Shane Crawford leaves Channel Nine

After over 20 years with Nine, Shane Crawford has left the network. The Footy Show star has turned down a 2022 contract stating it was “time to head in a different direction”.

Shane Crawford has been part of multiple Channel 9 programs. Picture: Channel 9

Shane Crawford has quit Channel 9 after a diverse and celebrated career with the network that spanned more than 20 years.

Crawford, who was a key part of The Footy Show from 1997 - 2019, declined a new offer from 9 at the end of last year and has officially signed off from the network.

“We have shaken hands and we are all good, it is just time to head in a different direction,” Crawford said.

“By not committing to Channel 9, yes, it takes me out of doing certain shows that I really enjoy, but it frees me up.

“I am not running off to go and join something else. I am going to step up my work with AIA Vitality and will continue to create content for Tabcorp and I want to finish my passion project which is the documentary on Ardmona football club.”

The boys from 'The Footy Show'. (L-R) Billy Brownless, Garry Lyon, James Brayshaw, Sam Newman and Shane Crawford.

“It is the first time I have really pushed the stop button.”

Nine was keen to re-sign Crawford and feature him across Today, Sports Sunday, Postcards and the Australian Open.

He was not going to be part of a new look Ninja Warrior Australia as 9 opted to refresh the entire Ninja hosting team following the departure of Rebecca Maddern and Ben Fordham late last year.

Crawford, who was a huge supporter of the ninja competitors, was the show’s sideline reporter for the past two seasons and co-hosted several episodes last year.

'The Footy Show' faces of 1998.

Crawford’s work at 9 included The Footy Show, Ninja Warrior Australia, Postcards, WB Kids, Getaway, Today, Wide World Of Sports and Celebrity Apprentice Australia.

“I have had a great relationship with 9 and I am very thankful for the opportunities and I would like to think I have contributed a bit as well,” Crawford said.

“The highlight for me was being able to raise money for the BCNA (Breast Cancer Network Australia) by walking from Adelaide to Melbourne in 2010 and then the ‘Tour de Crawf’ bike ride from Melbourne to Perth in 2013.

“We raised almost $2 million for BCNA through those events and I would not have been able to do it without 9’s support, which was incredible. That is my proudest moment at 9.

“The other highlight was Sam Newman’s pants falling down on TV (when Crawford dacked him in 2001).”

The launch of Victorian travel show Postcards latest season in 2021. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

“I remember looking over to see the boss of the show, Eddie McGuire, rolling on the ground and me, as the captain of the Hawthorn Football Club at the time, thinking, ‘I think I just lost my job at Channel 9 and I think I just got the sack from the footy club’.”

Matt James, Managing Director of Nine Melbourne, said the door would always remain open at 9 for Crawford.

“Shane is an incredible talent and has become somewhat of an institution here at Nine Melbourne,” James said.

“His cheeky sense of humour has endeared him to viewers across a range of programs over the years. While we’re sorry to see Shane go, the door always remains open should the right opportunity present itself in the future.”