The 2024 AFL Finals series received a significant boost in the commentary when the announcement was made that Channel 7 legend Bruce McAvaney was returning for the three biggest games of the season, starting with tonight's preliminary final between Sydney and Port Adelaide.
Speaking with Kane Cornes and David King on SEN ahead of his trip to the SCG, McAvaney discussed his absence from calling the action and the decision-making behind his return, having last called Richmond's dynastic 2020 premiership, when Dustin Martin claimed his third Norm Smith medal.
"It's been a long wait, it's four years," McAvaney said on Fireball Friday.
"I've missed footy, you always do, it's so important to all of us. But it's very different I've noticed watching."
On his return, McAvaney opened up on his though-process heading into the penultimate weekend, and past experiences he's drawing on to get back in the groove of AFL commentary.
"It's just circumstantial in a way, the timing just felt right," he said.
"I'm not calling so it's a different role... I'm not sure what will happen going forward."
"The game can move very quickly and if you're not part of it, you've got a lot of catching up to do."
"I didn't call for five years during my footy calling time when (channels) Ten and Nine had the rights. When I came back, the thing I realised... when the game stopped, how do you fill in the narrative?
"There's a little bit of that with me... I'm nervous, I'm feeling some trepidation.
"But I'm going to go down to the SCG tonight with an attitude of 'how lucky am I' and I'm going to enjoy it."
McAvaney's made the call to leave the calling role near the height on the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of time which challenged many, but hit particularly close to home for the 67-year-old, forcing him into a devastating sacrifice.
"I'm 71, so I was 67 when I finished up... I was going through some pretty strong health challenges at that point. Covid was a very difficult year for all Australians, the whole world, and it was for me as well," he shared.
"I just felt I'd hit a brick wall.
"Footy was a big thing to give up, but it also consumes you.
"I think it was the right thing to do."
Now looking ahead, he could not be returning for a more thrilling occasion, with one the greatest AFL seasons in history down to it's final two weeks, but still positioned as unpredictably as ever.
Without a whole lot of confidence, McAvaney declared his pick for the flag, noting himself that the tip was made following one game of evidence, Thursday night's qualifying final two weeks ago.
"These four coaches have got a lot in common... all of them in a way have had sustained success, and for Hinkley in particular, if he were to get to a Grand Final, then he feels like he's got to nearly the Everest," McAvanaey said.
"There's not one team you can trust all year... but I reckon the best footy I've seen this year was Geelong two weeks ago."
Bruce McAvaney returns to the TV screen tonight for the riveting Sydney vs Port Adelaide preliminary final at the SCG, kicking off at 7:40pm.