‘Get emotional': Loved footy figure Abbey Holmes says classy goodbye
The much loved former AFLW player was given a classy send-off by colleagues, including Dale Thomas and Matthew Richardson, following Collingwood's big win over Hawthorn on Friday night at the MCG.
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Holmes has continued to fulfil her role with Seven this season despite appearing to be ready to pop for several weeks now.
Holmes said last week she and husband Keegan Brooksby are due to celebrate the arrival of their first child, a boy, in June.
The 34-year-old was clearly caught by surprise when Friday night's broadcast from the MCG ended with the Channel 7 commentary team gifting her an extravagant white and purple floral arrangement — and their full support as she tackles motherhood for the first time.
You can watch the sweet farewell in the video player above.
Collingwood great Thomas said Holmes will be 'an incredible mother'.
'Unfortunately for us, this is your last night Friday night footy and we have had to request an army to come in and take care of what you've done,' Thomas said from the desk inside the Collingwood dressing room.
'On behalf of the Friday night footy team, the entirety of Channel 7 and everybody around football, we wish you all the very best.
'You're going to make the most amazing mother and we can't wait to see your little baby for you and Keegs.
'It's incredible that you are still here considering.'
He went on to cheekily say: 'We cannot wait to see you and your next journey through Keegan and little baby Daisy Richo'.
Richmond legend Richardson delivered the flowers to Holmes with a friendly peck on the cheek.
'It's taking an army of people to replace you Abbey,' he said.
'You've done an incredible job.'
Holmes admitted she will miss the Seven crew.
'Awww guys. Thanks guys. You're going to make me get emotional,' she said.
'Thank you both. I'll miss you.'
When told by Richardson to do some relaxing, Holmes responded: 'I don't chill. I don't do chill. But we'll see what happens.
'I'm very, very excited and will be guided by this little guy.'
She was given a standing ovation from the behind-the-scenes support staff.'
Holmes shared an image of the special moment on her Instagram page on Saturday and the post was filled with comments of fans wishing her all the best.
'Love my @7afl family,' Holmes posted.
'Thank you so much for the beautiful send off.
'Going to be VERY weird watching from the couch (or a hospital bed) next week.'
It is unclear when Holmes plans to return, but her comments in an interview with The Herald Sun earlier this month suggest she may be back before her maternity leave runs out.
'I genuinely love to work and it brings me so much joy and fulfilment,' she told VWeekend.
'I love to be busy and my mentality at the moment is I'll work as far up as I can.'
She said she is hoping to be back on TV 'as quickly as I can'.
Holmes is heading into motherhood with the support of the entire football world.
Social media platforms X and Instagram have been filled her comments of followers all saying the same thing as Thomas.
One person wrote on the official Channel 7 AFL account on X: 'I love Abbey. Such a fantastic person. All the best'.
Another person posted: 'Feel like Holmes is universally respected as a host and personality, gonna be a great mum'.
One follower wrote on Holmes' Instagram page: 'I'm so glad that you've shown women that we can achieve so much even when pregnant.
'Absolute inspiration Abbey. Good luck.'
Holmes made the discovery she was pregnant after incredibly running the New York Marathon in November, with the news coming as a total surprise.
'Keegan and I have shared a very busy year, but 2025 is set to be our biggest and best yet. We could not be happier to welcome our first child into the world, later this year,' Holmes told The Herald Sun in January.
'We are so excited and grateful to be in this position, as we know how difficult it can be for so many people. We're on cloud nine and can't wait for this next chapter.'
The couple have been together since 2017 after matching on a dating app.
Brooksby popped the question in Uluru in 2020 before the pair tied the knot in 2023.
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