The time has finally come – the 2007 NRL season is set to begin and the boys from The Footy Show are back tomorrow night at 9.30pm on Nine.
Paul “Fatty” Vautin, Matty Johns and Paul “Chief” Harragon are kicking off their 13th season, bringing rugby league lovers all the must-see footy action on and off the field on Thursday nights.
This year The Footy Show family is extending to include a revolving panel of guest co-hosts, footy players past and present. The new lineup includes Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers), Andrew Johns (Newcastle Knights), Willie Mason (Bulldogs), Mark Gasnier (St George-Illawarra) and show favourites Mario Fenech and Luke Ricketson.
First up on the panel this week are Willie Mason and injured Dragon, Mark Gasnier. Live in the studio as he prepares to make his debut for the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday will be Mat Rogers, talking about his return to league from union and how the NRL’s newest team is shaping up for the season.
After 12 years of co-hosting The Footy Show Peter “Sterlo” Sterling is moving on to focus on his heavy workload of commentary commitments as part of Nine’s blockbuster league coverage.
The boys are set to send “Sterlo” off and send him up in true Footy Show style.
All the classic segments are back by popular demand, including “That’s Gold”, all you need is a palm and a hand, and roving reports from Mario Fenech. This week “The Falcon” will report from the highly anticipated NRL season launch on the Gold Coast.
New to The Footy Show in 2007 is “Wags World”, hosted by Luke Ricketson, which promises to provide a look inside the lives of the wives and girlfriends of the footballers. “Chief” and Matty will battle it out each week with the outrageous new segment, “1 vs 1”.
This week’s daring challenge is braving the tightrope.
There will also be a new segment featuring Matty Johns’ latest alter-ego, Warren Robson “Yesterday Tomorrow’s” multi-award-winning current affairs journalist, who is set to report on the latest rugby league news and current affairs.
After The Footy Show, settle back for Friday Night Football on Channel Nine – bigger andbetter than ever this season. Nine will broadcast a double-header every Friday night including a live game from 7.30pm, starting with the Storm-Tigers game followed by the Broncos-Cowboys clash.
And Sunday, March 18 sees the return of the Sunday Footy Show at 11.00am, and Sunday Football live from 4.00pm, when the Gold Coast Titans make their NRL debut against the Dragons.
Gary Looney
Darling River (Australia) Salinity, Drought and Sustainability message for All_ A little message to remind us what is important_ Please read the text that goes with message http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMt2d01C_og People power and Sustainability, please pass it on Cheersshirley
well,well,well who and the bloody hell has the right to trash anyones family and life,if this did happen, and i am not so sure it happened the way she is claiming,it was seven years ago, no charges back then, why now? what! has this kiwi slut gone broke? does she need money? sleep with a footy player wait seven years then cry, well i think stuff the bitch, she wanted it, all i can say is suffer. hey mat,hold your head up mate, hang onto your family, you still have supporters that think you should still be doing all the things that you were doing before, i would love to meet you and your family. hey why not come to tamworth for a week end have a barby and a beer. hang in there mateJustin stenning
We think that the bulldogs got sharfted big time by the video ref it was a dead set try and the video ref needs to find another job they are totally useless in what they do making wrong desicions all the time.If this is going to keep on going in the nrl fans wont support their clubs anymore and league will go down like a sack of shit.brad
the video ref in the bulldogs and the dragons game is a ****ing moron what you are so ****ing blind to see that he wasnt in the way hey heres some advise stop pulling your dick and call the game how ****ing hard is it to see you replayed the video like 3 or 4 maybe more times wake up to your self wanka.Robyn K
I am a 44 year old mother of 2 sons and a daughter and we are a family who loves and supports football. I would like to say well said Kristen Taylor from Brisbane. I happen to agree with you 100%. You articulated yourself very well, showed a lot of common sense, and raised some very valid points. I wish Matt, Trish and their sons all the very best for their short and long term future. I hope this trial by media frenzy dies out very quickly and they can get back to some semblance of a 'normal' life. Shame on channel 9 for sacking Matt. Perhaps he has a case for unfair dismissal? Who or what gives any one of us the right to take the high moral ground and stand in judgement of anybody else in regard to the choices they make in their private lives? Whilst I personally found the 'incident' unsavory, I do respect the fact that it is his right to do whatever the hell he chooses as long as it is within the confines of the law, which it was. As his wife said, he is answerable to her and her alone for his infidelity, not you or I.Markusdbr
What the NRL players do to some women is indeed digusting and a few certainly degrade women. HOW-EVER some of these women are degrading themselves by throwing the offer of sex and group sex at the players and when it does not turn out to be the fairytale they wanted they scream rape, victim and degrading. In the case of Mathew Johns why has the womens name been withheld while Matthews name is spread all over the news. What a joke, fine for her to want to ruin Matthew but she should also take some responsibility herself and own up. Or is she ashamed what her family may think of her knowing that she threw herself at Matthew (and others)like the cheap tramp she has not admitted to being. Yes all players need to grow up and show some respect but all the young female fans need to also do the same. They are just football players (yes I know you say they have great bodies but so do other sports people)you don't see the mum and dad supporters throwing themselves on players every chance they get. Just watch the game and enjoy it for the great game it is and leave the sex until you are in a happy relationship.Lisamarie
What crime? It was consensual sex. There is no "abuse" or "crime" involved. Yes morally it was wrong and stupidity on the men involved has once again prevailed but as a woman i fully support matthew johns - she agreed to go up there. she worked there for goodness sake it wasnt like she didnt know who was staying there - she put herself in that predicament and has placed all genuine victims of rape crimes in jeopardy for fear of retribution for speaking out in times of true need. rape victims do take time to speak out due to uncertainty of being believed and judged and having to relive it and now she has made it worse for them. She had the CHOICE rape victims NEVER get a choice.nettynoo
Matty Johns Sex scandal is a joke... Shame on you Tracey Grimshaw .. 7 seven years too late ... and you have publicly hurt a family .;.. mostly an innocent wife, young 2 sons his mum & dad.. this is disgraceful.. If the policed dropped it NO CASE TO ANSWER then you should have too.. WAY WAY too late.. TELL US HOW MUCH MONEY THIS WOMAN IS GETTING FOR THIS>>> shame on you KIWI. SHE SHOULD SHOW HER FACE TOO..Kristen Taylor
I know this is probably not going to be a popular question, but I'm going to put it out there anyway - why has Channel 9 sacked Matthew Johns while Andrew Johns is still allowed to work there? Matthew Johns was CLEARED by the police SEVEN YEARS AGO. While maybe not morally right, his actions were not illegal. I have to question the motives of the woman involved to make this public after such a long time. It has been concluded that everything that occurred was consensual. I do not believe in "blaming the victim" but I do not consider this woman to be a victim. I'm sorry that she feels bad about what occurred, but that's no reason to do what she has and to lie and ruin anothers' career and life when she consented in the first place. Andrew Johns was found with drugs. He admitted a drug problem and that he used drugs during his playing career. Drugs that ARE illegal. Now I know the story about Andrew Johns' mental illness issues but illegal drug use is still illegal drug use. Yet he still continues his career with Channel 9 while his brother is sacked. I think this is extremely hypocritcal by Channel 9 - and by the NRL. The NRL was desperate to sweep Andrew Johns' drug use under the carpet so they could keep him working. But Matthew Johns has been thrown to the wolves. Also, Channel 9 has enjoyed great success from airing the 2nd series of Underbelly, staring Matthew Newton - who has a police conviction for domestic abuse against his former partner. If Channel 9 is so set on having a squeaky clean image, why did they allow Matthew Newton to appear on their screens? It seems they only care about their image when it suits them. I can only conclude that Channel 9 and the NRL condone drug use - as long as you're a big enough "star". Everytime I see or hear Andrew Johns on TV now I will be reminded of the hypocracy of the NRL and Channel 9. Kristen Taylor Brisbane, QLDNaomi
Another sad day for NRL. Is it any wonder why people are turning away from a sport they have followed there whole life! Shame on you Matty for causing your family so much embarrassment.Lisam64
As a female of 44 I am really disgusted at the treatment the media and in particular channel nine has dished out to John's. He participated in a consensual act, which he should only have to justify to his wife, Channel nines handling of the whole debacle has lost me as a viewer. I shall not be watching Tracey Grimshore and ACA again. Nor will I be watching the footy show.mima
I am a 43 year old woman. I can't understand why the spot light is placed on Matthew Johns, yes he made a mistake in relation to his wife and family but everyone seems to be missing the point. The female willingly went upto the hotel room, she willingly engaged in sex, give me a break - she went up there fully knowing what position she was placing herself in. I really question her motives as to why she made this a public matter after 7 years, what exactly is she after should be the question. Suicidal for seven years, yet still alive, perhaps she has grown up in the seven years and feels that she can't live with herself because she took part in group sex, well perhaps she should have thought of this before she went up to the hotel room. Perhaps she should invest her time in dealing with the fact that "she put herself in that position", perhaps she should concentrate quietly on herself instead of making a mess out of Matthew Johns family and public life.NGAPERA
I come from the small town of Huntly in New Zealand, a town known to have produced some great league players such as Tawera Nikau, Wairangi Koopu & Lance Hohaia. They are idolised by our youth and their success in sport encourages these kids to want to do well and to achieve their own successes in life. Their behaviour and actions governs the future of our kids. In the case of the Matty Johns incident, I can't help but feel he has let all of us down. Having committed the act is a crime in itself because he did in fact cheat on his wife. He certainly had no problem being involved in the ACT with other members from his team and to think that Management would help to cover up their players actions is disgusting! If anything, I think everyone involved in the incident at that time, should be made accountable for their actions and JUSTICE should be served…especially for the victim. It makes no difference whether the crime was committed seven years ago or seven weeks ago, it is still a crime and we should not accept this kind of behaviour. Just because the people involved are high profile stars, it makes no difference and if the players involved want any peace in their lives, they need to come forward and admit their guilt. Matty Johns should not be the scapegoat for everyone else that’s for sure! I wonder how these men would feel if their own wives, girlfriends, mothers, sisters or even daughters were put in the same situation? There is no doubt in my mind they each of them would want REVENGE for the ones they love. Shame how one incident can change a persons life isn't it. This incident has truly opened my own eyes to the types of abuse we as women suffer and I want to help make a difference. In my opinion, if Matty Johns was a real man he would leave the show himself!E. Prston
Be ashamed to call yourselves adult men, wondered why I got turned off sport at an early age, there's nothing sportsmanlike about your kind of football. Your "show" should be cancelled immediately.non supporter
To the footy show and the disrespect they have shown to all women. Johns should have been sacked and not allowed to feel sorry for himself on air. What a joke, that poor woman he and his mates have left in that state and he is only sorry for himself. This shows the true culture of rugby league. All players that have alledged claims agianst them should be charged and named like Brett Strewart. What about the bull dogs scandel, not one player was named on the news and none were charged. This was also not the first time apparently this happened. There are so many stories about league players out there and they are never made accountable in any of them because they seem to only answer to the NRL and not the judicial system every body else is acountable to. Why do the NRL think they have such poor membership numbers and crowd numbers are also not what they should be? Women actually make most of the decisions in a household and do not want to support what they consider a threat to their daughters neices or any other women out there. After what I saw on the news and four corners I believe even more people will turn away from football and find other sports to follow. I myself follow V8 super cars, never heard a rumoured pack rape or mutiation of a woman in that sport. If you approach one of the drivers in a public place for an autograph or chat does not mean in their eyes you intend to be subjected to a humilating life altering act by themselves and the rest of the drivers. Football has the worst name out in the public eye and until they are actually punished and stop hiding behind the NRL the numbers are going to continue to slide. Regards a mother who would NEVER allow her daughter near one of those ???????????tiger boy
As a lover of rugby league to see the footy show try and publisise their show with an ad simply stating "tonight on the footy show Another sex scandal" is disgusting. Seriously, are you guys at all trying to protect the code or just use every bit of bad publicity you can get your hands on to increase the shows ratings! As ex players they should all be disgusted in themselves sitting on their high horses. Be interesting to hear some of the drunken antics fatty got up to in his day.jackson brown
When your on a good thing you should stick to it. Get Voss off the footy show.....and bring back the entertainment.Greg
Saw the game between the Sharks and the Cowboys in Adelaide on Sunday. Just wanted to express how dissappointed I was at the way Cronulla players (ot the Cowboys for that matter) did not recognise the crowd after the game. Both teams walked from the field and then in a rather belated gesture the Cronulla players came back to the filed (about 5-7 minutes after they had left previously) to shake hands and sign autographs (most of the crowd had left by this stage). All up a total of about 10 mins. There were no players present at the "Rugby Bar" after the game for young eager autograph hunters. Even a specific area where members of both teams could have gone for eager autograph hunters would have been a reasonable gesture. Being and ex Adelaide League player (prior to the RAMS) I was left dismayed at the pathetic effort on the day of Rugby League to really get out there and promote the game. It appeared that Cronulla were only interested in picking up the cheque for the appearance and then going home as quickly as possible. Yes there were limited clinics provided by Cronulla, but on the day they lost and opportunity in front of a crowd of 8,500 to really promote the game. Shame Rugby League Australia and shame on Cronulla. Greggohthepanthers
Its better this year..percy is gold and the new bands rockin with a nice touch of glamma!Zoran
Glad its back in 09 it is a top show. Shame that the Chief isn't thoughladiesoul
Hi, firstly love the show, but was wondering how to send a "thats gold" piccarolyn
how do i send a thats gold pic
anna
Heyy does anyone know what the contact number or an email so that i cn contact the footy show for ma exibitions......
holla bak
thats gold hero
Does anyone know what email address or postal address to send a thats gold photo entry to the chief.
Anonymous
the dude from the NRL footy show band is in the hyundai ads. he rocks, i laugh every time. i want his name, and to download that audio!
Anonymous
who is the nrl footy show band
Jacinta Tanner
i am watching the afl footy show now and Mark McVeigh is one there. Can you please ask him if he came out to catholic regional college north keilor today. i got a picture with him. ask him to give me a shout out to Jacinta tanner, rose cuda, cassie attard, brittany smith and bethany korneos
thank you
Anonymous
who is the band on the NRL Footy Show?
make me now happy
Currently the website is just a convenient place to post and collaborate on models used in fundamental equity research. Right now you can find versions of a LVLT model I am developing in the "Project" folder of that website.
site for Jovan
What are the real implications to huge debt beyond leaving it a younger generation of tax payers? Reason I ask is that I argued with a staunch Republican after the presidential election, and he asked me "what do you care about the national debt?", guess he was referring to my age (60 +). And being Mongo (not well informed), I did not have a good answer for him.
Anonymous
this show has just taken over from hey hey ist saturday there is very little football discussion and more rubbish from that idiot johns.without sterlo it is nothing and as for their stupid ante adds and dare devil acts no wonder your ratings are down get back to football which what it was about.we went from swimming to cricket to overseas jargon and it is the last time for me if you cant improve. maybe eddie should go before he is on the act