Rebecca Maddern defends new co-host Craig Hutchison as The Footy Show returns

REBECCA Maddern has come to the defence of her new Footy Show co-host Craig Hutchison saying critics should reserve judgment on his appointment until tonight’s season opener.

Stars of The Footy Show Billy Brownless, Craig Hutchison, Rebecca Maddern and Sam Newman.

REBECCA Maddern has come to the defence of her new Footy Show co-host Craig Hutchison saying critics should reserve judgment on his appointment until tonight’s season opener.

The popular program’s leading lady should know — she too received a barrage of criticism before her highly anticipated debuton the show in April last year.

“Hutchy is an incredible businessman, an incredible TV host and his reach into the world of football on the field and off the field is really second to none, so he is going to bring something pretty powerful to The Footy Show,” she said.

Between die hard Cats fans Maddern and Hutchison, and former stars Sam Newman and Billy Brownless, the regular panel is now shamelessly Geelong-mad.

While they agree on who’s the greatest team of them all, a new addition, combined with the show’s unscripted format is expected to enhance the usual “fireworks”.

“I don’t know what to expect (from the new dynamic) to be honest and that’s the beautiful thing about The Footy Show ... we don’t rehearse things so everything is spur of the moment,” Maddern said.

“We also don’t gag anyone from expressing their opinion which I think is a real strength of the show.

“We don’t sit down and discuss prior to the show where we stand on a particular issue or what side of the argument we will take because we want it to be authentic.”

Madden said she is a lot more “at ease” heading into the first episode of 2017, which will air on Channel Nine at 8.30pm tonight, with Brownlow Medalist Patrick Dangerfield as a guest.

“I think I can relax into the role a little bit. I don’t have to prove myself, I can fully just be me, and that’s really liberating as a host,” she said.