Fox Footy AFLW commentators 2026

Two of the best and most decorated players in AFLW history, as well as one of the game’s sharpest minds, have joined Fox Footy’s all-star line-up of experts for the 2026 season.

Fox Footy on Wednesday morning released its list of commentators for the 2026 AFLW season, headlined by the additions of AFLW greats Lauren Arnell, Chelsea Randall and Emma Kearney.

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Randall joins the Fox Footy commentary team after an outstanding career. A three-time premiership Crow, five-time All-Australian, eight-season Adelaide captain, club best and fairest winner and six-time AFLW Players’ Most Courageous Player winner, Randall played 80 matches and kicked 38 goals before retiring in June due to experiencing issues related to concussion.

Fellow inaugural AFLW season player Kearney also returns to the Fox Footy stable ahead of her 11th season. Kearney is a three-time premiership player and seven-time All-Australian, while she claimed the AFLW best and fairest award in the competition’s second season (2018).

Arnell is one of the competition’s most celebrated figures. After serving as Carlton’s inaugural captain and playing in Brisbane’s 2021 premiership side, Arnell became the first former AFLW player appointed as a senior AFLW coach when Port Adelaide signed her in 2022 as its inaugural coach. She led the Power for their first four seasons, highlighted by an outstanding 2024 campaign that saw Port finish sixth on the ladder and memorably advance to a preliminary final.

Arnell was part of Fox Footy’s commentary team for last weekend’s historic AFLW Australia-Ireland international match, which attracted Kayo SPORTS and Foxtel’s biggest AFLW audience on record.

“After the huge success of the Australia v Ireland international, the AFLW has never been in a stronger position,” Fox Footy general manager Mick Neill said. “Every season the standard rises again, and the quality of footy continues to reach new levels as the pathways mature and more elite athletes come into the competition.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Lauren Arnell, Chelsea Randall and Emma Kearney to Fox Footy. They are champions of the game who have helped shape AFLW from day one, and their experience and insight will add another dimension to our coverage.

“Our coverage is built around the best people in the game. We’re proud to have assembled one of the strongest and most experienced teams in Australian sports broadcasting.”

New Sydney Swans recruit Taylor Smith — a dual premiership Lion and the 2024 AFLW leading goalkicker — was on the North Sydney Oval boundary for the broadcast of last weekend’s AFLW international .

Smith is one of several current AFLW stars who’ll play a key role in Fox Footy’s coverage of the 2026 season, alongside dual All-Australian and Collingwood captain Ruby Schleicher, Bulldogs premiership skipper and six-time club champion Ellie Blackburn, premiership Bulldog turned Essendon captain Bonnie Toogood and Collingwood best and fairest winner Jordyn Allen.

Dual All-Australian and former Geelong skipper Meg McDonald returns to provide special comments, as does Australian Hall of Fame member Debbie Lee, five-time WAWFL premiership player Nikki Harwood, former Carlton AFLW coach Daniel Harford, premiership Eagle Will Schofield and football pioneer Chyloe Kurdas, who’s been part of Fox Footy’s coverage since the inaugural AFLW season in 2017.

This year’s play-by-play callers will be Kelli Underwood OAM, Jess Webster, Ben Waterworth, Adam Papalia and Joel Peterson.

The 2026 season also marks another milestone for Kayo SPORTS’ commitment to women’s sport and women in sports broadcasting. This year, at least 25 women will feature across Fox Footy’s AFL and AFLW coverage in presenting, commentary, boundary riding and special comments roles.

Across the Foxtel Group’s coverage of AFL, AFLW, NRL, NRLW, international cricket, the BBL, WBBL and Super Netball, almost 90 women will take on on-air roles throughout the year – an unmatched commitment by any Australian broadcaster.

Fans can watch every AFLW match throughout the 2026 season live on Fox Footy, including every final and the Grand Final, with expert analysis, comprehensive pre and post-game coverage and every big moment from the season.

FOX FOOTY AFLW COMMENTATORS 2026

Play-by-play callers

Kelli Underwood, Jess Webster, Ben Waterworth, Joel Peterson, Adam Papalia

Expert commentators

Lauren Arnell, Chelsea Randall, Emma Kearney, Ruby Schleicher, Ellie Blackburn, Meg McDonald, Jordyn Allen, Bonnie Toogood, Taylor Smith, Chyloe Kurdas, Debbie Lee, Nikki Harwood, Daniel Harford, Will Schofield

Boundary reporters

Lauren Wood, Megan Waters, Sarah Burt, Steph Clarkson, Alexia Pesce, Monique Van Der Heyden, Jess Stewart, Keirra Trompf, Bonnie Raynor, Sarah Karaoglu

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