NITV’s flagship AFL Footy show, THE MARNGROOK FOOTY SHOW will make the bold move to a new permanent timeslot of 8.30pm on Wednesday nights for the 2018 season, starting 21 March.
Executive Producer and host of the show Grant Hansen says The Marngrook Footy Show has come of age and it’s time Indigenous football claimed Wednesday nights as its own.
“Marngrook is as relevant as any other football show, with a panel that is representative of those who play and watch the game,” Hansen said.
“We always strive to make a family-friendly footy show that champions the important contribution Indigenous Australians make to our great game and I’m looking forward to a new season of footy analysis, player interviews, and conversations with our new panel members alongside legends of the game.”
This year Marngrook will add some exciting new talent to its panel, including new co-host, Essendon/Sydney legend Derek Kickett.
“Derek Kickett is an absolute legend of the game – it’ll be great to have a voice from WA, a huge football state.”
Marngrook has always included a strong female voice with Leila Gurruwiwi and Shelley Ware central to the show. This season, The Marngrook Footy Show will also include an AFLW player as a permanent panellist, stand by for more information soon…
In 2018, the show will feature leading Indigenous football experts at the big desk, including Shaun Burgoyne, Gavin Wanganeen, Mathew Stokes and Andrew Krakouer. Regulars Rohan Connolly and legends of the game Kevin Bartlett, Peter Daicos, Robert Walls and Doug Hawkins will also be returning for the 2018 season.
NITV’s Head of Sport, Mark Ella said: “After over a decade on screen, Marngrook has a dedicated audience who tune in weekly; this is a testament to the program being a footy show with a difference. The program celebrates and embraces Australia’s diverse multicultural society and aims to be accessible and enjoyed by a wide audience.
“The series recognises the huge contribution made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders throughout the game’s history and also the significant representation of Indigenous players in the present day.”
After 10 years as the co-host of the show, Gilbert McAdam has decided to return home to Alice Springs to take up a position at Central Australia Aboriginal Media Association, hosting a radio sports show on the CAAMA network.
“Ten years of living away from your homeland is such a big thing for Indigenous people. I fully understand why Gilly wanted to return home and we all support his move back to Alice Springs and this exciting next chapter in his career.”
In 2018, Marngrook will feature new segments, fresh faces, and an updated format making Wednesday nights the home of Indigenous footy. More details about the new season will be announced in the coming weeks…
MIDWEEK IS MARNGROOK – MARNGROOK IS MIDWEEK – WEDNESDAYS AT 8.30PM ON NITV.
The Marngrook Footy Show began as a radio program on community radio in 1997 as an initiative to remedy the under representation of Indigenous commentators in the football media. The show was broadcast around Australia on the National Indigenous Radio Service building a strong and loyal audience.
In 2007 Marngrook was launched as a TV show on the new NITV network and then moved to ABC2 for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. In 2013 Marngrook returned to NITV and has been one of the highest rating programs on the channel each year since. In 2017 Marngrook celebrated its 10th birthday, an incredible achievement in today’s media landscape.
Marngrook is a footy show with a difference that celebrates and embraces Australia’s diverse multicultural society. The show is hosted by an Indigenous panel, recognising the huge contribution made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders throughout AFL’s history. This significant representation of Indigenous players continues today, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders currently making up around 10% of AFL player lists.
