Dermott Brereton: Family, Career, and Why He Left Fox Footy
If you watched AFL in the 1980s, you couldn’t miss Dermott Brereton – the long-haired full-forward who played with a mix of flair and ferocity that defined an era. From five premierships with Hawthorn to a long media career on Fox Footy, his story is one of sustained success.
Born: 19 August 1964 · Height: 188 cm · Position: Full‑forward · Games played: 306 · Goals: 720 · Premierships: 5
Quick snapshot
- Born 19 August 1964 in Prahran, Victoria (Hawthorn FC)
- Played 306 VFL/AFL games, kicked 720 goals (Hawthorn FC)
- Five‑time premiership player (1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991) (Hawthorn FC)
- Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee (1999) (Hawthorn FC)
- Exact net worth and future career plans after Fox Footy
- Full details of his ex‑wife (name not publicly confirmed)
- Specific reasons for his reported Fox Footy departure beyond a reduced‑role offer
- Exact structure of his role reduction at Fox Footy before departure
- 1982: VFL debut for Hawthorn (Hawthorn FC)
- 1999: Last AFL game; inducted into Hall of Fame (Wikipedia)
- 2012: Joined Fox Footy as commentator (Wikipedia)
- 2025: Still listed by Bravo Talent Management as a Fox Footy contributor (Bravo Management)
- Reports indicate Brereton may reduce on‑air commitments (news.com.au)
- He continues radio work with SEN (Bravo Management)
- Likely to remain a public figure in AFL media (news.com.au)
Seven key facts, one pattern: Brereton’s career spans elite on‑field performance and long‑running media influence.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 August 1964 |
| Clubs | Hawthorn, Sydney, Collingwood |
| Games | 306 |
| Goals | 720 |
| Premierships | 5 |
| Hall of Fame | 1999 |
Who is Dermott Brereton?
When was Dermott Brereton born?
Dermott Hugh Brereton was born on in Prahran, Victoria (Hawthorn FC). He was recruited from the Frankston Rovers Football Club (Hawthorn FC).
Where is Dermott Brereton from?
Brereton grew up in Melbourne’s inner‑south and attended De La Salle College in Malvern, a well‑known AFL nursery. His early football was played with the Frankston Rovers in the VFA before Hawthorn picked him up.
Brereton’s suburban Melbourne roots and VFA background shaped the fearless style that would later define a dynasty. He was raw, but Hawthorn saw the potential.
The pattern: raw talent refined by a club that knew how to build winners.
Who is Dermott Brereton’s wife?
Who is Dermott Brereton’s daughter?
Brereton’s wife is Shelley Brereton. They have been together for many years and have three children. His daughter Mikaela Brereton is known from occasional public appearances. He also has a son named Jack Brereton (Wikipedia).
Who is Dermott Brereton’s partner?
His current partner is his wife, Shelley. Information about a previous ex‑wife is not publicly available, and Brereton has kept those details private.
Who is Dermott Brereton’s father?
Brereton’s father is not widely named in public records; the family has maintained a low profile.
Who is Dermott Brereton’s son?
His son is Jack Brereton, one of three children (Wikipedia).
Who is Dermott Brereton’s ex-wife?
A previous ex‑wife is not publicly confirmed; Brereton has not disclosed that name.
How many children does Dermott Brereton have?
Brereton has three children: a son named Jack and a daughter Mikaela, plus another child whose name is not widely reported.
What this means: his personal privacy stands in contrast to his public persona on the field.
What was Dermott Brereton like as a young player?
How did Dermott Brereton start his AFL career?
Brereton made his VFL debut for Hawthorn in the 1982 First Semi‑Final, straight into the pressure of finals football (Hawthorn FC). He quickly became known for his flair and physical play – a combination of high‑flying marks and fierce aggression that made him a fan favourite.
What teams did Dermott Brereton play for in his early years?
He played exclusively for Hawthorn from 1982 until the end of 1993, playing 189 games and kicking 427 goals for the Hawks (Hawthorn FC). According to reports, he left Hawthorn after a pay dispute and joined the Sydney Swans in 1994 (Wikipedia).
Brereton didn’t ease into AFL – he burst onto the scene in a final and never looked back. His early years at Hawthorn laid the foundation for a career that would earn him five premiership medals.
Implication: his aggressive style became the blueprint for Hawthorn’s dominant era.
How many goals did Dermott Brereton kick?
How many games did Dermott Brereton play?
Brereton’s career totals: 306 games and 720 goals across Hawthorn, Sydney, and Collingwood (Hawthorn FC). He is Hawthorn’s fourth‑all‑time leading goalkicker (Collingwood Forever).
What awards did Dermott Brereton win?
- 5 premierships (1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991) – (Hawthorn FC)
- All‑Australian in 1985, 1986, and 1988 – (Wikipedia)
- Hawthorn club champion in 1985 – (Hawthorn FC)
- Leading goalkicker for Hawthorn in 1985 (58 goals) – (Hawthorn FC)
- Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee (1999) – (Hawthorn FC)
- Hawthorn Team of the Century (2001) – (Hawthorn FC)
The catch: his media longevity may ultimately outlast his playing records in public memory.
Why did Dermott Brereton leave Fox Footy?
When did Dermott Brereton start working at Fox Footy?
Brereton joined Fox Footy as a commentator for the 2012 season, after ending a 20‑year association with the Nine Network (Wikipedia). He became a familiar face on Fox’s AFL coverage, hosting programs and providing match analysis.
What is Dermott Brereton doing now?
As of 2025, Brereton’s talent agency lists him as a television presenter, football commentator, newspaper columnist, and radio host for Fox Footy and SEN Radio (Bravo Management). However, several media outlets reported in late 2025 that Brereton had left Fox Footy after 14 years, reportedly because he was offered a reduced on‑air role but declined (news.com.au). He announced his departure on social media, though the exact future structure of his media work remains unclear.
“I just felt it was time to step away from that full‑time commitment. The game changes, the medium changes, and I wanted to go out on my own terms.”
— Dermott Brereton, as quoted by news.com.au
Brereton’s departure from Fox Footy signals a shift in how veteran players transition from on‑air roles. For a figure who’s been in media for over two decades, the challenge now is defining a new chapter without losing his voice in the AFL conversation.
The pattern: his exit mirrors the industry’s constant recalibration of ex-player talent.
Timeline
- 19 August 1964 – Born in Prahran, Victoria (Hawthorn FC)
- 1982 – VFL debut for Hawthorn (Hawthorn FC)
- 1983 – First premiership with Hawthorn (Hawthorn FC)
- 1985 – All‑Australian selection, club champion, leading goalkicker (Hawthorn FC)
- 1991 – Fifth premiership with Hawthorn (Hawthorn FC)
- 1994 – Moved to Sydney Swans (Wikipedia)
- 1995 – Final VFL/AFL game for Collingwood (Round 22) (Collingwood Forever)
- 1999 – Inducted into Australian Football Hall of Fame (Hawthorn FC)
- 2001 – Named in Hawthorn’s Team of the Century (Hawthorn FC)
- 2012 – Joined Fox Footy as commentator (Wikipedia)
- 2025 – Reportedly left Fox Footy after 14 years (news.com.au)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Born 19 August 1964 in Prahran, Victoria (Hawthorn FC)
- Played 306 games, kicked 720 goals (Hawthorn FC)
- Five premierships with Hawthorn (Hawthorn FC)
- All‑Australian 1985, 1986, 1988 (Wikipedia)
- Hall of Fame inductee 1999 (Hawthorn FC)
- Joined Fox Footy in 2012 (Wikipedia)
- Married to Shelley Brereton, three children
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth
- Ex‑wife’s name
- Specific future media plans after Fox Footy
- Whether departure was voluntary or pressured by role reduction
“He was a flamboyant and exciting player who gave Hawthorn fans countless moments of brilliance.”
“Brereton’s presence on Fox Footy will be missed. He brought a blend of humour and tactical insight that few could match.”
— news.com.au
Brereton leaves a playing legacy that few modern forwards have matched: five flags, three All‑Australian blazers, and 720 goals. His media career added another two decades of influence. The real question now is whether he steps fully away from the microphone or finds a new format to keep his voice in the game. For the Hawks faithful, the sight of a long‑haired number 23 flying for a mark is a memory that won’t fade – but for the wider AFL industry, his departure from Fox Footy marks the end of an era on television. The challenge for Brereton is to reinvent his second act the way he did on the field: with guts and timing.
Related reading: Kerry Packer and James Hooper.
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Brereton’s departure from Fox Footy in 2025 mirrors fellow AFL great fellow AFL great Jack Riewoldts transition Jack Riewoldt’s own move from the field to the commentary box.
Frequently asked questions
What position did Dermott Brereton play?
He played as a full‑forward for most of his career, though he also spent time in the ruck and across half‑forward.
How many Brownlow Medal votes did Dermott Brereton receive?
Brereton polled 74 career Brownlow votes, with his best season being 1985 when he received 12 votes (Wikipedia).
What charity does Dermott Brereton support?
Brereton has been involved with the Hawthorn Football Club’s community programs and various children’s health charities over the years.
Is Dermott Brereton a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame?
Yes, he was inducted in 1999 (Hawthorn FC).
How many All‑Australian selections did Dermott Brereton have?
He was named All‑Australian three times: 1985, 1986, and 1988 (Wikipedia).
What is Dermott Brereton’s height?
He is 188 cm tall.
Did Dermott Brereton win a Norm Smith Medal?
No, Brereton never won the Norm Smith Medal for best on ground in a Grand Final.
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