‘The voice of Australian football’: Simon Hill signs off after 22 iconic years

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Image Credit: A-Leagues website

Simon Hill, the veteran commentator who has narrated so many of Australian football’s greatest moments, signed off after 22 years of passionate service to the game Down Under.

His call at AAMI Park on Saturday marked his 16th and final A-League Grand Final, bringing to a close a remarkable broadcasting career in Australia.

Hill is set to return to the UK, ending a chapter that began unexpectedly back in 2002 when, following a trip to the FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan, he made a detour to Australia which ended up being a decision that would change his life.

Beginning his Australian career at SBS, Hill initially focused on European football coverage. But with the launch of the A-League in 2005, he became immersed in the domestic game just as it was finding its feet. His voice would go on to define the league’s rise, from its debut season right through to its most recent campaign.

From SBS to a long stint at Fox Sports, and more recently on Network 10, Hill has been a constant presence for fans. Whether it was thrilling Grand Finals, Socceroos World Cup qualifiers, or unforgettable moments of individual brilliance, his calls added a layer of drama and emotion to the sport that endeared him to generations of Australian football supporters.

The 2025 Grand Final being a gripping all-Melbourne affair, was a fitting farewell for one of Australian football’s landmark voices.

Simon Hill spoke in an interview with the A-Leagues about his long journey and how much Australia meant to him.

“The A-League has been a huge part of my life for the best part of 20 years. I’ll miss the competition, as frustrating as it is from time to time, but I’ll miss mostly the people involved in it. Being on the circuit and seeing people at grounds, and my colleagues at Network 10 as well, who’ve been brilliant to work with,” Hill said in a chat with A-Leagues.

“As I have pointed out to people, I’m not retiring, I’m not dying. I’m just moving. I’ve got things I’m looking forward to when I get back to the UK, not just with regards to football. I want to stay involved in the game, hoping to continue my commentary career. So it’s the end of a chapter, but hopefully not the end of the book just yet.”

Simon Hill has been more than just a commentator; he’s also been the leading voice of Australian football.

Amongst the divided mainstream media coverage and many controversies in the local game, Simon Hill has been a constant online and in the booth.

For over two decades, his knowledge, passion, and unwavering dedication have helped legitimise and elevate the game across the country.

Whether calling Socceroos milestones, A-League thrillers, or World Cup qualifiers, Hill brought a sense of professionalism that shaped how the sport was understood and appreciated by fans.

He played a pivotal role in growing the game’s profile, often advocating for its progress through thoughtful analysis and fearless commentary.

In many ways, Hill gave Australian football a voice when it needed it most and his impact will be felt long after his final sign-off.

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Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

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Image credit: Melbourne Victory

The Melbourne-based anf family-owned business will join the Victory family, uniting two institutions which represent the city’s culture and identity.

A partnership with local roots

As the newest partner of Melbourne Victory, Roasting Warehouse joins forces with a vital part of the city’s sporting landscape.

The club’s Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the partnership bears so much value to both parties.

“We are excited to collaborate with Roasting Warehouse, a community-oriented destination for high-quality coffee, proud of its foundations in Melbourne,” said Carnegie via official media release.

“Football and coffee sit at the epicentre of Melbourne’s culture. The two go hand-in-hand, consistently at the centre of the conversation that stirs Melburnians, which is no different to the conversation sport and Melbourne Victory stir in the State.”

Indeed, this is a partnership which combines the identity, passions and culture of an entire city, therefore giving it the foundations required for long-term, mutual success.

Representing the best of Melbourne

Both Victory and Roasting Warehouse are hugely successful in their respective industries. They are institutions with community-oriented philosphies, who pride themselves on craft and quality.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Melbourne Victory, a club that represents the heart, passion, and ambition of Melbourne,” revealed Roasting Warehouse Head of Brand, Alexander Paraskevopoulos.

“As a Melbourne-founded, family-run business, supporting a team that means so much to the local community feels very natural for us.”

Furthermore, through their high-quality blends, Roasting Warehouse will look to prepare Victory’s players and staff for high performances on the pitch as the seasons nears completion.

But this is about far more than just fueling athletes.

This is a partnership which embodies and unites two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths and cultural markers – a connection forged from the city’s very own DNA.

 

For more information about Roasting Warehouse, click here.

Marie-Louise Eta makes history as new Union Berlin head coach

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Image credit: FC Union Berlin

In an historic appointment, Eta will take over as head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.

History in the making

Previously the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history with Union Berlin, Eta will now take the reigns of the men’s first team on an interim basis.

Currently, the club sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga table, but with only two wins so far in 2026, relegation appears an all-too-real prospect, and one which the club is desperate to avoid.

“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” said Eta via official media release.

‘I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations.”

Eta will begin as Union’s new head coach with immediate effect, and will be in the dugout for the club’s matchup against Wolfsburg this weekend.

 

A step into an equal future

Eta’s appointment signals a major step towards a more level playing field in the football landscape.

Furthermore, Eta joins other coaches including Sabrinna Wittmann, Hannah Dingley and Corinne Diacre who, in recent years, have blazed a trail for female coaches to step into the men’s game.

Wittmann currently manages FC Ingolstadt in Germany’s third division, and was the first female head coach in Germany’s top three divisions.

In 2023, Dingley became caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers, and thus the first woman to lead a men’s professional team in England.

Diacre, now head coach of France’s women’s national team, managed Ligue 2’s Clerment Foot between 2014 and 2017.

 

Final thoughts

The impact therefore, is that Eta’s appointment will show future generations of aspiring female coaches that men’s football is an equally viable and possible pathway as the women’s game.

The time is now to level the playing field.

And while it may be a short-term role, its effect on attitudes towards equality and fair opportunities in the game will hopefully resonate long after the season ends.

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