Time On: Is Luke Darcy on the Liberal Party’s wishlist?

Luke Darcy says he’s not entertaining a run at politics, but many in the footy industry are adamant that he’s on the Liberal Party’s wishlist.

Time On is your Monday wrap-up of all the footy gossip from the weekend.

Is Luke Darcy preparing for a tilt in politics?

The former Western Bulldogs ruckman and current board member is adamant he is not but his radio colleagues are firm in their view that Darcy is on the Liberals’ future wishlist.

The word was put out by Craig Hutchison last week on The Sounding Board podcast that Darcy was positioning himself for a run.

“How many times do you think Luke’s been approached for preselection over the years and said no I’ll just wait … he’s very good with his timing,’’ Hutchison said.

“I would be putting it out there that he’s one of the future Liberals that might bob his head up at some stage.”

Hutchison’s news pricked the ears of his co-host Damian Barrett who brought it up with Darcy on Triple M’s Friday Huddle, with Nathan Brown saying confidently: “The Liberal party see you as a strong, smart, educated person who can influence people ... I think that is a good thing”.

Luke Darcy says he’s not entertaining a run at politics. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Craig Hutchison has floated Darcy as a potential Liberal candidate.

Despite the banter and encouragement, Darcy was staunchly adamant that he has no allegiance, has not been asked and wouldn’t entertain the idea even if he was.

What did emerge though is that Darcy, who had a poster of Josh Frydenberg on his front lawn before the election, has introduced incoming opposition leader Peter Dutton to meditation.

“Can I only say no. Fact is it hasn’t happened,’’ Darcy said of an approach to run for politics.

“I feel aligned to good leadership. I’m massive on the fact we need good leadership on a national and state level.”

Regarding Frydenberg he said: “That’s supporting an individual who I know well and who lives around the street from me.”

Regarding Dutton he said: “We have a mutual friend who I’ve had the great privilege of having dinner with ... a sensational guy, ex police officer ... I’ll endorse him as an outstanding person any day of the week ... done an amazing job and one of the most misunderstood people in politics.”

Going by the widespread plaudits Darcy won for his hard line questioning of Premier Daniel Andrews during lockdown, he’d get the people’s vote.

Who steps into hot seat seat?

Some new names have been thrown into the mix to host the Sunday Footy Show in Tony Jones’ absence.

Jones soon heads to Wimbledon leaving his chair vacant.

The smart money is on Nathan Brown to step up, but also mentioned at the weekend were the likes of Andy Lee, Peter Hitchener, Alicia Loxley, Alicia Muling, Sam McClure, Damian Barrett and even Bec Judd.

Brown said he’d be up to the task if it was offered to him.

“It’s about getting the best out of the people around you and I think I can do that,’’ Brown said.

Nathan Brown is ready to take the helm of Sunday Footy Show.

Birds of a feather

Hawthorn greats are gathering together for the first time in 20 years next week.

More than 50 big names are expected to attend after former star Joel Smith organised the big catch up.

Those on the list include Paul Salmon, Shane Crawford, Jonathan Hay, Trent Croad, Peter Schwab, John Barker and coach Sam Mitchell. Daniel Chick is also believed to be among some of the big names from the early 2000s who will make the event.

Richo the ‘girl dad”

Richmond great Matthew Richardson is a proud “girl dad” after the birth of his and wife Genevieve’s third daughter.

“We’re so thrilled to have welcomed Ella Mae Richardson into the world,’’ the Channel 7 commentator told Time On.

“Her two older sisters are very excited to have a new baby in the house.

“Happy to share that Dad and the family cat, Kev, have been relegated to the shed to make room for all the girls.”

Matthew Richardson and his wife, Genevieve, have welcomed their third daughter.

Footy fight

Network Ten and their streaming partner Paramount Plus have confirmed their interest in broadcasting AFL.

The new rights deal isn’t due until 2025 but it’s well known AFL chief Gillon McLachlan and his cohorts held high-level meetings in New York recently.

Beverley McGarvey, executive vice president and chief content officer at Paramount Australia and New Zealand, (owner of Network 10) said they are putting forward an attractive pitch.

“If I was the AFL, I’d like that pitch, but who knows where things go, and it has to be a real option for us to pursue,’’ she said.

McGarvey added: “We’ve always said we are very interested, tactically, in all sports. We have looked at everything as it becomes available, including A League and FA. So, of course, we will look at the AFL. We have publicly said, should that become a viable option, we will absolutely look at it.

“The difference now, from a year ago, or two years ago, is we have multiple platforms, and it’s worked really well for the A League in that we have certain content in front of the paywall, which includes the reach of the game, and it gets it in front of that broad audience.

“We can super-serve that audience on Paramount Plus, and play all of the fixtures. When you look at that model, it’s a model that works for many, many sports. You get reach, and that big broad church on free to air, but you can get super served on a streaming service.”