Port Adelaide spill on Kochie's next move after quitting as co-host of ...

Port Adelaide are looking forward to David Koch featuring more prominently at the AFL club after the Sunrise host announced his resignation from Channel 7’s flagship breakfast show on Monday morning.

The club president has been the face of Sunrise for 21 years while he has presided over the Power for 11 years.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: David Koch shocks fans with resignation from Sunrise.

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But he also has business interests away from Sunrise, and would like to commit more time to Port Adelaide.

The club paid tribute to the broadcasting legend and hinted at what’s next for the 67-year-old South Australian, who has long been based in Sydney.

“Congratulations to Kochie for a remarkable 21-year career as Sunrise co-host,” the club wrote.

“20 consecutive years as the number one breakfast show - now that’s quite the feat!

“Enjoy a well-deserved sleep-in, time with the family, and of course, more time at the footy!”

Kochie will remain as president of the club and has announced no plans to move on, with a big decision on coach Ken Hinkley’s future due in August.

David Koch will step down as co-host of Sunrise. Credit: Getty

Koch has been a popular figure at Port Adelaide after staunchly defending the club’s right to wear their famous prison bars in the AFL, taking the fight to former Collingwood heavyweight Eddie McGuire.

He has also regularly backed in Hinkley amid interest from rival clubs and the stability has played a crucial role in landing players like former No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis.

Koch previously helped organise Port Adelaide’s China expansion, a venture put on hold and potentially killed off by COVID-19, and he was a vocal presence in South Australia’s bid to lock in Gather Round.

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The much-loved presenter announced live on air that he would be stepping away as host of Sunrise. Only one other presenter had known his secret.

Koch stunned colleagues, including presenters Edwina Bartholomew, Mark Beretta and Sam Mac, when he announced he was leaving the hit Channel 7 show on Monday.

“It was very emotional,” Kochie tells 7Life of his decision to step down.

However, co-host Natalie Barr knew of his plan ahead of time.

“Nat was really the only one that knew beforehand. I didn’t want to make it a big thing,” Kochie says.

Having been in the industry for decades, he did not want a “drawn out” farewell, instead opting for a simple piece to camera, before carrying on with the show.

Sunrise’s David Koch on set. Credit: Sunrise

“This is all been planned since the end of last year, but I didn’t want that typical sort of television drawn out thing,” he says.

“So it’s two weeks, finishing up Friday next week.”

Kochie’s replacement will be announced on Monday, June 5.

About his future with Channel 7, Kochie says he will “still connect with the network and may turn up at the odd time being a finance commentator, which is I come from what I’ve always loved doing”.

“It was a massive decision but it just feels right,” he says, detailing the reasoning behind his exit.

David Koch and Natalie Barr. Credit: SunriseTime to ‘refocus’

“It’s 21 years, I want to work business hours. We’ve always had a family business so I want to devote more time to it along with Aus Biz,” he says of his online business platform.

“It’s just right for me to refocus.

“It was a mistake that I got the job all those years ago - I was a fill-in for three months - but it has turned out to be one of the absolute highlights of my life, I’m really fortunate,” the host jokes.

Kochie began the show in 2002 alongside former co-host Melissa Doyle. He went on to work alongside Samantha Armytage and later Natalie Barr.

Kochie says that he exits the show “with a lot of pride” and “gratitude”.

David Koch and former host Melissa Doyle. Credit: Sunrise

“At my age, you start going, ‘Right, I need some flexibility in my life’.

“Sunrise, I love it dearly. I have loved every single minute. It has been the best job in the world. It’s not just a job - it’s a lifestyle.”

The father-of-four says that the job “runs your life”.

“You’ve got to be so disciplined that you got to go to bed early, you’re always on call.”

Kochie and his wife Libby now wish to “call the shots” on what they want to do - and have a bucket list to tick off.

Top of the priority list include trips to both Spain and Japan.

David Koch and Libby Koch. Credit: Don Arnold/WireImage

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