Time On: Craig Hutchison defends SEN after revelations of loan complications

Craig Hutchison says SEN has “never been in better nick” after revelations of a $9.2m loss and complications on a $28m bank loan.

Craig Hutchison has defended the strength of his business empire. Picture: Jay Town

Time On is your daily wrap-up of all the footy gossip and banter.

Craig Hutchison has defended his business after the Herald Sun revealed his company was at risk of the Commonwealth Bank calling in a $28m loan.

The SEN boss said he was inundated with messages after returning from LA on Friday.

“We are an incredibly strong business, we’ve never been in better nick,’’ Hutchison said on his Off The Bench program on Saturday morning.

“Our year just gone we made $4.8m EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) there’s some accounting losses and some adjustments that get made in evaluation … we would have liked to have done better.

“Our finance position is no different than what it was 3-4 years ago. Health of the business has never been stronger. In fact we turned over a tick under $128m.”

Documents filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission state that CBA had the right to seek “immediate settlement” of the $28m loan — due in August next year — that underwrites Hutchison’s SEN radio network, the Perth Wildcats and a Super Netball league team.

His company Sports Entertainment Group posted a $9.2 million loss in the year to June 30.

Craig Hutchison has defended the health of his business. Picture: Getty

Sports Entertainment Group’s preliminary final report states that the company had to ask for “covenant relief” from the bank in the June quarter of this year.

“The covenant relief confirmed that the bank did not exercise its right to request immediate settlement of the liability,” the report said.

Hutchison said it was his job to do better.

“It’s just a tax on living in this town at times unfortunately,’’ he said.

“I saw (the story) drop on my phone and I was in LA and I had about a 15-hour ride, I thought my phone is going to go off like a pinball machine here.

“It was a good insight into what would happen if you were still alive to see your own funeral (with) condolences texts.

“We are in an incredibly strong spot and have never had more momentum than we do now.

“It’s my job to do a better job so I will.”

Robbo’s brutal vent

Former Demons high-flyer Russell Robertson hasn’t missed anyone in the wake of Melbourne’s straight sets finals exit.

Just weeks after hitting back at Kane Cornes for his criticism of coach Simon Goodwin, Robertson took to Facebook again, claiming Angus Brayshaw was “brutally taken out” and blaming the team’s personnel issues.

“Melbourne supporters, don’t be too disheartened by the noise,’’ he wrote.

“People will say it’s a choke, reporters will use words like underachieving, greatest blunder and even point fingers at personal. Facts are this, injuries to key players all year especially forward of centre held back our momentum.

“Salem missed half a year, Oliver, Fritch. We lost Petty and Melksham, goal kickers. Roo misses a week, Brayshaw brutally taken out. August and September is a time for stability and gaining momentum, none of which we had for two years in a row now.

“To win you need a perfect situation. So don’t listen to the shit people throw at you, understand our situation, congratulate them on their team’s success, know you are not like them who boo players like Carlton supporters did last night (weak) and know in your heart that these green little goblins out there last night should never umpire again. Sorry I had to finish with some sort of footy supporters comment.”

Russell Robertson has taken a shot at critics of his old club on social media.

Kekovich goes rogue on Footy Show

Footy great Sam Kekovich went rogue on live television to air his opposition to the Indigenous Voice referendum on The Sunday Footy Show.

The Kangaroos champion was being interviewed in the first segment of the show to pay tribute to legend Ron Barassi after his passing on Saturday.

Kekovich, who was coached by Barassi during the Kangaroos’ 1975 premiership season, spoke highly of Barassi before making an inpromptu diversion.

When asked about the growing support for the AFL premiership cup to be renamed the Ron Barassi Cup, the Australia Day ‘lambassador’ replied: “I’ve been asked this numerous times.

Sam Kekovich says naming the AFL premiership cup after Ron Barassi is a ‘no-brainer’.

It’s probably a no-brainer. But is that a big enough recognition?

“I reckon you could rename the country after Barassi. You know they want to change the course of our history. Well why don’t you p … that off and name Australia Barassi Country.

I reckon it would be unanimous. We wouldn’t have to have a referendum. I don’t know what more you can do but a premiership cup is certainly apt.

“Whatever you do, don’t ask the politicians in this country please.”

Kekovich also caused a tense moment when he brought up panellist Matthew Lloyd’s controversial celebration with his Haileybury premiership team. He was quickly cut off by host Tony Jones.

Gill serves up laughs at Pang’s expense

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has further stoked his long-running banter battle with TV personality Sam Pang.

The outgoing boss took another dig at The Front Bar host with the comedian no doubt preparing to return fire and roast McLachlan when he’s a guest on the show’s upcoming Grand Final edition.

Last week McLachlan said Carlton last made the finals a decade ago when Pang was actually funny and on Friday night he drew plenty of laughs before Melbourne and Carlton did battle at the MCG.

Sam Pang will no doubt get his own back when McLachlan appears on The Front Bar’s Grand Final special. Picture: Supplied

“I was texted this afternoon by a friend, (saying) I can’t remember a single day ever this city being so up and about and it’s a sentiment shared by many,’’ McLachlan said to a function room full of VIP guests.

“Even those who strive every day to find something negative about our game are struggling to find something. This game sold out in minutes, only 3000 tickets got to go to the general public. I even had people pretending to be my friend to get tickets: it’s nice to see Sam Pang here again. Sam Pang is like the new Meatloaf, you say it and you get a laugh.”

McLachlan also made a humorous reference to Melbourne supporters launching a class action against the MCC for “running out of cheese platters”.

He told the story of how legendary coach David Parkin cut him from Carlton’s supplementary list in 1995.

“So anyone who was on that list was a bit like tonight’s Auskickers saying they played in an AFL semi-final,’’ he said.

“Can make a case it’s technically true but everyone knows the reality.

“Parko just cut me as he was walking on his way to his office to the showers. He was obviously so concerned about the conversation he forgot his towel. It was quite a confronting sight considering personal grooming wasn’t what it is today. I remember it well Parko.”

Jonathan Brown says his axing from North Melbourne was a shock. Picture: Supplied

Browny blindsided by Roos cull

Jonathan Brown says it was news to him that he’d been cut as a part-time coach at North Melbourne.

The Fox Footy commentator did some work with All-Australian forward Nick Larkey and promising young forward Eddie Ford this year.

“I worked a fair bit with Larks but I was there for about three seconds for the year,’’ he said on Triple M’s Saturday Rub.

“It was news to me because I haven’t heard from anyone. It was news to (footy manager) Todd Viney as well. The most important thing for Clarko (coach Alastair Clarkson) is to get back and get that coaching set up right going forward and he’ll probably want most of his team to be full-time.

“I’m really looking forward to watching North Melbourne, whether I’m involved or not, and with another pre-season, I actually think they’re going to improve quite dramatically.”

Giant’s mum steal the post-game show

Toby Bedford, his mum Mel and Eddie Betts on Fox Footy.

Giants midfielder Toby Bedford’s mum stole the show post-game on Saturday night.

Bedford tried to shoo her away to no avail when he was being interviewed by Fox Footy’s Eddie Betts.

But proud Mel didn’t hold back: “The Pies are quaking, cause the earth is shaking”.

Bedford appeared embarrassed by his mum crashing the interview.

She then re-emerged when Stephen Coniglio was being interviewed: “Let’s go for the Granny, we got it boys.”