AFL coaches Alastair Clarkson, Damien Hardwick encouraged Marty Sheargold’s extended radio break

Radio host Marty Sheargold returned to the airwaves after an extended break, saying AFL premiership coaches Alastair Clarkson and Damien Hardwick warned he’d “burn out”.

Radio host Marty Sheargold returned to the airwaves on Monday morning after taking extended leave after an AFL Grand Final lunch controversy.

Radio host Marty Sheargold returned after an extended break on Monday morning, saying he drew inspiration from AFL coaches Alastair Clarkson and Damien Hardwick.

In mid-October Sheargold took leave to focus on his mental health.

It followed an incident at the AFL grand final when there were complaints about his behaviour and he left the match at halftime.

On Triple M’s The Marty Sheargold Show, alongside anchor Troy Ellis and producer Loren Barry, Sheargold thanked his employer, Southern Cross Austereo, and his team.

“I survived, I took an extended break at the end of last year,’’ Sheargold said.

Triple M host Marty Sheargold enjoyed a long lunch with media folk Titus O’Reily, Tom Gleeson, Anthony Lehmann, Adam Rozenbachs. Picture: Instagram

“Very kindly offered to me by the company and I accept it. Thank you to Anthony Lehmann for filling in, good on you Lehms, thank you for all of your support my direct team. And the company more broadly were wonderful.

“I just realised I’d absolutely burnt myself out over the last couple of years. You know who I was inspired by actually, Alastair Clarkson and Damien Hardwick, two men last year that put their hand up and said I need a break. I thought you know what, I actually need a break, you know 21st year on air this year. Milestone year, I thought you know what I need (is) a couple months off.”

Sheargold described his break as wonderful and said he’d never been better.

Marty Sheargold, Bruce McAvaney and Loren Barry. Picture: Instagram

In his typical comedic style, he joked about wearing the dirtiest shorts in Australia, having hot flushes with a change of life and doing heroin.

“I’m so happy for you, you’re glowing,’’ Barry said.

Sheargold was out and about before Christmas, pictured with Barry and having lunch with a group of fellow comedians.

Many other radio teams returned to air on Monday, including FOX FM’s Fifi, Fev and Nick who aired an interview Brendan Fevola did with tennis legend Andre Agassi at the Australian Open. Fevola drew some laughs from Agassi wearing a blonde wig in tribute to the former champ’s old hairstyle.

3AW’s Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft were also back on air, with Tom Elliott to begin as host of mornings and Jacqui Felgate to helm drive.

But Kyle and Jackie O’s much anticipated debut in Melbourne has been delayed despite their return to Sydney radio.

Byron Cooke is filling in on KIIS FM breakfast until they take over.