The Sunday Footy Show (AFL)
The AFL Sunday Footy Show is an Australian rules football program aired on the Nine Network on Sunday mornings at 10am to 12pm hosted by Tony Jones with a panel consisting of Damian Barrett, Nathan Brown, Matthew Lloyd, Kane Cornes, Billy Brownless and Sam Newman.
| The AFL Sunday Footy Show | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sport |
| Presented by | Tony Jones |
| Starring | Damian Barrett Nathan Brown Billy Brownless Matthew Lloyd Kane Cornes Sam Newman |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 28 |
| No. of episodes | 600+ |
| Production | |
| Production location(s) | Docklands, Victoria |
| Running time | 120 minutes (including commercials) |
| Release | |
| Original network | Nine Network |
| Picture format | 576i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV) |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | 28 March 1993 – present |
| External links | |
| Website | |
History and synopsis
Footy On 9 was the original Footy Show and, following its success in 1993, it was decided to present a special Grand Final edition from the Rod Laver Arena. The success of this special meant that the Thursday night show was to be installed as a permanent fixture in the Nine schedule. The show discusses the weekend's matches so far, showing scores and highlights and interviews players from the sides that have played that round. Before the Nine Network obtained the TV rights to AFL matches, it was a lighter look at the AFL with a panel featuring the likes of Max Walker, Sam Newman, Ted Whitten and Lou Richards. It has had numerous formats over the years, but is currently back to a traditional panel feel.
Melbourne sports presenter Tony Jones formerly hosted the Sunday version from 2006 until the end of the 2008 season when he was replaced by James Brayshaw. Mark Bickley and Danny Frawley also left the show at the end of the 2008 season to take up roles in the AFL, being replaced by the recently retired Crawford and Nathan Thompson. In 2010, Brian Taylor and Peter Larkins left the show to make room for Barrett and Brown. In November 2011, Nine announced that Brayshaw would be stepping down as host due to having many commitments commentating footy games, Olympic coverage and Triple M Melbourne's Rush Hour, Simon O'Donnell was announced as his replacement. However, on 28 November 2012, Nine announced that O'Donnell left the network and Craig Hutchison was announced as his replacement for 2013.
Lou Richards was part of the Footy on 9 until the end of 2008, when he left due to illness. However, they continue to pay tribute with "Lou's Handball", a segment where players from opposing teams are pitted against each other in a handball target practice, and "Lou's Showcase", which is a showcase of prizes given to special guests.
There was controversy on the Sunday edition of the Footy on 9 on 12 August 2007, when former North Melbourne Football Club captain Wayne Carey responded to criticisms from Nathan Thompson by mocking Thompson's well-publicised bout with depression. In addition, on returning from a commercial break, he was heard to make references to "necking himself", to the apparent delight of other members of the Footy on 9 panel. Carey and the Nine Network were quick to issue an apology over the incident, although no mention was officially made of the "necking himself" comment.
In 2009, Brian Taylor made rare appearances, due to his commentary work on Fox Sports, with a guest AFL panelist taking his spot when Taylor was not present.
In December 2016, it was announced that Tony Jones would return to hosting the show replacing Hutchison, who moved to the Thursday night show following the departure of James Brayshaw. Luke Ball also left the show to take on the role of National Umpiring Director at the AFL on a permanent basis, he was replaced by Kane Cornes.
In 2019, it was announced that Sam Newman will be returning to Footy on 9.