Footy Classified
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting, Sports media |
| Founded | April 2, 2007 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Eddie McGuire (host), Matthew Lloyd, Jimmy Bartel, Tom Morris, Sam McClure, Damian Barrett, Rory Sloane, James Hird (panellists) |
| Products | Television show focused on Australian Football League and Australian rules football |
Footy Classified is a television show from Australia broadcast twice a week on the Nine Network, concentrating on major topics within the Australian Football League and the broader sphere of Australian rules football. Its debut episode aired on 2 April 2007.
Overview
Originally named Footy Confidential, the program was rebranded as Footy Classified following the introduction of a gossip show called Confidential by Foxtel. The panel is composed of Matthew Lloyd, Eddie McGuire, Jimmy Bartel, Tom Morris, Sam McClure, Damian Barrett, Rory Sloane, and James Hird. Each installment involves in-depth discussions about recent football controversies, complemented by interviews with notable players or coaches.
The show became known for intense debates, particularly between Wayne Carey and Craig Hutchison. Carey participated as a panellist during the inaugural season but was removed after facing legal issues tied to assault accusations. His replacement was former teammate Glenn Archer, who was subsequently succeeded by ex-coach Grant Thomas in 2009. Thomas exited in 2012, paving the way for former Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd to join in 2013.
In 2016, Damian Barrett took on a full-time role, stepping in for Garry Lyon. By 2020, the program expanded its schedule to air on both Monday and Wednesday evenings, with Eddie McGuire hosting Wednesdays and Ross Lyon joining as a panellist, alongside Sam McClure delivering news updates. In 2023, Jimmy Bartel replaced Ross Lyon.
The year 2025 saw new additions including Tom Morris, Rory Sloane, and James Hird, who took over positions previously held by long-term contributors Craig Hutchison, Caroline Wilson, and Kane Cornes.
Segments
- Good Call, Bad Call – Introduced in 2009, this feature involves panellists making statements which are then evaluated by others as either a "Good Call" or "Bad Call," followed by explanations supporting their judgments.
- Closing Cook – Hosted by Matthew Lloyd, this segment humorously critiques lesser-known AFL participants such as timekeepers and spectators for minor mistakes. Over time, it has become a lighthearted conclusion to episodes.
- Caro's Arrow – Debuting in 2011 after Craig Hutchison highlighted Caroline Wilson’s desire for her own segment, this portion showcases Wilson's critiques of prominent AFL officials and presidents, including figures like Eddie McGuire. The segment begins with an animated 'action hero' depiction of Wilson.
Panellists
- Current Monday Panellists:
- Matthew Lloyd (2013–)
- Jimmy Bartel (2023–)
- Sam McClure (news) (2020–)
- Damian Barrett (2016–)
- Current Tuesday Panellists:
- Matthew Lloyd (2013–)
- Eddie McGuire (2020–)
- Rory Sloane (2025–)
- Tom Morris (2025–)
- James Hird (2025–)
- Former panellists:
- Craig Hutchison (2007–2024)
- Caroline Wilson (2007–2024)
- Glenn Archer (2008)
- Wayne Carey (2007)
- Grant Thomas (2009–2012)
- Garry Lyon (2007–2015, 2017)
- Chris Judd (2016, 2018–2019)
- Ross Lyon (2020–2022)
- Kane Cornes (2020–2024)
- Guest panellists:
- Chris Judd (2016–2019), occasional substitute for Damian Barrett
- Damian Barrett (2016–2017), frequent fill-in presenter
- Kane Cornes (2018–2019), stand-in panellist
Timeslot and ratings
Footy Classified holds the sought-after and strategic 10:30 PM Monday timeslot. Following a scheduling adjustment in August 2009, its broadcast shifts to midnight on Tuesdays in Sydney and Brisbane. The program mainly airs throughout the AFL premiership season, with occasional off-season episodes covering significant news developments.