The Front Bar
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting, Sports entertainment |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | Mick Molloy (producer/manager) |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Andy Maher, Mick Molloy, Sam Pang |
| Products | Television talk show focused on Australian Football League and other sports |
| Website | 7plus |
The Front Bar (previously known as Friday Front Bar) is a talk show centered on the Australian Football League that airs on the Seven Network. Presented by journalist Andy Maher alongside comedians Mick Molloy and Sam Pang, the program combines sports analysis with humor and entertainment.
Overview
Broadcast from March through September during the AFL season, the series is produced by Front Bar Entertainment, a company managed by Molloy. Each episode features the hosts and guests engaging in casual conversations about current topics while enjoying beer. Prominent guests have included AFL icons such as Kevin Bartlett, Brian Taylor, Jason Dunstall, along with former The Footy Show co-hosts Garry Lyon and Billy Brownless.
The show has also ventured beyond AFL coverage, creating special editions linked to major events like the 2018 Winter Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Melbourne Cup, and cricket seasons. Since 2022, the The Front Bar: All Sports version has showcased athletes from various sports including Mick Doohan, Lauren Jackson, and Pat Rafter, thereby expanding its appeal across multiple sporting audiences.
Sponsorship deals have played a significant role in funding; initially supported by Carlton Draught beer until 2022 amidst concerns over brand prominence. In 2023, the program secured a new sponsorship arrangement with Furphy, signaling strategic collaborations within the beverage sector.
Regular
- Andy Maher, journalist, SEN commentator, and supporter of Carlton
- Mick Molloy, comedian and fan of Richmond
- Sam Pang, comedian and follower of Carlton
Semi-regular
- Andy Lee, comedian and supporter of Carlton
- Ryan Fitzgerald, former player for Sydney and Adelaide and supporter
- Santo Cilauro, comedian, writer, filmmaker, and enthusiast of Collingwood
- Titus O’Reily, comedian, writer, broadcaster, and admirer of Melbourne
- Mark Knight, editorial cartoonist for Herald Sun and creator of AFL premiership posters
- Marty Sheargold, comedian and supporter of North Melbourne
- Luke Darcy, Channel 7 commentator and former player for the Western Bulldogs
- Matthew Richardson, Channel 7 commentator and ex-player for Richmond
- Lawrence Mooney, comedian, actor, and writer
Behind-The-Scenes
- Danny McGinlay, comedian and fan of the Western Bulldogs
- Adam Rozenbachs, comedian, writer, and supporter of Carlton
Broadcast history
Originating in 2015 as the online-exclusive Friday Front Bar on AFL.com.au, the program featured Molloy and Maher—who had previously worked together on Before the Game. The Seven Network acquired it in 2016, dividing episodes into shorter segments posted on AFL.com.au on Fridays and full-length broadcasts following Friday night matches in traditional AFL states via Seven Network channels. In New South Wales and Queensland, it was shown on 7mate. The initial two seasons were filmed at Richmond’s All Nations Hotel.
In 2017, rebranded as The Front Bar, the show transitioned to a one-hour studio format airing Thursday evenings, occasionally scheduled after Thursday night games. Its timeslot moved from 9:30 pm to 8:30 pm to directly compete with Nine Network’s established The Footy Show. From mid-2017 until its cancellation in 2019, The Front Bar consistently achieved higher ratings than The Footy Show. The 2019 Grand Final episode was broadcast live from the Hotel Esplanade in St Kilda featuring AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan as a guest with Picket Palace performing as the house band.
In 2022, The Front Bar received its inaugural Logie nomination for Most Popular Panel or Current Affairs Program.
2023
| Episode | Edition | Guests | Broadcast Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFL | Tex Walker Ang Christou Anthony Koutoufides |
14 September 2023 | |
| AFL | Sandy Roberts Andrew Dillon Gillon McLachlan |
21 September 2023 | |
| AFL - Grand Final Special | Damien Hardwick Toby Greene Tim Rogers |
28 September 2023 | |
| All-Sports | Nathan Lyon Damien Oliver |
23 November 2023 | |
| All-Sports | Wasim Akram | 30 November 2023 |
2024
| Episode | Edition | Guests | Broadcast Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | All-Sports | Pat Cash Henry Young |
15 February 2024 |
| 2 | All-Sports | Eric Bana Luc Longley Horace Grant |
22 February 2024 |
| 3 | All-Sports | Cathy Freeman Mal Meninga |
29 February 2024 |
| 4 | AFL | Josh Daicos Nick Daicos Peter Daicos |
7 March 2024 |
| 5 | AFL | Trent Cotchin Andrew Dillon Lawrence Mooney |
13 March 2024 |
| 6 | AFL | Nic Naitanui Greg Williams |
20 March 2024 |
| 7 | AFL | Titus O'Reily Tom Liberatore Neil Balme |
27 March 2024 |
| 8 | AFL (Gather Round Special) | John Platten Darren Jarman Andrew Jarman John Cahill Mark Williams Malcolm Blight |
3 April 2024 |
| 9 | AFL | Mark Zanotti Graham Teasdale |
10 April 2024 |
| 10 | AFL | Ben Cousins | 17 April 2024 |
| 11 | AFL | Mark McGough Kevin Sheedy Dane Swan |
23 April 2024 |
| 12 | AFL | Anthony Rocca | 1 May 2024 |
| 13 | AFL | Mal Michael Laura Kane |
8 May 2024 |
| 14 | AFL | Michael McLean | 15 May 2024 |
| 15 | AFL (Indigenous Round Special) | Leon Davis Michael O'Loughlin Derek Kickett Michael Long |
22 May 2024 |
| 16 | AFL | Dwayne Russell | 29 May 2024 |