Footy showpiece

Marngrook Footy Show
ABC2 Thursdays 7.30pmTHURSDAY night boasts a must-watch football program, but don’t get it confused with Channel Nine’s must-yawn Footy Show – a production of such cynicism and arrogance that it makes many football fans shake their heads and wonder just who is still watching this dross and why?
No, the show in question is a celebration of all that is good about Australia’s national game.
The Marngrook Footy Show is similar in format to its ugly step-sister over at Channel Nine, but it’s a world apart in every other aspect.
Both programs have dual hosts, a panel of champion players, regular special guests and are filmed live in front of a studio audience.
Both shows nominally exist to reveal the selected teams and chat about the events of the week.
The biggest difference between the Marngrook Footy Show and the non-Marngrook footy show is their attitude to the game.
There seems to be little genuine (but plenty of confected) enjoyment on the Channel Nine set. Between constant opportunities to plug sponsors and special interests, the discussion centres on a scandal-of-the-week and jibes between panellists.
Add some pre-filmed segments and Sam Newman’s interviews with often mentally challenged people and you have a remote-control grabbing mix of tedium and sheer embarrassment.
Over on ABC2, there is a genuine joy about proceedings.
Former St Kilda and Brisbane star Gilbert McAdam plays wacky co-host with straight man Grant Hansen, who started the show on community television back in 1997. Regular panellists include former Geelong goal sneak Ronnie Burns, AFL journeyman Alan Thorpe and Fitzroy/Brisbane champion Chris Johnson. Leila Gurriwiwi and Shelley Ware provide light-hearted pre-filmed segments.
The show was orginally designed to provide a voice for indigenous football, but it seems to have crossed over to celebrate all things AFL.
There’s definitely an Aboriginal focus, with indigenous player names being highlighted on team sheets for instance, but the show in no way excludes the broader game.
It’s plenty professional enough without, thankfully, being too slick. It’s more World of Sport than Wide World of Sports.
With the exception of Hansen, the panel members are clearly enthusiastic amateurs, more intent on entertaining the audience than preserving their corporate image.
Sadly, some narrow-minded folk will bleat about “typical ABC focus on minorities etc….”. These people, as the narrow-minded often do, have completely missed the point – Marngrook is all about enjoying football.
Maybe Sam, Billy, Garry and the gang should tune-in some time to see what they have lost in their relentless pursuit of the almighty dollar. – Danny Buttler