Well-regarded sports journalist Nathan Templeton is departing Seven News for a new role as ‘Melbourne correspondent’ on the Sunrise program.

The role of Melbourne correspondent on Sunrise has been vacant since the surprise departure of Rebecca Maddern from Seven earlier this year.

Templeton has been with the Seven Network since 2012. Along with his new role on Sunrise he will continue to work on the broadcasts for some Seven’s biggest sporting events including The Olympics, Australian Open Tennis, Horse Racing and Swimming Championships.

The promotion of Templeton means there is now a vacancy in the sports department for Seven’s Melbourne news bulletin. This website understands the clear favourite to score the gig is Sam McClure.

McClure is considered a rising star in AFL media circles having earned the nickname ‘Scoop’ for his ability to regularly break news stories on radio station 3AW. He has also recently been making regular appearances on Seven’s Talking Footy program. A move that has generated some animosity from other members of the Seven news team including Mark Stevens and Tom Browne, whom are understood to be disappointed at being overlooked for a role on the football panel show.