LEHMO, FEVOLA and DYLAN ALCOTT to host new look FOOTY SHOW on NINE in 2019

The Footy Show will be putting the focus on comedy when it returns in a new look format next month. 

According to a report published Fiona Byrne in The Herald-Sun, well liked comedian Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann will take on the hosting role on the NINE show. Lehmo was a former panellist on Ten’s much loved Before The Game, he has also presented football programming on ABC radio and last year hosted the coverage of the Invictus Games.

The Invictus coverage was produced by Eddie McGuire’s production company, who will also continue to produce the new look Footy Show for NINE. 

Sitting alongside Lehmo will be Carlton goal-kicking legend and Fox-FM breakfast host Brendan Fevola. It’s no surprise to see Fevola continue his involvement with the show in 2019. He was considered one of the few bright-lights of the beleaguered program last year and is entering into the second half of a two-year contract with NINE.

The report goes on to indicate tennis star and radio presenter Dylan Alcott will play a key role in the new show’s line-up. Alcott impressed NINE with his commentary work during the recent Australian Open tournament where he also won his fifth consecutive Australian Open quad wheelchair singles title.

The panel is also expected to be joined by a fourth, female presenter. This person is yet to be revealed, but TV Blackbox understands FOX FOOTY presenter Neroli Meadows is the key contender for the role. Meadows previously worked on Before The Game and has impressed many with her work on Foxtel’s AFL and Cricket coverage. Recent Magpies AFLW recruit Sharni Layton is another potential candidate.

The new Footy Show is expected to feature a rotating fifth guest panellist each week. TV Blackbox understands the show will leverage its sponsorship agreement with FOX FOOTY to include talent from the Foxtel channel. The new show also expected to include guest appearances from other comedians including Dave Thornton and Lawrence Mooney.

With the AFL scheduling a minimum of eight Thursday night games in 2019, including the first five rounds of the season, plus NINE’s commitment to broadcasting this winter’s ASHES and ODI World Cup cricket tournaments, the new look Footy Show will spend much of the year in a Wednesday time-slot. Combined with stiff competition from SEVEN’s beloved The Front Bar, it’s going to be a tough ask for NINE to win back viewers.