Footy Classified

Footy Classified (previously known under the working title Footy Confidential), is an Australian television program broadcast on the Nine Network which discusses pressing issues relating to AFL football. It debuted on Monday 2 April 2007. It currently features well known football analysis personalities Craig Hutchison, Garry Lyon, Matthew Lloyd and Caroline Wilson.

Overview

The show was originally known by the working title Footy Confidential,^[1] before Foxtel later announced a gossip news show it was producing called Confidential,^[2] causing Nine to rename the show to Footy Classified.

Footy Classified consists of four panellists: Craig Hutchison, Caroline Wilson, Garry Lyon and Matthew Lloyd. Following discussions on controversial events during the weekend of football, a special guest will arrive in the studio for an in-depth chat - usually a high-profile coach or player. During its first season, Wayne Carey was the fourth panellist but after personal life indiscretions was axed by Channel 9.

The show was known for its confrontations between Wayne Carey and Craig Hutchison, and between all panel members in general. One notable stoush consisted of Craig Hutchison making a sign for Wayne Carey to hold up saying that he was "wrong" regarding Dean Laidley (Carey had previously stated that he wanted Laidley sacked because his poor media manner meant that he was not diplomatic enough to lead the club, North Melbourne. The team responded by winning 4 consecutive games and, eventually by making the Preliminary Final).

Wayne Carey was sacked from the program and Channel Nine on 30 January 2008 after controversy surrounding his personal life emerged. He was replaced by recently retired ex-team mate Glenn Archer.

For the 2009 season, Glen Archer was replaced by former coach Grant Thomas.^[3] After leaving the show, Archer has continued his media work, writing for a variety of newspapers.

It was reported on 21 September 2012 that Grant Thomas won't be returning in 2013, Nine announced on 28 November 2012 that former Essendon Captain Matthew Lloyd will replace Thomas in 2013.

Segments

• Good Call, Bad Call - introduced in 2009, this popular segment involves one of the panelists making a statement, followed by another replying with either "Good Call" or "Bad Call", and then explaining why.
• Closing Cook - Garry Lyon criticises ‘low profile’ individuals involved in AFL for making small mistakes, or for other reasons. These may include timekeepers, members of the crowd etc.
• Caro's Arrow - this was introduced in 2011, following Craig Hutchison stating that Caroline Wilson demanded her own segment. Within it, she criticises ‘high profile’ individuals within the AFL administration, or AFL presidents like Eddie McGuire. The segment begins with an 'action hero' animation of Wilson, and ends when Garry Lyon pulls out and shoots an imaginary arrow.

Panellists

• Current panellists:
  • Craig Hutchison (2007–present)
  • Garry Lyon (2007–present)
  • Caroline Wilson (2007–present)
  • Matthew Lloyd (2013–present)

• Former panellists:
  • Glenn Archer (2008)
  • Wayne Carey (2007)
  • Grant Thomas (2009–2012)

Timeslot and ratings

Footy Classified often dominates the 10:30 Monday night timeslot which it has held since its inception, consistently beating main rivals the Seven Network and Network Ten in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth on Channel Nine. After a rescheduling of programming in August 2009, this program now airs in Sydney and Brisbane at midnight on Tuesday.

References

External links

• Official Footy Classified website
• Footy Classified at the Internet Movie Database