Will Schofield to cover for Xavier Ellis on Hit92.9 Breakfast show

Perth’s Breakfast radio market will soon have a new voice in the mix, with former West Coast Eagles player Will Schofield joining the Xavier, Juelz & Pete show on the Hit Network’s 92.9.

He will be filling in for Xavier Ellis who is taking time off to welcome his second child with wife, Emily.

Schofield debuted for the Eagles in 2007, and announced last month that he would retire at the conclusion of the 2020 season.

Ellis, too, is a former professional footballer, playing for the Hawthorn Hawks before switching to the Eagles, alongside Schofield, in 2014. His professional AFL career wrapped up in 2016 and he joined the Hit Network in early 2017.

On-air this morning, Schofield quipped that it was the right next move for him – but it might not last long.

“I retired from the AFL this year. I’ve been waiting on the bench for a spot on radio. I’m coming off the bench. And just like my AFL career, I’ll be dropped in about two weeks,” he said, calling himself “one of the most dropped players of the AFL”.

“Xav’s shoes are big ones to fill – even bigger than the grooves in his chair,” he added in a statement. “It will be short but sweet, but I’ll do my best not to damage the springs or upholstery… No guarantees though, as I too am a washed up AFL player.”

Ellis said he’s confident his temporary replacement has what it takes.

“I’m thrilled to get a former teammate in to fill my grooves for a couple of weeks,” he said. “Looking at Will’s head the last couple of seasons has been stressful. Hopefully he can sit back, relax and have some fun with Pete, Juelz and Perth while I enjoy time with my growing family,” he said.

In the most recent ratings survey, Hit had a 7.4% share in Breakfast, down from the 10.1% it boasted prior to the COVID-19 ratings pause. This put the show behind Nova’s Nathan, Nat & Shaun (14.1%), Mix 94.5’s Clairsy, Matt & Kymba (12.4%) 6PR’s Breakfast with Steve Molls and Basil Zempilas (11.2%))and 96FM’s Botica’s Bunch (10.7%).

Schofield kicks off the gig on Monday.