Fox Footy

Hopefully he goes from the Herald Sun as well, he’s one of the most insufferable members of the AFL media imo, probably only topped by the 9 trio of McClure, Cornes and Wilson.

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Probably for the best, Robbo is a weak link in this program. That said, he is the reason (some) people actually watch the show. In my opinion the entire show is dated and has basically been eclipsed by Social Media in regard to sourcing information and discussion.

Bring the Chief into his chair and the show will dramatically improve, when he filled in during 2021, the show was fantastic.

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Jordan Lewis did well filling in for Robbo this year as well. They need to liven it up with some younger hosts and guests on the show.

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May I make a bold prediction for Fox going into the future?

With the TV broadcasters needing a more diverse spread of talent on-air from next season, I think Fox will want to make Ruby Schleicher their version of Daisy Pearce on 7. She had a very good debut season on Triple M this year, which, alongside her AFLW commentary over the last few seasons for Fox, got her a gig on the boundary almost every Sunday afternoon for the second half of the season. Sure, Sunday arvos are the “throwaway” time slot for the AFL, but she is the first AFLW player to feature on a relatively consistent basis on Fox’s AFL programming and she’s following a relatively similar path to Daisy (without the prior AFLW commentary experience).

  • Daisy started out on the boundary for 7 just after the start of AFLW (I think after S1 but correct me if I’m wrong) and worked her way to the GF boundary in 2018 and 2019, before moving to special comments in 2020 and getting the specials chair for the '21 and '22 GF.

  • Ruby has already started boundary-side for Fox (first game in R14) after a few years of AFLW commentary, and a debut for MMM in R6 before roles in special comments by R11. Plus, she was already on Fox’s GF coverage this year alongside Jack, Dicko and the face of the Fox Sports brand Howie.

Sarah Hosking might be another potential person for this sort of role as she is an analyst for AFLW and also is a pretty handy member of the MMM team.

But what do you all think? Do you think she’s good enough to be Fox’s version of Daisy?

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I feel like it’s probably a contractual thing though?

i.e. no difference to now.

Correct, I didn’t think Fox’s feed gets broadcast live anywhere where it isn’t in Australia?

No impact on an overseas broadcaster though is it? Plus Fox would have their own cross promotions too.

Oh 100%. They were previously grooming Chloe Molloy to be their star but since her move to Sydney Ruby has been their main one. She’s been presenting and reporting on FSN etc., while Chloe has been more of a brand ambassador recently.

Jack Riewoldt cohosting with Gerard tonight. No mention of Robbo’s absence at the start of the show.

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Gerard thanked Robbo tonight at the end, making it clear that he was leaving without directly saying it.

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Yeah makes me wonder, did he jump or was he pushed?

As chaotic as he was, Robbo was entertaining. Gerard and Robbo together is a master pairing.

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Given his absence, I’m thinking he got the tap. A shame if that was the case because he was deserving of a final show, especially after 1500 episodes and a few Logies.

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The fact that even the Herald Sun couldn’t get a quote from Robbo is rather telling. He has clearly been boned and is not very happy about it.

Gerard and Robbo were a great combo together, but reality is ratings have declined over last few years and the new tw rights deal is the perfect moment for a channel reboot.

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Surprised Robbo didn’t get the chance to sign off one last time. Gerard’s sign off from tonight:

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AFL 360 long-time EP and former ATV-10 news/ST reporter 15 years ago Tim Hodges commented about their post-GF edition tonight… But also didn’t say anything about Robbo’s departure:

https://x.com/timmyhodges/status/1840687675897975159?t=U7BQyhvK0nOVdqiCaDuNeQ&s=19

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Perhaps he was offered that but refused because he’s upset about being axed (which increasingly is what appears to have happened here).

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I think Gary’s line is telling there: “Thanks Gerard, you’re a consummate professional” after the Robbo message. Robbo’s 100% been dropped.

Robinson was informed by Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley last week that Monday’s show would be his last, becoming the latest talent change ahead of Fox and Seven’s new broadcast contract with the AFL kicking in.

However, he did not show up, fearing he might “say something or act in a way that I might regret”, he told radio station RSN on Tuesday morning.

Robinson said he was informed by Crawley last week that changes were being made to the program – and that he was the change.

“Clearly, at the end, not everyone was in my corner. Well, if you’re going to get sacked from that show, clearly people aren’t in your corner,” he said.

Despite Robinson’s removal from the show after 14 years, Fox was keen to retain him for other panel shows, including Midweek Tackle and a potential interview show, the sources said.

Robinson said he was considering a number of Fox Footy proposals that Crawley had put to him.

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I’m not Robbo’s biggest fan, but the show worked.

If only Crawley would sack the NRL 360 team and start again…

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No one in television takes more sickies than Robbo has in the last decade. This is separate to the heart issues over the last couple of years. I’m sure it played a part.

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Might watch the show again now! :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

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The Cheap Seats tonight showed excerpts from Fox Footy’s broadcast of North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast last Saturday. I heard the familiar voice of John Deeks introducing Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton to other guests. Is Deeks working as a freelancer after leaving Seven?

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Fox Sports and Medibank come together to showcase all things AFLW in dedicated weekly show

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Fox Sports has announced the launch of ‘AFLW on Fox’, in partnership with Medibank. AFLW on Fox is a new show, on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, that will dissect all the action from around the latest AFLW round, while spotlighting the big issues around the league.

The show will be hosted by renowned sports commentator Kelli Underwood and award-winning AFLW journalist Lauren Wood, alongside a rotating expert host, and broadcast immediately following the final game of each AFLW round.

Fox Footy General Manager Michael Neill said: “With the AFLW in full swing, there is no better time to extend the AFLW conversation after the final siren of the round. Kelli and Lauren are two of the most experienced and respected sports journalists in the country and will no doubt bring fun, fresh perspectives to the competition.

“AFLW on Fox continues our commitment to highlighting the best women’s competitions across the country, and we thank Medibank for their support in enabling us to platform women’s sport and the AFLW in this way.”

Kelli Underwood said: “As women’s football continues to grow it’s crucial to have the important conversations. Every Sunday, after the final siren of the last game, we’ll wrap up the action - live in studio - with the biggest names in the game and the biggest news stories.

“AFLW on Fox will be a one-stop shop for breaking news and analysis. Each week a star of the competition will also join us in the studio for a light-hearted look at the round of matches. These women know how to celebrate a goal and take the mickey out of themselves - so expect plenty of fun as we head into the finals series!’”

Medibank Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Ronson said: "We are thrilled to support AFLW on Fox and continue to champion women’s sport by celebrating the exceptional talent and dedication of the players. Sport plays an important role in promoting physical and mental wellbeing and we are excited to extend this beyond the siren each week.”

Richard Lehocz MD Carat Victoria said: “We are delighted to have played a helping hand in bringing Medibank and Foxtel Group together for this exciting and important partnership.”

Audiences of the 2024 AFLW season are currently up year-on-year with the season tracking to be the most streamed of all time on Kayo Sports.

AFLW on Fox premieres on Sunday 6 October immediately following the final AFLW game of the round, exclusively on Foxtel and Kayo Sports. The first guest host will be Collingwood player and dual AFLW Women’s All Australian Ruby Schleicher.

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