Channel Seven has this morning confirmed sports journalist and former TEN Big Bash presenter Melanie McLaughlin will join the Seven News team, based in Sydney’s Martin Place newsroom.

From Sunday 3 April., Mel will present sport five nights a week alongside Seven News anchor Mark Ferguson and meteorologist, David Brown. Network Director of News and Public Affairs Craig McPherson welcomed McLaughlin to the network stating:

“Mel has sport running through her blood. From Rugby League, Cricket, of course Soccer and everything in between, she lives and breathes it.

“Born and bred in Quakers Hill, Mel has covered many major sporting events on the world stage and her extensive local knowledge across all of Sydney’s sporting codes will add many extra layers to what is the best sports team in the business.”

The change is a blow for current Seven Sydney sports presenter Jim Wilson whom has been demoted from the weekday bulletin. Seven’s publicity team attempting to put the best spin on the situation describing Wilson’s new role as a “Sports Director”. Wilson will now present sport for Sydney’s Seven News on Fridays and Saturdays as well as Seven’s Afternoon News.

McPherson said: “Jim brings unrivalled knowledge in covering all things sport. His leadership and passion will drive our sports team on a daily basis and help create other sports content.”