The Footy Show (rugby league)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Sports television |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Defunct | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Australia , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Paul Vautin, Erin Molan, Ryan Girdler, Brad Fittler, Beau Ryan, Darryl Brohman, Peter Sterling |
| Products | Sports variety television program focusing on rugby league |
The Footy Show was a sports variety television series from Australia that centered on professional rugby league in Australia. It was broadcast on the Nine Network for a span of 25 seasons, running from 1994 until 2018. The final edition was hosted by journalist Erin Molan, accompanied by co-hosts Ryan Girdler and Brad Fittler, with regular segments featuring Beau Ryan and Darryl Brohman. For 23 years, former rugby league athlete and commentator Paul Vautin served as the primary host, while Peter Sterling co-hosted during the initial 12 years. Usually airing on Thursday evenings, the program blended entertainment with rugby league content such as previews of upcoming matches and interviews with players.
The program’s name originates from the colloquial Australian English term for football.
On 2 October 2018, the Nine Network declared that the show would be cancelled and would not return for the 2019 season.
Presenters
- Paul Vautin (Main Host, 1994–2017)
- Erin Molan (Regular contributor 2012–2013, Co-host 2014–2017, Main Host 2018)
- Beau Ryan (Regular contributor 2009–2014, Co-host 2014–2018)
- Darryl Brohman (Co-host 2010–2017; 'Small Talk' segment in 2018; Regular guest 2001−2004)
- Ryan Girdler (Co-host 2018)
- Brad Fittler (Co-host in 2011 and 2018)
- Bryan Fletcher (Sportsbet Updates 2012−2013; Regular guest 2003−2011)
- Joel Caine (Sportsbet Updates 2014–2018)
- David Middleton (Statistics Analyst 2013–2017)
- Michael Slater (Co-host 2012–2014)
- Wendell Sailor (2009–2010)
- Laurie Daley (Co-host in 2008)
- Matthew Johns (Co-host and comedic roles 2003–2009)
- Paul Harragon (2001–2008; Occasional special guest host later)
- Andrew Voss (Regular guest and co-host roles from 1997 to 2011)
- Peter Sterling (Principal co-host from 1994 to 2006, returned in 2010)
- Steve Roach (Co-host between 1994 and 1999)
- Ray Hadley (Occasional appearances from mid-1990s until 2012)
- Mario Fenech (1994–2013)
- Allan Robinson (Robbo P.I. – Pest Incorporated)
Regular guests
- Phil Gould (1995−2008)
- Terry Hill (1996−2000)
- Paul Langmack (1997−2001)
- Mark Geyer (2000−2007)
- Wayne Pearce (2000−2001)
- Nathan Brown (2001)
- Jason Stevens (2002−2006)
- Billy Slater (2010–2018)
- James Maloney (2012–2018)
- Paul Gallen (2013–2018)
- Sam Thaiday (2013–2018)
- Tommy Raudonikis (Regular panelist, 2016–2017)
- Brett Finch (Regular panelist, 2013–2016)
- Yvonne Sampson (Regular panelist, 2013–2016)
- Gorden Tallis (Regular panelist, 2012–2015)
- Anthony Minichiello (‘Mini-fit’ segment host, 2015)
- Bryan Fletcher (Sportsbet Updates, 2013)
- Sam Burgess (Regular panelist, 2011–2014)
Entertainment
Scheduling
The NRL edition was broadcast every Thursday.
NSW & QLD
- Thursday Night: around 9:40 pm on Nine (following Thursday Night Football)
- Sunday Morning: 11 am on Nine
VIC, TAS, SA & WA
- Thursday Night: 11:30 pm on Nine
- Sunday Morning: VIC – 1 pm, SA – 12:30 pm, WA – 11 am on 9Gem, preceding Nine's Sunday Football coverage
Between 1994 and 2012, The Footy Show generally aired at 9:30 pm AEST; this changed to 8:30 pm AEST from 28 November 2012 onward.
Thursdays
In regions such as New South Wales, Queensland, and other areas where NRL is dominant, the NRL edition was shown on Thursday evenings, with the AFL version airing later that night. Conversely, in AFL-prevalent states (Victoria, South Australia, etc.), the AFL program was scheduled first, followed by the NRL show.
The Thursday night NRL broadcast featured a mix of variety acts, live musical performances, and discussions addressing current topics and upcoming game matters.
Memorable segments from past episodes included Anti-Ads, National Naan News, Daredevil Dudes, Hill Report (hosted by Terry Hill), Yesterday's Hero (with Paul Langmack), Going.. Going.. Gooone, Crack-a-Fat, One Versus One, No Talent Time, Their House (featuring Ryan Girdler and later Bryan Fletcher), Reg Reagan, and That's Gold. The Crack-a-Fat segment made a comeback in 2013; That's Gold returned in 2014.
From 2010, a well-liked feature was "Stuff You May Have Missed," which compiled weekly bloopers from NRL rounds and other television programs; this segment concluded in 2013.
In 2015, prominent segments included "Kick or Grab," "The Footy Show Row Show," "The Molan Files," "Beau Knows," "That's Gold," "Perfect Partners," "Stuff You May Have Missed," and "Player Probe."
With Nine airing Thursday night football in 2016, the show shifted to Wednesdays at 8:30 pm starting in March but reverted back to Thursdays from 25 August.
The milestone 500th episode was broadcast on 11 August 2011.
Sundays
The Sunday Footy Show is presented by Erin Molan, Peter Sterling, and Brad Fittler, with regular contributions from panellist Sam Thaiday.
In AFL-dominated states, The Sunday Footy Show is shown on a delayed schedule at 1 pm on 9GEM, followed by Nine's Sunday afternoon football telecast at 3 pm. The program was discontinued in South Australia in early 2014 but resumed broadcasting there in late 2015. Before 2013, the show was not available in AFL-centric states.
1990s
The Footy Show premiered during the NSWRL finals of 1994 with original hosts 'Fatty' (Paul Vautin), 'Sterlo' (Peter Sterling), and 'Blocker' (Steve Roach), alongside frequent appearances by Ray Hadley. Both Hadley and Roach departed by the late 1990s amid internal disputes and controversies. Hadley’s opposition to the Super League competition led to his exit after 1998. Roach was removed following an incident unrelated to the field.
For two years following these departures, Vautin and Sterling co-hosted together, often joined by guest hosts such as Darryl Brohman, Phil Gould, and the Johns brothers (Andrew and Matthew). Among popular segments was Ryan Girdler's Their House, a spoof of the lifestyle show Our House.
2000s
In 2001, a competition inspired by Survivor led to the appointment of former Newcastle Knights captain Paul Harragon ('Chief') as co-host. Matthew Johns joined the team in 2003 after gaining popularity with characters like Reg Reagan. The persona Randy Discotelli was introduced in 2005.
Harragon was responsible for introducing well-liked segments such as 'That's Tops' (2002–2004), which featured a double thumbs-up gesture. Mario Fenech ('The Falcon') frequently served as host during this period. The segment 'That's Gold' debuted in 2005, involving a hand gesture that was revived in 2014. Both gestures became widely recognized at NRL events across Australia and New Zealand.
Following a drop in ratings in 2005, former host Ray Hadley was invited to return but declined due to his radio obligations; Rebecca Wilson briefly joined the show but exited after one episode amid internal resistance.
The program released three "best of" DVDs, a compilation CD, the Reg Reagan All of Me DVD, and the single "Am I Ever Gonna See the Biff Again?" performed by Reg Reagan and the Knucklemen—Reg Reagan being a satirical take on 1970s ocker footballers.
Between June and September 2005, Matthew Johns took over hosting duties while Vautin recovered from a head injury sustained during filming of a comedy sketch; guest presenter Clive James also made appearances.
Offering more variety than conventional sports shows, the program included games like Going, Going, GOOONE! and segments such as Daredevil Dudes. Each episode typically focused detailed previews on only one match, usually Friday Night Football.
In 2007, Peter Sterling departed to concentrate on commentary roles; the show continued with Vautin, Harragon, and Johns. Laurie Daley joined as a fourth host in 2008.
By early 2009, Paul Harragon had left the show, Laurie Daley returned to Foxtel, and Andrew Voss replaced those who departed. In May 2009, Matthew Johns was controversially dismissed by the network.
2010s
In 2010, the program underwent a format change: Andrew Voss was removed from hosting but remained involved as a supporting presenter. Paul Vautin was joined by three rotating weekly hosts—Peter Sterling (returning after three years), Wendell Sailor, and Darryl Brohman. In 2011, Sailor and Sterling exited, prompting a return to three weekly hosts: Vautin, Brohman, and Brad Fittler. Fittler left in 2012 and was succeeded by former cricketer Michael Slater alongside Vautin; Brohman moved to a supporting role before resuming co-host duties in 2013.
Slater’s involvement attracted criticism from fans due to his cricket background on a rugby league-focused show. After controversial remarks about lead commentator Ray Warren, Andrew Voss was dismissed following the 2011 season.
2018 Revamp and Axing
On 13 October 2017, Channel Nine announced an extensive overhaul for the 2018 season coinciding with a new agreement to broadcast 23 Thursday night NRL matches. Shortly thereafter, reports surfaced that Paul Vautin had been removed and that the show might be discontinued despite earlier renewal confirmations. A new one-hour program with a stronger news focus hosted by Erin Molan was planned to replace the previous variety-style format.
It was confirmed on 15 January 2018 that Molan would helm the revamped show airing after Thursday NRL fixtures, accompanied by Wide World of Sports commentators and current or former NRL players. Darryl Brohman and Beau Ryan retained their segments, while Vautin’s role was reduced to commentary duties, ending his 24-year tenure as host.
On 15 February 2018, Ryan Girdler joined full-time as panellist alongside Andrew Johns. During Molan’s maternity leave starting from 17 May, James Bracey assumed main hosting responsibilities; Molan returned later that season.
Vautin made an emotional guest appearance at Suncorp Stadium on 24 May 2018 to express gratitude toward colleagues and fans for their support throughout his extensive career.
On 2 October 2018, Channel Nine officially cancelled the show and replaced it with Golden Point, a Thursday night post-match program hosted by James Bracey featuring Paul Vautin as a regular panel member.
Brisbane Footy Show
Originally developed by QTQ9 Production Manager John Evans, The Brisbane Footy Show served as the initial model for what would become the NRL Footy Show. It premiered in 1993 and continued for two seasons before Channel 9's Sydney headquarters concluded that operating multiple state-specific footy programs was inefficient. This high-cost live production centered on rugby league discussions and featured an expansive set accommodating a studio audience exceeding 100 people. Notable segments included "controversy corner" and the "bar room." The show was first hosted by Billy J. Smith and subsequently by Chris Bombolas. Regular contributors included Gary Belcher, Kevin Walters, Peter Jackson, Mario Fenech, Laurel Edwards, and Steve Haddin. Each week, there was also a live link to Sam Newman from Melbourne’s AFL Footy Show. Presently, the Sydney edition is broadcast throughout Queensland.
The Footy Show Fight Night
Launched on 31 January 2015, the Footy Show Fight Night is a boxing event headlined by a match between Sonny Bill Williams and Chauncy Welliver. The event was presented by Erin Molan alongside Beau Ryan, with commentary provided by Ray Hadley and former boxers Jeff Fenech, Danny Green, and Anthony Mundine.
Special editions
In May 2006, both the AFL and NRL versions of the Footy Show dedicated special episodes to survivors Todd Russell and Brant Webb following the Beaconsfield Mine Collapse in Tasmania. These programs featured interviews conducted by Eddie McGuire with the miners.
Also in 2006, to celebrate the Rugby League State of Origin decider held in Melbourne, the AFL and NRL shows were produced simultaneously at Nine Network’s Melbourne studios. A quiz segment saw AFL personalities Billy Brownless and Sam Newman compete against NRL representatives Matthew Johns and Peter Sterling, highlighting Melbourne’s rugby league enthusiasm. The AFL team emerged victorious, with Newman notably smashing a replica Logie award during the broadcast.
That same year, both leagues collaborated on a special edition filmed in Germany to coincide with Australia’s participation in the FIFA World Cup. Co-hosted by Eddie McGuire and James Brayshaw, this program concentrated entirely on Australia's World Cup campaign.
In July 2014, The Footy Show aired from Newcastle Entertainment Centre ahead of the "Rise for Alex" round, supporting Newcastle Knights player Alex McKinnon, who had sustained a career-ending neck injury. The episode featured appearances from former presenter and Knights CEO Paul Harragon, club legends Andrew Johns and Danny Buderus, as well as coach Wayne Bennett, marking his debut on the show. Erin Molan conducted interviews with both McKinnon and Bennett that were included in the broadcast.
Awards
Since 1996 (excluding 1999), the show has consistently been nominated for the Logie Award for Most Popular Sports Program, securing wins or nominations every year since its inception.
Logie Awards won:
- Eleven times (2000, 2005–2007, 2009–2010, 2013–2017)
Logie nominations:
- Ten occasions (1996–1998, 2001–2004, 2008, 2011–2012); losses occurred to The AFL Footy Show (1996–1998, 2002–2003, 2008, 2011), The Dream with Roy and HG (2001), and The AFL Grand Final (2012)
Additional nomination:
- Once in 1996 for Most Popular Light Entertainment (lost to Hey Hey It's Saturday)
Criticism and controversy
The Footy Show attracted negative attention due to its use of coarse humor and its apparent endorsement of alcohol consumption within the sporting context, including the presence of alcohol-related advertising on set.
Mario Fenech, a former player frequently targeted by jokes on the show and later diagnosed with cognitive impairments linked to rugby injuries, voiced dissatisfaction regarding how he was portrayed.
International broadcast
The show was transmitted live in New Zealand through Sky Sport.
In both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, it aired on a delayed schedule via Premier Sports and Setanta Sports, generally at 10pm on Thursdays, although occasionally at earlier times.
Additionally, it was simultaneously broadcast in Papua New Guinea on EM TV alongside the Queensland airing.