Coodabeen Champions
| Company type | Comedy ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting, Comedy |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Victoria, Southern New South Wales |
Key people | Andy "Young Andy" Bellairs (producer), Jeff Richardson, Ian Cover, Greg Champion, "Torch" McGee, Billy Baxter, Simon Whelan, Tony Leonard |
| Products | The Coodabeens Footy Show (radio program) |
| Website | www |
The Coodabeen Champions—commonly referred to as The Coodabeens—are a renowned Australian comedy ensemble known for their radio broadcasts on the ACE Radio Network, including Melbourne’s 1377AM 3MP, as well as various stations across regional Victoria and Southern New South Wales. Their premier program, the Coodabeens Footy Show, is broadcast from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. With over four decades of continuous presence on Melbourne radio, the team has been guided by producer Andy "Young Andy" Bellairs. On 24 October 2021, they confirmed that their 2022 season would continue airing on 3MP and the Ace Radio Network after more than 27 years with the ABC.
Coodabeens Footy Show
Beginning in 1981 on 3RRR, the program transitioned twice before establishing itself on the Ace Radio Network through 3MP and affiliated regional stations. The name was coined by musician Billy Baxter roughly six months following the show’s inception. Centered on Australian rules football, the show combines up-to-date sports coverage with comedic elements and features interviews with former players and commentators. The current lineup includes Jeff Richardson, Ian Cover, Greg Champion, "Torch" McGee", and Baxter himself. After a period away serving as a judge on the Supreme Court of Victoria, Simon Whelan returned in April 2020. Former contributor Tony Leonard also played an important role in the show's history.
Key recurring segments feature:
- Covie's Quiz: a football-themed quiz hosted by Ian Cover.
- Guru Bob: a fictional spiritual advisor who humorously dispenses philosophical guidance to AFL players and coaches, recognized as the show’s Special Adviser on Football Spirituality; several books have been published under this persona.
- Greg's Songs: Greg Champion performs parody songs themed around football, often incorporating lyrics submitted by listeners.
- Bush Footy: interviews that explore stories from regional Australian football communities.
- Torch's Footy Talkback: a satirical talkback radio segment featuring fictional callers offering witty commentary on football figures.
- Sam the Sub: introduced in 2011, this character is a fictional journalist supporting Collingwood who delivers alliterative headlines from the imaginary publication 'Outside Football'.
In earlier years, segments such as "One-game wonders," which profiled players who appeared in only one VFL/AFL match, and "Oh brother!," focusing on interviews with siblings of former elite players, were also part of the program.
Former programs
- Sunday Nights: A year-round show airing Sundays from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm until its cancellation in 2008. Features like Magic Moments, Greg's Songs, and live musical performances were later incorporated into the Coodabeens' Saturday Soiree.
- The Idlers: Dedicated to Australian travel and leisure topics, this program aired Saturday evenings during the AFL off-season. Initially scheduled from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm, it was later moved to a 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm slot before being replaced by the Saturday Soiree in 2008.
- The Saturday Night Soiree: Broadcast during non-football periods but limited to internet and digital radio streaming due to increased sports coverage commitments; ABC discontinued this program in 2013.
Awards
The Coodabeen Champions were inducted into the MCG Media Hall of Fame in 2003. Additionally, they performed a four-song set during halftime at the 1987 VFL Grand Final.