The Warrnambool-based 3WAY-FM is calling for expressions of interest from people interested in all aspects of the station’s football broadcasts to see if it can assemble a team to extend its calls into a 16th season.

The retirement of stalwarts Darryl Agnew and Gerard Auld from the commentary box after last September’s grand final has sparked the search for new blood.

Station secretary John MacInnes said advertisements looking for volunteers to fill a variety of roles would be published this weekend.

He said the station needed callers, special comments personnel, panel operators and someone to seek and produce sponsorship messages associated with the coverage.

He said Agnew had filled a number of roles but the station didn’t expect newcomers to take on as much.

“We are going to dip our toe into the water and see who responds and away we go,” he said.

MacInnes said the station would provide training to the volunteers.

“Some people might not be really interested in footy commentary but they might be interested in the off-air side of things. It could get them a foot in the door to radio,” he said.

MacInnes said 3-WAY FM wanted to continue the broadcasts.

“It would be sad for local footy (if broadcasts ended). It’s been good for the game and good for us,” he said.

MacInnes said the broadcasts, which started in 2000, had a good following and were well received by supporters.

The station has had a number of commentators in the 15 years it has covered Hampden league matches, including Tony Francis, John Parkinson, Paul Henriksen, Don Steel and Drew Semmens, but Auld and Agnew had been the constant voices in the past decade.

Expressions of interest close on February 20. For more information, phone 0419 130 582.

grbest@fairfaxmedia.com.au