There was a time when The Footy Show was one of the most popular TV shows, drawing in viewers from all around the country with their light-hearted view on the footy world.
But the last few years have been tough. Garry Lyon’s messy exit last year removed the veil of humour and showed us another side of the footy world.
And now, with James Brayshaw being dumped from the show, it looks as though the show might be over.
Channel Nine has announced Craig Hutchison as Brayshaw’s replacement, which has already been met with severe criticism on social media. ‘Hutchy’ is not known for his humour, and is probably more at place on a show like Footy Classified, where his journalistic instincts are more relevant.
After watching the show on and off over the last few years I think that I’ll miss the banter between the guys, as well as their ability to delve into serious topics from time to time.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Channel Nine spends a lot of time and money promoting the new lineup and trying to convince us all that the show will be just as good.
But we all know that it started going downhill a couple of years ago and I don’t imagine too many AFL stars going out of their way to spend more time with Hutchison.
Will you be watching when the new season kicks off next year?
The real SC
Roar Rookie
Agreed. The AFL Footy Show has been dying constantly since the start of 2009 when Trevor Marmalade left the show. I found that this show has started to get really boring especially with a lot of segments happening around the Thursday show. Garry Lyon and Billy Brownless both had a lot of dramas in 2016. James Brayshaw used to be good but I found him really biased when he focused on his own agenda towards North Melbourne team. Dave Hughes is clueless and his humour spray towards the players were so disgusting. Rebecca Maddern looked very uncomfortable on the show and stumbled a lot. Sam Newman, I can't stand him as he was too serious towards women and gets deranged all the time. NRL Footy Show - The only thing that came into mind was that the show has been thrashed by AFL Footy Show. Erin Molan, I think she is a lovely girl but gets really confused a lot especially when having to front Fatty and Beau. Beau Ryan gets really clueless and Fatty loses the plot during every show. I think that these two shows will need to be binned asap.
Jrod
Guest
Likewise his Saturday radio show with Dr Turf and Liam Pickering. It's hilarious. I'll think he'll positively St surprise most here.
bobburra
Guest
"Dead man walking" That's all folks.
Don Freo
Guest
We're not hearing the Coodabeens in the West any more. Geez I miss them.
Don Freo
Guest
The funny thing is, Hutchy's CrocMedia company churns out great stuff. Sportsday WA with Scott Cummings and Cam Luke is the funniest footy show around.
Don Freo
Guest
Brayshaw made the decision to leave. He wasn't pushed. He will continue to call on radio and more games for Fox. I'd also expect 7 to make an announcement soon. Nine is trying to save face if they are suggesting their "replacement" of Brayshaw was initiated by them.
Don Freo
Guest
I'm with you on Marngrook. Over in the West, Karl Langdon is a radio talent who keeps saying no to Eastern States talent scouts. He pairs up on 6PR with Brad Hardie, who irritates me. Langdon is a very good caller of the game too. On a Wednesday, during the season, Luke McPharlin teams up with Langdon. That night is excellent footy talk. McPharlin must surely rank as one of the sharpest minds to have ever played at the elite level.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
It won't die. As much as we'd like it to. There are hundreds of thousands of bogans out there who still think it's grouse. It's sad.
Tricky
Guest
Hutchy funny?! Sarcasm right?
Tricky
Guest
Yep Hutchy will kill it - not even a good journo and there's a fair bet his footy knowledge would not match that of the man on the street
Batman
Guest
The timeslot is the main reason people watch. I wish Channel 7 put up a direct competing show that actually talked about the game. The Footy Show is only about the politics and used to promote and feed the ego's of big headed hanger-on like Sam
Joanna
Roar Rookie
I think a little more journalistic instinct is welcome, I stopped watching the over-scripted un-funny nonsense in 2014, but might switch back on. The Footy Show at it's best was a good mix of football journalism and off the cuff footy-related humour. If it dies, it dies - but I think this is a good move.
Bill C
Guest
Is what'shisname old mate Marmalade still at the bar? It's been a while since I tuned in.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I used to watch the show religiously but stopped enjoying it when Trevor Marmalade was axed. Sam Newman, Billy, Crawford and Dane Swan are the only ones nowadays that regularly bring humour to the show. Eddie was a brilliant host and Lyon / Brayshaw / Maddern never came close to replacing what he brought to the show. Hutchy is annoying and a flog, but he is improving slowly. I barely watch it now and will watch it even less now that Hutchy is on.
Paul Madden
Guest
I reckon Craig Hutchison will be very funny. He could be like Leslie Nielsen where it becomes very hard to take him seriously. I'm hoping it works.
Stewie
Guest
I miss Before the Game, now that was good lighthearted humour and good footy talk. The Footy Show will continue to be utter trash while Sam Newman gets airtime. These days I stick with ABC Radio and the Coodabeens.
Dympna
Guest
as long as Brayshaw doesnt end up on Fox footy...which sadly I heard he is coming to!! apart from the 360 show with Gerard and Robbo which works ,I enjoy their interaction and various aspects of the issues mighten agree but its always informative in the end!! everywhere elese on Fox Footy we have to put up with past players turning into expert commentators which they are not! Gerard Healy is an exception thoughtful words but the others are ego based aka Dermott,Jason, and please why do we have to put up with it...as for the Footy show on nine it lost its relevance and dignity/respect years ago the format is for those still living in the 60s or pubescent schoolboys...it should have got rid of Newman long time ago just wish commentators would allow the pictures to tell the story and not over analyse 'share' what they would do, if you can't get to the game all you want to do is watch it without some inane commentary...when I can I listen to my ABC grandstand (sadly they are suffering from ex player disease2 at times)but I'm in Canberra and apparently its not good enough to have rugby league game on one station, its all the stations we access on w/ends!!...unless its a swannies/gws game we Canberra and surrounds are treated with contempt by all media outlets...disregarding our loyalty and membership of AFL clubs and no on the internet is pointless as with the 20 second delay between commentary and vision don't get me started!!!
Simoc
Guest
Hutchison is a predictable and boring writer. They could shorten the show to 10 minutes of street talk, which was funny once upon a time, particularly when the Geelong ruckman was mistaken for a council worker.
Darren
Guest
Barrett lost me back in 2012 when, on Triple M, he was unavailable to interview Mark Neeld, so Danny Frawley took his place. When Barrett was asked how Frawley went, he suggested he should have asked Neeld about the Collingwood drama happening at that time. When Frawley replied that he didn't ask about Collingwood because he's the Melbourne coach, Barrett's response was basically, ...'yeah but, he used to be there so maybe he has something to say about it...." to which Frawley replied "but we don't care what he has to say about a club he's not at..." Barrett was dumbstruck that Frawley didn't bother. At that point I remember thinking "this guy is just another hack without an original thought or decent question".
Batman
Guest
Stop watching it years ago because its humour is base, sexist and unpleasant putdowns. The only way they can save the show is getting rid of Sam.