There aren’t many people who can say they changed the sound of Australian football. Kelli Underwood did exactly that when she became the first woman to call an AFL match on television in 2008.
Profession: Radio and television sports journalist and sportscaster ·
Known for: First woman to commentate an AFL match ·
AFL seasons covered: 25 ·
Award: Order of Australia Medal (OAM) ·
Current platforms: Fox Footy, ABC Sport
Quick snapshot
- First woman to commentate AFL on radio and television (ABC (national public broadcaster))
- Has covered 25 seasons of men’s AFL (Governor-General of Australia (official honours site))
- Received OAM in 2020 Australia Day honours (ABC Sport (public broadcaster))
- Currently works for Fox Footy and ABC Sport (Instagram (personal profile))
- Exact reason for leaving the ABC program Offsiders
- Current relationship or marital status
- 2008: First woman to call an AFL match on TV and radio (ABC (national public broadcaster))
- 2020: Awarded Order of Australia Medal (Governor-General of Australia)
- 2024: Still commentating for Fox Footy and ABC (ABC Listen)
- Continues AFL commentary for Fox Footy and ABC Grandstand (ABC (national public broadcaster))
- Potential expansion into netball and tennis coverage (ABC (national public broadcaster))
Six facts that frame the broadcaster’s career, one pattern: she holds a unique place in Australian sport — a pioneer whose footprint keeps growing.
Here is the career data at a glance.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kelli Underwood |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Sports journalist, sportscaster |
| Years active | 25 seasons of AFL commentary (Governor-General of Australia) |
| Award | Order of Australia Medal (OAM) (official honours citation) |
| Current employers | Fox Footy, ABC Sport (ABC (national public broadcaster)) |
The pattern across these fields is consistent: Underwood has built a career on firsts and longevity.
What happened to Kelli Underwood?
Current broadcasting roles
Underwood remains active on both Fox Footy and ABC Sport. According to ABC (the national public broadcaster), she continues to commentate for ABC Grandstand and has taken over hosting duties for the sports panel show Offsiders. Her Instagram bio (personal profile) lists her roles as “Fox Footy and ABC Sport.”
Recent public appearances
In early 2025, Underwood was featured in an ABC Sport podcast discussing her Order of Australia recognition (ABC Sport (public broadcaster)). She also appears regularly on Fox Footy’s AFL coverage during the season.
Why fans ask about her whereabouts
Some viewers noticed a reduced on-air presence during parts of 2023 and 2024, likely due to rotating commentary schedules. The Wikipedia entry (community-edited encyclopedia) lists her employers as Foxtel and the ABC, confirming she has not left the industry.
Is Kelli Underwood still commentating AFL?
2024 AFL season coverage
Yes — Underwood called matches during the 2024 season for both Fox Footy and ABC Grandstand. The Governor-General’s official citation notes she has covered 25 seasons of the men’s game, indicating continuous involvement through 2024.
Roles at Fox Footy and ABC
She commentates on men’s and women’s AFL matches, and also hosts the ABC’s Offsiders program (ABC (national public broadcaster)). Her work at Fox Footy includes pre-match and commentary roles.
Future commentary prospects
Given her longevity and the industry’s push for diverse voices, Underwood is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The ABC profile describes her as a “regular commentator” for Grandstand.
If her schedule feels lighter, it’s likely the result of Fox Footy rotating commentators — not a retirement. Underwood’s 25-season streak signals sustained demand for her voice.
Who is Kelli Underwood’s father?
Family background in sports
Underwood grew up in South Australia in a family deeply connected to sport. The AdelaideAZ profile (local news history site) says her father was a prominent figure in South Australian sport, though specific details are not widely published. The Wikipedia entry (community-edited encyclopedia) references her South Australian upbringing.
Influence on her career
That early exposure to sport — from attending games to family conversations — laid the foundation for her journalism career. The AdelaideAZ piece describes her “sporting life” as setting her on the path to become the first female AFL commentator.
A South Australian sports lineage gave Underwood the cultural fluency to step into a male-dominated commentary box and hold her own. The lesson for aspiring broadcasters: early exposure to the sport matters as much as formal training.
How did Kelli Underwood get into sports?
Early life in South Australia
Underwood was raised in Adelaide in a sports-mad household. The AdelaideAZ local profile cites her early years in South Australia as the crucible for her love of football and netball.
Education and training
She attended Princeton University in the United States, according to the Wikipedia entry (community-edited encyclopedia). The exact course of study is not specified in public records, but the international experience broadened her perspective.
First AFL commentary breakthrough
Underwood began her career in radio journalism before moving into sports commentary. In 2008, she became the first woman to call an AFL match on television and radio, as confirmed by ABC (the national public broadcaster). The Governor-General of Australia states she was “the first woman to commentate AFL.”
Underwood didn’t just enter the commentary box — she broke a glass ceiling that had stood for more than a century of Australian rules football. That makes her career trajectory a case study in persistence.
What is Kelli Underwood’s nationality and personal background?
Nationality and heritage
Underwood is Australian, born and raised in South Australia. The Governor-General’s official citation references her as an Australian citizen.
Partner and marriage
Underwood keeps her personal life private. No confirmed details about a partner or marriage are available in any of the verified sources. The Wikipedia page does not list a spouse.
Education at Princeton
She attended Princeton University, as noted in her Wikipedia entry (community-edited encyclopedia). The connection to a prestigious U.S. university is unusual for an Australian sports broadcaster and reflects a broader educational background.
Timeline
- Early 2000s: Begins as a radio journalist in South Australia (ABC (national public broadcaster))
- 2008: Becomes first woman to call an AFL match (Governor-General of Australia)
- 2014: Joins ABC Sport (ABC Listen)
- 2020: Awarded Order of Australia Medal (OAM) (official honours citation)
- 2024–2025: Still commentating for Fox Footy and ABC Sport (ABC Sport (public broadcaster))
The pattern in this timeline is clear: each milestone built on the last, with no breaks longer than a season.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- She is the first female AFL commentator (Governor-General of Australia)
- She currently works for Fox Footy and ABC (ABC (national public broadcaster))
- She received the OAM in 2020 (ABC Sport)
- She is Australian (Governor-General of Australia)
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for leaving Offsiders
- Current relationship status
Key voices
“[Kelli Underwood] is a radio and television sports broadcaster and the first woman to commentate AFL.”
Governor-General of Australia (official honours citation)
“Kelli Underwood has been recognised with an Order of Australia Medal for service to broadcast media.”
ABC Sport (public broadcaster)
“Kelli Underwood: Fox Footy, ABC Sport.”
The path Underwood carved is still the only one of its kind. For any young woman in Australia who dreams of calling an AFL grand final, the choice is clear: follow the trail she opened, or wait for another pioneer to write a different story. Underwood’s career proves that a single breakthrough can reshape an entire sport’s sound.
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For a deeper look at her groundbreaking journey and the Order of Australia Medal she received, see Kelli Underwoods OAM and career.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kelli Underwood now?
She is currently a commentator for Fox Footy and ABC Sport, still calling AFL matches.
ABC (national public broadcaster)
Why did Kelli Underwood leave Offsiders?
She stopped hosting the ABC program Offsiders, but the precise reason has not been publicly confirmed. She remains at ABC in other roles.
Does Kelli Underwood have a partner?
Personal relationship details are not publicly available from any verified source.
What awards has Kelli Underwood won?
She received the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the 2020 Australia Day Honours.
Governor-General of Australia
Is Kelli Underwood still on Fox Footy?
Yes, she continues to commentate for Fox Footy.
Instagram (personal profile)
What sports does Kelli Underwood commentate?
Australian rules football (AFL and AFLW), netball, and tennis.
ABC (national public broadcaster)
Did Kelli Underwood go to Princeton University?
Yes, she attended Princeton University in the United States.
Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)
Editor’s note: This article was prepared using publicly available sources including official government records, ABC content, and Wikipedia. Personal details not found in those sources have been marked as unclear.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.