Rebecca Maddern steps into top job at Channel Seven amid shakeup: 'This role is really a great fit for me'

Rebecca Maddern will take on a top job with 7News in 2025. 

The respected sports journalist has been appointed as Seven's chief sports presenter, it was confirmed on Saturday. 

The newly-created role will see Maddern present Seven Melbourne's nightly sport report. 

'I have always worked across both sport and news and in fact my very first job was in sport at Triple M when I was very, very junior,' she told the Herald Sun in a statement.

'This role is really a great fit for me. Sport gives you a chance to get out of the office a little bit more, travel, connect with sports fans, which I love, so the role is very appealing across the board. I am really looking forward to it' Maddern continued. 

'I have been fortunate to have many different roles across my career in media and I think every opportunity brings me that chance to be reinvigorated and bring all those years of experience to it.' 

Maddern is currently the co-presenter of 7News at 4pm on weekends alongside Mike Amor.

She will shift from her current role on weekends to reading sports from Monday to Friday. 

The network's new presenter, Karina Carvalho, who recently joined from ABC, is a potential candidate to take over Maddern's weekend role.

It comes in the wake of a major shake-up at Channel Seven, with claims emerging that rival networks are eyeing some of its most high-profile news and current affairs stars.

Following state political reporter Sharnelle Vella's surprising departure to ABC Radio Melbourne, rivals have 'become aware' that some of the newsroom's top talent may be up for grabs, according to the Herald Sun.

Although the publication does not specify which stars are on the radar of headhunters, it suggests that there will be 'more headhunting and poaching' in the coming week.

These claims emerge as part of the huge changes within the Seven newsroom, particularly after Tim Watson announced his retirement after three decades with the network.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment. 

This change comes after Seven's boss, Kerry Stokes, hosted several high-profile 7News stars at his multi-million dollar waterfront mansion in Darling Point.

Among the attendees were Spotlight star Liam Bartlett and 7News Sydney weekend anchors Michael Usher and Angie Asimus.

Watson announced during Monday night's bulletin that his time at 7News Melbourne is coming to an end, after nearly three decades with Channel Seven. 

Anchor Peter Mitchell kicked off the announcement by saying: 'Before you go, Tim. You've got some breaking news of your own.'

'Yes, Mitch, I am finishing up in December. I'll work almost up to Christmas. It's been almost 30 years I've been working here,' Watson replied.

'I've enjoyed every moment of it. Love working alongside you, but all good things come to an end.'

Later, Watson took to socials to expand on his brief farewell.

'I have enjoyed the best job in the world at a network that has been incredibly supportive,' Watson said.

'Surrounded by dedicated and talented people who work hard every day to produce the best news bulletins, it's been a privilege and a pleasure to be invited into people's homes to deliver the sporting news.'

The veteran broadcaster's announcement follows another shake-up at the network, with Sharnelle Vella announcing her shock defection to the ABC.

This week, the network's political reporter informed her newsroom boss that she would be departing for the national broadcaster at the end of the month, giving them only a few weeks to find her replacement.

This announcement follows her prominent appearance on Seven's flagship investigative program, Spotlight, in August, where she secured an exclusive interview with the troubled former CFMEU boss, John Setka. 

The popular reporter, who has spent seven years at the network, plans to spend the coming weeks farewelling her colleagues and friends before taking some time out over the summer and starting in her new role with ABC Radio Melbourne.

The switch will see her team up with former Western Bulldogs skipper Bob Murphy as part of an overhaul of the station's breakfast show, replacing outgoing host Samuel Jonathan McMillan, aka 'Sammy J', who announced he his departure on Wednesday.