Veteran 10News sports reporter Robb Waters has departed Channel Ten after 22 years with the broadcaster, accepting a voluntary redundancy from the network.
Waters completed his final day at Channel Ten on Friday before sharing a statement on social media to confirm his departure and express gratitude to colleagues and viewers.
"Some personal news... after 22 years today is my last day at Channel Ten. I've happily accepted a voluntary redundancy," Waters wrote in his statement.
"I'd like to thank Ch 10 for the support and all the great opportunities that came my way. A big thanks to my many work colleagues. I'm excited for what's ahead. Go Pies!" he added.
During his 22-year tenure at Network Ten, Waters established himself as a familiar television personality, working as both a sports presenter and match commentator. He became well known for his upbeat and enthusiastic presenting style while covering major events in Australian rules football and Australian cricket.
Channel Ten, operating as Network Ten, is one of Australia's primary free-to-air commercial television networks, delivering daily national news and sports bulletins under the 10News title. Melbourne is widely regarded as Australia's sporting capital, where coverage of the Australian Football League and cricket forms a central part of daily evening news broadcasts.
Waters' reference to "Go Pies!" pays homage to the Collingwood Football Club, an Australian rules football team based in Melbourne known as the Magpies or the Pies, which commands one of the largest follower bases in Australian sport.
On-air tribute from colleagues
Fellow 10News presenter Caty Price paid tribute to Waters on Friday during a special on-air broadcast segment organized to honor his departure from the network.
"It is a sad day for all of us at 10 as we bid farewell to Rob Waters after an incredible innings of 22 years," Price said during the broadcast.
"He's been a giant of Melbourne's sporting media who always cut to the heart of a story to deliver the big moments in sport to you at home. To us, he has been a great friend and colleague," she told viewers.
Price concluded the segment by describing Waters as "an absolute legend" before sharing a personal nod to his favorite football team.
"Go Pies!" Price quipped on air.
Newsroom leadership departures
The exit of Waters comes almost one month after another long-serving newsroom executive at Network Ten departed the broadcaster after more than two decades.
10 News+ executive producer Daniel Sutton accepted a voluntary redundancy earlier in the month, with management announcing his departure in an all-staff email sent on Monday, August 3.
Sutton spent over 20 years at Channel Ten holding a variety of senior editorial positions. His career with the network included serving as Ten's United States correspondent before taking the helm of 10 News+ ahead of its on-air launch last year.
In the internal email sent to staff, Channel Ten management paid tribute to Sutton, describing him as a "true leader" whose editorial judgement, calm leadership and sense of humour would be missed.
Broadcast changes and schedule expansion
Sutton's departure coincided with significant programming adjustments at Channel Ten following low ratings for its newly launched current affairs show.
Network Ten axed 10 News+ last month after just one year on air. The network removed the program from its regular weekday schedule and moved it to a single Sunday evening broadcast slot.
To adjust to the schedule change and expand local reporting, Channel Ten announced plans to alter its evening lineup starting August 10. The broadcaster will extend its flagship 5pm news bulletin from 60 minutes to 90 minutes, offering audiences increased local news coverage during the early evening timeslot.
