‘Pinch myself moment’: How Fox Footy icon led the way with rise to prestigious Australia Day honour

Fox Footy icon Kelli Underwood has opened up on her “amazing” Australia Day honour, after being recognised with an Order of Australia for Services to Broadcasting on Sunday.

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A “completely chuffed” Underwood is a sports broadcasting pioneer, with the South Australian becoming the first woman to commentate an AFL game back in 2009.

But it hasn’t been a simple rise to the top for the star sportscaster, who has endured her share of criticism along the way.

“The best way to describe it – I put my hand on the door handle before anyone thought a woman had earnt the right to walk through the door,” she told Foxfooty.com.au

“I knew at the time that door handle would be red hot. I knew what was waiting for me on the other side – but I had a fire in the belly. I deeply believed it was the right thing to do.

“I also thought if it wasn’t me, then who is going to do it?

“The fact that nearly 20 years ago I was the first woman to step inside an AFL commentary box to commentate, this (OAM) just feels like a pat on the back for being brave and resilient at the end of the day.

“I’ve always had a sense of purpose. I’ve always had these beliefs that have driven me. To be the first is a lonely spot. You’ve always got a target on your back and I knew that from the very first call I did.”

Despite her first commentating stint ending at Channel 10 after two seasons, Underwood has since found a home at Fox Footy and ABC Radio, where she is a regular.

“I think back in 2010 when after two years it ended with Channel 10, the common consensus was the audience just wasn’t ready to hear a woman’s voice (commentating AFL),” she revealed.

“Of course that felt like if it was to finish then, then I was going to make it so much harder for the women to follow me. I would set back that championing of women in the sport years. I felt like that was a moment that just lit a fire in my belly.

“It’s not an easy industry for anyone – a man or a woman.

“Through hard work and resilience, I’ve put my head down and my bum up … at the end of the day, I absolutely love my colleagues.

“I feel like I’ve got the best job in the world.”

One of those colleagues is the now retired Sandy Roberts, who claimed his own OAM just last year for his services to AFL media.

“He told me how much it meant to him, he gave me a few tips about the upcoming ceremony – he said to get a nice new dress,” Underwood laughed.

“To follow in the footsteps of Sandy Roberts, who is an absolute icon and great caller – we were lucky to have him at Fox Footy. Then Bruce McAvaney, Dennis Cometti, that’s a real pinch myself moment.

“All of that outweighs any negative criticism whatsoever.”

Underwood could only laugh as she recalled the moment she made her TV debut as a commentator, sharing the nerves she felt pre-call.

“I didn’t think any words would come out! It’s absolutely terrifying,” she said.

“It’s like you’re about to be pushed off a cliff.

“You’re filled with self doubt and wondering how in the world did you get to that position and why are you doing it? And then you do it … you have a moment where it just comes to you and it clicks. And you think you know what, with hard work and some resilience and definitely a thick skin that I can get some enjoyment out of this.

“The feeling when you’re calling and it’s a big moment is the most electrifying, addictive, adrenaline rush that you ever get.

“It’s one of the best feelings.”

Remarkably commentating wasn’t on the radar for Underwood, who grew up in a sports mad household, before a snap decision by former colleague Rex Hunt.

Underwood had started as an intern in radio in South Australia before eventually climbing her way to 3AW in Melbourne, where she worked as a match day reporter.

It was there her career took a spectacular turn.

“In 2005, near the end of the season Rex was just bored one day,” she shared.

“He turned to me and asked me to call a quarter of footy with him. I did it a couple of weeks later. Never had that seed planted in my head ever.

“Bizarrely, the iconic Rex Hunt sort of planted the seed of commentary.

“I actually saw him about a year ago, and I said why did you do this and he said: ‘I just wanted to do something different and I really believed in you’.

“Channel 10 boss then, Dave Barham, who is now the Essendon president, said: ‘I’m going to put you on the TV and give you some games to call over the next few years’. It’s been a very bumpy road – there’s been really, really hard times.

“But ever since then, I’ve been calling weekly on radio and TV until now – that’s 15 years.

“To think a young journo from Adelaide who grew up in a sports mad family becomes a national broadcaster with a number of firsts, I think I’ve shown in AFL you don’t have to have been a champion player to be successful – I guess that’s my story.”

And just how does Underwood deal with the backlash as a female in a male-dominated industry?

“I make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes. I laugh at them – I’m the first to laugh at myself. You continue on to the next call – you’re there to make it entertaining,” she said.

“My colleagues at Fox Footy have been nothing but supportive.

“I bring a different style, I bring different perspective – I’ve got a very different voice clearly.

“(Winning the OAM) it’s something you just think wow! It’s a lot of gratitude.

“I sit back a moment and think of the fact I’ve been able to contribute to Australian society and it being recognised, you feel really proud. It’s amazing.”