - Lynchy
  • Jonathan Brown - Browny
  • Andrew Gaze - Gazey
  • Jon Ralph - Ralphy
  • Jordan Lewis - Jordy
  • Tom Hawkins - Hawk
  • Cameron Mooney - Moons
  • Bernie Vince - Berns

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.