Nine goes to war with Channel Seven over the AFL as Tony Jones blasts rival Tim Watson’s coverage

Veteran broadcaster Tony Jones has blasted Channel Seven’s AFL coverage in a blistering rant as he reignited his long-running feud with footy legend Tim Watson.

Jones fired shots at his rival during this week’s instalment of the Sunday Footy Show after pair took many swipes at each other over the years – and it was Watson’s recent AFL promo that got the Nine star’s attention.

In the clip, Watson promises Seven viewers coverage from inside AFL venues, but as Jones pointed out, much of the broadcaster’s recent coverage was done from outside the ground.

Jones started off his tirade by saying he was ‘not going after Tim per se’ but insists he’s guilty by association.

‘When you pay billions [for the TV rights for the AFL] you would expect to get the front door key to the MCG,’ Jones said.

‘Here is Timmy telling us and all the other non-broadcast holders how we do it outside the game.

‘Pretty compelling stuff. I had a look at their news on the opening night. Here is Blake Johnson, a senior reporter outside the ground. 

‘There is senior reporter Nick McCallum. Mitch Cleary, chief football reporter. Jane Bunn outside.

‘Timmy, did you read the script properly? Well done, Seven for thinking outside the square.’

Jones’ co-hosts on the show, Kane Cornes, Nathan Brown, Matthew Lloyd and Damien Barrett, were left laughing at the segment.

‘Very strong start, TJ. No prisoners kept,’ said Cornes.

The beef between Jones and Watson kicked off in 2021 when Jones remarked ‘who is it?’ when shown a photo of Watson.

Jones’ co-hosts on the show, Kane Cornes, Nathan Brown, Matthew Lloyd and Damien Barrett, were left laughing at the Sunday Footy Show segment

The beef between Jones and Watson kicked off in 2021 when Jones remarked ‘who is it?’ when shown a photo of Watson

Watson heard about the remark and implied that Jones, who was known in AFL circles as ‘Chompers’ for his white teeth, also had hair plugs.