MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Garry Lyon speaks during the Channel Nine AFL Grand Final Footy Show at Rod Laver Arena September 22, 2005 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Several big names in the footy media are on the move, including Garry Lyon, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall.

Lyon has left Channel 9 to take on a new role at Fox Footy, with the lure of returning  to commentary reportedly swaying his decision.

Lyon had been with the network for over two decades on programs like the AFL Footy Show and Footy Classified, rising to become one of the top football media personalities.

A Channel 9 spokeswoman said the network wished Lyon well for the next stage of his career.

"We've been great supporters of Garry for more than 20 years."

"He's a great talent and we wish him all the very best for the next chapter of his career."

Lyon said he was excited by the challenge of his new role at Fox Footy.

"I can't wait to kick-off the 2018 season with my new Fox Footy teammates," he said.

"I'm looking forward to debating all of the latest footy news with Derm [Brereton] and Jase [Dunstall] and getting a first-hand look at the famous Fox Footy Lab."

Lyon will join St Kilda champion and retiree Nick Riewoldt as Fox Footy's prized new recruits for 2018.

Meanwhile, Caroline Wilson has stepped down as the chief football reporter at The Age with Fox Footy's Jake Niall to take over in the new year.

Wilson will maintain her presence at the publication, however, staying on as a weekly columnist and podcast panelist.

"It's been a great privilege to have spent the past two decades covering the greatest sport in the world at one of the world's best newspapers," Wilson said.

"Although this is a melancholy day for me I'm so happy to be continuing as a contributor to The Age. Writing a weekly column during the football season and being involved with the podcast is the ideal transition for me to do other things and I'm so proud to be handing over the baton to my great friend and long-time colleague Jake Niall.

"Jake was the perfect successor and I know The Age will continue to set the agenda with its unique perspective and independent coverage of Australian Rules football."

Niall will rejoin the publication, having left in 2016 to join Fox Footy.

The Age editor Alex Lavelle thanked Wilson for her service and said he was looking forward to working with Niall again.

"Caro is undoubtedly one of the top reporters in Australia," Lavelle said.

"She would excel in any area of journalism, anywhere in the world. Fortunately for us, and our readers, she has been The Age's chief football writer for close to two decades. Her work ethic, energy and professionalism has never wavered. I look forward to continue working with her at The Age, and welcome Jake Niall back to be our chief football writer.

"Jake will bring his own flair, passion and expertise to the role," he said.

Wilson's announcement comes as she looks to reduce her workload after almost two decades in the role.

She steps down as one of the most highly decorated football media personalities having won multiple Walkley awards and a Quill award for her coverage of the Essendon supplements scandal, in addition to multiple awards from other organisations.