Gerard Whateley
Early Career in Journalism
Gerard Whateley began his media career at the Herald Sun newspaper, where he spent six years building experience across police rounds, courts, and state politics. During this time, he also contributed research to the Herald Sun hardback book Our Home Front, which documented life in Australia during World War II through historical newspaper archives.
Whateley later became the paper’s movie writer before taking on the role of editor of HIT magazine, the Herald Sun’s movie and music lift-out publication. In 1998, he was appointed senior writer for the newly launched Sunday Magazine.
Throughout this period, Gerard Whateley travelled extensively across the United States and Europe, interviewing internationally recognised figures including Steven Spielberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman, Geoffrey Rush, and Cindy Crawford. He also made his first appearances on ABC Radio with a weekly segment reviewing videos on an afternoon program.
Transition Into Sports Journalism
Gerard Whateley gradually shifted his focus toward sports journalism, writing in-depth feature articles and gaining exclusive access to prominent sporting identities such as Wayne Carey, Greg Norman, Damien Oliver, and Jacques Villeneuve. He also covered AFL football for the Sunday Herald Sun.
In 1999, Whateley joined Network Ten as Senior Sport Reporter. His main responsibilities included AFL coverage and horse racing reporting. At the end of his first year, he received the Young Journalist of the Year award at the Melbourne Press Club’s Quill Awards. He was also recognised nationally as Network Ten Young Achiever of the Year.
Whateley strengthened his reputation for authority and accuracy during the 2000 Olympic Games by breaking several major stories involving drug use among competing weightlifters.
Seven News and AFL Commentary
In 2001, Gerard Whateley accepted the role of chief reporter at Seven News. During his time there, he won the Quill Award for Most Outstanding News Report after uncovering that a wanted American criminal had lied to enter Australia and participate in a Melbourne radio station’s Valentine’s Day competition.
Shortly afterwards, Network Ten brought Whateley back as a foundation member of its AFL commentary team. He later joined ABC Radio’s AFL coverage, where he quickly earned recognition as the Australian Football Media Association’s Most Outstanding Radio Caller in his first season.
At the same time, Gerard Whateley continued his successful horse-racing journalism career across print, radio, and television. His work received numerous honours, including the 2004 Cox Plate Story of the Year award for the ABC.
ABC Career and Broadcasting Success
In September 2004, Gerard Whateley joined the ABC full-time to pursue his passion for broadcasting a wide range of sports. Over the years, he has become known for his commentary and hosting work across tennis, Australian rules football, soccer, and horse racing.
Whateley was also a regular panelist on the ABC sports program Offsiders and occasionally stepped in as presenter during Barrie Cassidy’s absence.
Beyond the ABC, Gerard Whateley became widely recognised as co-host of Fox Footy’s popular weekday program AFL 360, alongside Herald Sun football journalist Mark Robinson.
Gerard Whateley Author and Columnist
In 2012, Gerard Whateley released his book Black Caviar: The Horse of a Lifetime, which focused on the legendary Australian racehorse Black Caviar. Later that same year, he returned to the Herald Sun as a columnist, further strengthening his standing as one of Australia’s leading sports journalists and broadcasters.
