Former stars of the AFL Footy Show have convened in Port Melbourne to film interviews and share memories, celebrating the show’s 30-year run.
Participants include Billy Brownless, Damian Barrett, Rebecca Maddern, Garry Lyon, Sam Newman, Eddie McGuire, and Craig Hutchison.
Absent from this reunion was James Brayshaw. Brayshaw, now with Channel 7, revealed on Triple M radio that he declined the invitation. He was under the impression that the focus was solely on the Sunday Footy Show.
Brayshaw was axed from Channel 9 in 2016 after failing to negotiate a new contract with the network, the presenter hosted The Footy Show for 11 years alongside Garry Lyon and Rebecca Maddern.
While it’s unconfirmed whether Channel 7 was open to Brayshaw participating in the special, the network has granted permission for newsreader Rebecca Maddern to appear on the retrospective special.
Fox Footy has also granted permission for its contracted talent to appear on the program which is expected to air on Channel 9 during Grand Final week.
The get-together was organised to film segments for two milestone specials: the 30th anniversary of The Footy Show Grand Final Spectacular scheduled for this year, and next year’s 30th anniversary of the prime-time Footy Show.
The first Footy Show Grand Final Special aired in a Friday timeslot in 1993 as an extension of the Sunday Footy Show, and was hosted by Max Walker.
It featured well-known personalities such as Ted Whitten, Sam Newman, Sam Kekovich, Simon Maddern, and Lou Richards.
This forthcoming special is slated to showcase iconic moments from previous Grand Final specials, including highlights from the ‘players revue’—a segment where football stars performed dance routines and mimed songs.
Fans can look forward to reliving the legendary ‘players revue’. This fan-favourite segment featured top footballers of the time engaging in dance routines and lip-sync performances.
The first Footy Show Grand Final Spectacular hit the airwaves on Channel 9 back in 1993, emerging as an extension of the Sunday Footy Show. A year later, the prime-time, midweek Footy Show was launched, with the end-of-season spectacular becoming a cherished segment.
SOURCE: Herald Sun
