Former football star and Channel Seven presenter lands exciting new job

Football fans are divided after Abbey Holmes was handed one of the AFL’s most prestigious roles ahead of the 2024 season, with some fans angry that a woman was left with the coveted role.

Channel Seven boundary jockey Holmes, 33, will replace Geelong great Cameron Ling on the AFL’s Australian selection panel.

Holmes joins AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon, AFL chief executive Laura Kane, plus former greats Eddie Betts, Jude Bolton, Nathan Buckley, Kane Cornes, Glen Jakovich, Matthew Pavlich and Josh Mahoney in the carefully selected panel.

Cats premiership captain Ling will step down from his role after 11 years to pursue other interests.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon congratulated Holmes on his appointment and thanked Ling for his service over more than a decade.

‘Abbey has enjoyed a decorated playing career and is now in her ninth season as an expert commentator and boundary rider on Channel Seven. “She analyzes the game closely on a weekly basis,” she said.

“We are delighted to have someone with her level of experience on the panel and her contributions will be incredibly valuable when it comes to selecting the top performers for the 2024 season.

“On behalf of the AFL, I would also like to thank Cameron Ling for his dedication and service as a selector over the past 11 seasons.”

News of Holmes’ appointment was a topic of conversation on social media, with some football fans left stunned by the development.

‘LMAO… let’s start putting anyone on the panel,’ raged one disgruntled fan.

Another posted: ‘Another decision that wakes up… standard!’

A third chimed in: ‘What experience do you have in the AFL? Oh, that’s right, she’s a woman, so she gave him her job.’

Despite the brutal backlash against X, Holmes is far from a sports novice.

She won the AFLW premiership with Adelaide in 2017 and also represented Australia as a 16-year-old in an international netball tournament.