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Sunrise hosts David Koch and Mark Beretta have vented about how “pissed off” West Australian football fans face could be hit with further disappointment if the AFL decides to put a “big pot
of cash” before its loyal fans. The popular TV presenters have weighed in amid the huge backlash over a Newscorp-backed proposal to strip AFL supporters in WA and South Australia of their
access to free-to-air games on Channel Seven, forcing them to pay to watch their local teams. Kochie explained how, under the current deal, which expires in 2024, WA and SA fans can watch
their teams on free-to-air TV, while the pay TV rights are held by Foxtel, which is 65 per cent owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. But the deal is under threat with the AFL holding talks
with media giants as well as ViacomCBS-owned Network Ten and its Paramount+ streaming service, and Nine Entertainment. Kochie, who is also the chairman of Port Adelaide, said an occasional
90-minute delay for some games already left some fans “pissed off”. “Apparently there’s a rumour under the new broadcast rights Foxtel are saying ‘nah, nah’ we’re not going to allow those
games to be shown live in those local markets,” Koch said. “So West Coast, Dockers, Port Adelaide, Crows fans will have to pay a subscription moneys to access the games live.” Berretta was
clearly furious over the move and called for the AFL not to desert its loyal supporters. “It’s do they want to look after the fans or do they want to grab the big pot of cash?” he said. “And
I think at the end of the day you’ve got to look after the fans because in the long run it’s the fans that keep the game going.” “Nothing annoys Port Adelaide fans more than watching a game
on delay let alone not being able to access it on free-to-air in the first place,” Koch added. On Monday, Premier Mark McGowan called on the AFL to stick with free-to-air TV. “Free-to-air
TV coverage of our local footy teams goes a long way to growing the game from the junior grassroots level, to country footy and all the way to professional level,” Mr McGowan said. “It would
be a sad day for Australia if people lost the opportunity to watch the football for free. “I’d strongly urge the AFL to stick with free-to-air viewing of football.” Mr McGowan said AFL
united West Aussies from “all backgrounds and walks of life”. “Our recent opportunity to host the Dreamtime match and AFL Grand Final demonstrated on the national stage that WA is
second-to-none as a footballing State,” he said. GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM THEWEST.COM.AU IN YOUR INBOX. Sign up for our emails