Jimmy and Damo starting tonight.
Already miss Caro tonight.
Sam McClure hosting tonight as Eddie is in Dubai for work, but Sam mentioned theyâll cross to Eddie during the show.
Donât mind the new Wednesday panel but you have to wonder what the point is of having Damian Barrett if theyâre going to be crossing to Alicia Muling (9 News Melb sports reporter) each week for footy news updates. They couldâve just gone with three panelists + Alicia in the newsroom.
Moving to earlier time in Adelaide next week.
ABC response to Eddie McGuire
On the 29 March 2023 episode of Nine Networkâs Footy Classified Eddie McGuire repeated inaccurate statements about ABC journalist Russell Jacksonâs reporting on the allegations of racism against Hawthorn Football Club late last year.
McGuire incorrectly claimed three former Hawthorn employees named in the story were denied a fair opportunity to properly respond to the ABCâs reporting.
The ABC has previously addressed this claim in detail and itâs disappointing McGuire has repeated it.
To reiterate:
On Monday 19 September 2022 and into the following day the three former Hawthorn employees were contacted multiple times by the ABC, via email, phone call and text message. Also contacted were the media teams at Hawthorn and the Brisbane Lions and the personal management of one of the individuals.
They were provided with all relevant information about the allegations. They were asked detailed and open-ended questions that gave them the opportunity to fully respond to all the allegations.
After initially receiving no response, the ABC contacted all the parties again and offered them more time in which to respond. We again received no response to the questions.
Statements provided by Hawthorn and the AFL were included in the story and the ABC has reported comments that have subsequently been made.
In both instances that McGuire has made these inaccurate statements he has failed to contact Jackson and the ABC to verify his claims.
McGuire also asked last night: âAre we hearing anything from (Russell Jackson) these days? Seems to have gone quiet.â
The answer is that Jacksonâs latest report on this important story had been published just the day before: Couple at centre of Hawthorn Hawks racism review look into legal options, not taking part in AFL investigation
The ABC has reported extensively on this story since September and will continue to do so. This story prompted the AFLâs first independent investigation and that investigation is ongoing.
Russell Jackson is a Walkley Award-winning reporter. His journalism has uncovered a range of important issues in the sporting world that have led to major reviews and policy reform. The ABC will continue to correct the record when false and inaccurate claims are made about his reporting.
Essendon coach Brad Scott on the panel tonight, in place of Matthew Lloyd.
The arm of one Eddie McGuire Jnr too
Looks like just the Wednesday edition this week. Amazing half the time Hutchy mentions at the end about Footy Classified being back next Monday it doesnât happen. It is probably the fourth time heâs done that in two years.
Definitely no Monday episode this week according to guides posted by TVCynic last week.
Eddie said Hutchy will be back on Monday too. Must be force of habit for them. It definitely wouldnât make sense to air an episode on Monday up against the live telecast of the Richmond v Melbourne Anzac Day Eve game on 7.
The show was in the early schedules from Nine.
The new Wednesday night team are growing on me. Four smart football minds. Great that itâs on live at 8.30pm tonight.
I think questions have to be asked about where Hutchyâs loyalty lies. How can he front a Nine product each week, yet is also conspiring against them (albeit for a different arm of the business - radio) as CEO of a rival media company?
Nine have him contracted to front Monday Footy Classified only though. His involvement with SEN is a separate issue as he doesnât contribute directly to 3AW Football in any way.
Because of Wimbledon coverage the show will be on 9Gem Monday 3 July at 8:55 pm. Wednesday will be on the main channel at 8:30pm.
It hasnât been airing in NSW/QLD while the tennis and womenâs cricket has been airing.
You can find Footy Classified on 9Gem on Wednesday 19 July at 7:30pm.