Uncertainty over Footy Classified revamp after departure of Nine Melbourne boss Matt Scriven
Plans for drastic changes at Channel 9 flagship Footy Classified continue to hit snags, with the departure of a key figure causing more grief for the expanded format.
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The much-anticipated revamp of Footy Classified has hit yet another hurdle.
It’s been a summer of uncertainty for the Channel 9 football program after it was decided at the end of last season that drastic changes were required.
The latest curve ball came last week when the man who was driving the expansion of the popular show suddenly quit.
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Matt Scriven, the managing director of Nine Melbourne, has decided to step away after more than two years in the role, citing family reasons.
He had been the one putting all the moving pieces in place behind-the-scenes with his exit bringing a new level of anxiousness about the state of the show.
What we do know is that Scriven was planning to have Classified on Monday and Wednesday nights, most likely in a more prime time slot.
Original host Craig Hutchison would remain in charge of the Monday show with Collingwood president Eddie McGuire taking the reins on Wednesday.
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Caroline Wilson, who along with Hutchison have been with the show since its inception in 2007, would feature on both nights.
Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd would also do both with Chris Judd’s replacement in the second expert’s chair to be shared.
Former Fremantle coach Ross Lyon will make his television debut on Wednesday nights while Sunday Football Show panellist Kane Cornes would do the Monday shift.
New Sports Today host Sam McClure will also have a role with the program, mainly as a fill-in host across the season.
McClure last week started as Gerard Healy’s co-host on 3AW’s nightly program. He replaced Dwayne Russell who has moved across to SEN where he has his own afternoon show.
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Originally published as Uncertainty over Footy Classified revamp after departure of Nine Melbourne boss Matt Scriven