Legendary caller Bruce McAvaney steps back from AFL commitments

Legendary broadcaster Bruce McAvaney has officially called time on his career as an AFL commentator.

McAvaney, 67, won't be in the commentary box for the 2021 AFL season with Channel 7 after deciding it was the right time to take a step back.

To date, McAvaney has amassed 1000 AFL matches and has called a total of 20 Grand Finals throughout his career, which started back in 1978.

"I felt like I got to a stage in my career where I had to reduce my workload," hold told 7 NEWS.

"I'm going to miss it enormously, I just visualise when Richmond and Carlton run out there in round one, and the ball is bounced, I'm going to climb a wall somewhere.

"I'm going to have to move on and just be a fan like everybody else."

James Brayshaw is expected to step into McAvaney's role alongside Brian Taylor.

McAvaney's announcement today means last year's Grand Final between Richmond and Geelong was officially his last as an AFL caller. It's understood he will continue his commitments with horse racing and the Olympic Games.

His announcement to step down from his AFL commitments was met with a number of tributes from fans across social media.