First, it was ARN, extending Christian O’Connell’s Melbourne breakfast show into Sydney via GOLD, a clear signal that networking proven talent across markets was back on the table.
Then Nova 96.9 confirmed what many in the market had anticipated, moving Ricki-Lee and Tim from Drive into Breakfast and formalising a reshuffle that had been building for months.
With two major plays already executed in Sydney’s most commercially important timeslot, the question now is whether SCA could follow.
That speculation isn’t new.
When Luisa Dal Din and Jack Archdale stepped into Triple M’s national early Drive slot in May 2025, industry chatter quickly turned to their long-term trajectory. The duo, who built a strong following through their podcast We Mean Well and social content, were viewed by some as future breakfast contenders.
Following Survey 5 last year, Mediaweek put that question directly to SCA’s Head of Broadcast Content – Audio, Matthew O’Reilly.
At the time, he urged patience.
“We need to give them more than two months – for their fairness and for ours as well. That said, I think the show sounds great. It provides a point of difference, and no doubt there’s a big future here for them. I just don’t think the time’s right now,” he said.
He also pointed to tangible growth in the slot.
Matthew O’Reilly
“National figures are hard to move because they’re averaged across five markets, but they’ve gone from an 8.6 to a 10.4 in the 2-4pm slot,” O’Reilly said.
Now, Lu & Jarch have addressed the Breakfast speculation themselves.
Appearing on the Behind the Mic with Mike E podcast, hosted by Michael Etheridge, the pair were asked directly whether they would consider the shift.
Archdale said: “It’s a tremendous compliment.”
Dal Din added: “I mean, certainly, we wouldn’t say no to anything, but also I think people forget that our audience is nationwide.”
When asked whether that would require a national breakfast format, Dal Din said: “I think if radio stations are listening, maybe start a national one.”
Etheridge responded: “So we’d need to do a national breakfast?”
Dal Din replied: “I think if radio stations are listening, maybe start a national one.”
Etheridge said: “That would make sense.”
Archdale added: “We’re really loving where we are and what we’re doing.”
Dal Din concluded: “See what happens.”
Lu & Jarch with Mike E. Source: Instagram
External view: patience over promotion
Not everyone in the industry expects an imminent move.
Game Changers podcast co-host Craig Bruce said the duo’s current position may be strategically stronger than a jump into breakfast.
“I don’t think Lu and Jarch will move into breakfast whilst they have their podcast. At the moment, they have the best of both worlds, and I just can’t imagine they’d be in a rush to do breakfast on either brand.
“They’re young with plenty of time on their hands.”
Bruce also suggested SCA is unlikely to make a near-term adjustment to its Sydney line-up.
“Matt O’Reilly won’t rush the next 2Day move, if there is one, don’t expect to see any changes til the back end of the year, if at all.”
A growing national profile
Lu & Jarch were added to Triple M’s national afternoon line-up in May 2025, taking over the 2pm-4pm early Drive slot.
Their appointment followed the growth of their podcast, We Mean Well, and strong engagement across social platforms.
Following Survey 5 last year, SCA’s Head of Broadcast Content – Audio Matthew O’Reilly told Mediaweek the duo had delivered measurable gains.
“National figures are hard to move because they’re averaged across five markets, but they’ve gone from an 8.6 to a 10.4 in the 2-4pm slot,” O’Reilly said.
He also addressed speculation about breakfast at the time.
“We need to give them more than two months – for their fairness and for ours as well. That said, I think the show sounds great. It provides a point of difference, and no doubt there’s a big future here for them. I just don’t think the time’s right now,” he said.
Pressure points in Sydney
2DayFM’s Nath & Emma recorded a 2.9% share in the most recent survey. Across town, Triple M’s Beau, Cat and Woodsy delivered a 4% share.
O’Reilly has previously urged patience on the Sydney rebuild.
“I think it is very early, like I would say minimum 18 months before you can have a definitive read on how things are going. So yeah, very much consider it early days.”
On 2DayFM’s refreshed music strategy, he added: “It’s the start of a rebuild.”
With Nova elevating Ricki-Lee and Tim, and ARN expanding Christian O’Connell’s footprint into Sydney, the market structure has already shifted.
For now, Triple M appears content to let the show build.
But as Sydney breakfast restructures around reshuffles, networking and patience plays, the idea of a national breakfast product anchored by a growing, multi-platform duo no longer feels theoretical.
The chairs are moving.
And in Sydney breakfast radio, when one domino falls, the rest rarely stand still.