Football fans have let their imaginations run wild after leading Channel Seven commentator Brian Taylor teased an “emotional” and “unbelievable” announcement that would be made immediately after the AFL grand final.
The former Collingwood star’s intriguing advert appeared on social media platform X the day before the big match between the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions.
“Something is going to happen at the end of the grand final… it’s going to be very emotional and an incredible surprise for everyone in the football world,” he told South Australian radio stars Rowey and Timmy G.
The fact that it would have to be a very important announcement after the biggest game of the year, coupled with the vague nature of the post, has led many football fans to draw some bold conclusions.
Some predict that Taylor could end his long career as a commentator, which has made him a polarizing figure.
“It would be the biggest move by BT ever to try to make everything about them immediately after a team wins the premiership,” one posted on Reddit.
“Watch him announce his retirement and then announce there’s still time to come back,” another added sarcastically.
Veteran Channel Seven commentator Brian ‘BT’ Taylor (pictured) said there would be an ’emotional’ and ‘incredible’ announcement after the AFL grand final.
The Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions (pictured playing earlier this year) will contest the first decider since 2006 in which there will be no Victorian team.
Taylor is well known for his ‘Roaming Brian’ segment after AFL matches, leading many football fans to believe that he is close to retirement.
Others joked that BT could be using modern technology to prolong his commentating career.
‘BT has given its voice to AI so we won’t miss it during its retirement. All AFL, VFL games all the way will be called by BristleAI,’ joked one.
“BT has signed on for 30 more years as the sole commentator for all of football,” added another.
‘Roaming Brian is Channel 7’s new flagship show. It will have an hour every night from 7pm to broadcast live,’ another posted as football fans attacked the popular football commentator.
Others suggested it could be the retirement of Sydney Swans coach John Longmire, who has held the clipboard since 2011.
“Longmire’s retirement might make sense with what happened with Dean Cox and West Coast,” one follower posted.
Other AFL fans believe long-time Sydney Swans coach John Longmire, pictured with star player Isaac Heeney, could call it a career.
Sydney Swans fans will be hoping the fourth time is the charm after losing the previous three grand finals under Longmire.
There were also many conspiracy theories, some serious, some not so much.
“The winning team will be announced and will receive qualification for the Asian Champions League,” joked one fan.
‘Are you no longer welcome in the country?’ asked another.
‘Will the person who hired Tina Arena be fired?’ questioned another.
Some think the big announcement will be Bruce McAvaney’s triumphant return to the commentary team at the age of 71.
“Surely Bruce McAvaney’s return to AFL football commentary in 2025,” one fan posted.
“Based on his cameo last week, that has to be the ‘incredible, emotional surprise.'”
On a more serious note, some AFL supporters believe the announcement could involve Neale Daniher, who was diagnosed with MND in 2013.
Football commentary legend Bruce McAvaney made a brief return during the AFL final, leading some fans to think he could return for more regular spots in 2025.
Brisbane Lions fans will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last year when they lost to Collingwood in the decider.
Scottish researchers recently made a breakthrough in the fight against the deadly motor neurone disease and some fans believe Daniher could be looking to participate in some kind of treatment to save his life.
“It’ll probably be related to Neale Daniher,” one fan posted.
“He could be invited by (four-time AFL head coach) David Parkin to help present the Jock McHale medal; Parkin is close to the Danihers and is a long-time Melbourne fan.”
‘I looked through a lot of posts that made me laugh before I came to this. “I think you’re looking at a winner,” another follower agreed.
“If Brisbane win I could see Neale presenting the Jock McHale medal to Fages,” another added.
Neale Daniher, pictured with Bec Daniher, is battling MND and could be part of the post-game ceremonies on Saturday.
Whatever the announcement, it will have to be huge to replace the first AFL grand final since 2006 in which no Victorian team participated.
The Sydney Swans, this year’s most dominant team and minor premiers, will take on the emerging Brisbane Lions from 2.30pm.
Swans coach John Longmire will look to improve his record at the finals after losing the last three grand finals with Sydney under his guidance.
Meanwhile, Brisbane’s Chris Fagan is about to make history as the first non-playing coach to secure a VFL/AFL premiership, and avenge the pain of losing last year’s decider to Collingwood.
