Dylan Alcott says Footy Show needed a refurb and expected new host Lehmo is a great operator

New Footy Show recruit Dylan Alcott says the formerly popular AFL program needed to make changes when asked about the departure of show stalwart Sam Newman.

Footy Show recruit Dylan Alcott says the popular AFL program needs a “refurb.”

Alcott will join the Channel 9 show alongside an expected line up of Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann, Brendan Fevola, Shane Crawford and Neroli Meadows.

Former hosts Sam Newman and Eddie McGuire have stepped aside to focus on a series of footy specials.

Asked about Newman’s departure, Alcott, a Blues tragic, said: “I thought it was time for a refurb. I’m excited about the opportunity to do something new. I could probably get a kick for Carlton at the moment.

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Eddie McGuire and Sam Newman at the Grand Final Footy Show in 2018. Picture: Channel 9

“I get along great with Lehmo, we hosted the Invictus Games together, he’s a great operator and I know Fev well,” Alcott added.

“That’s why I signed up, we’re all good mates.”

The champion athlete has been sidling up to top politicians too.

“I went to a breakfast with ScoMo and Bill Shorten. I’m trying to educate them about what services disabled people need,” he said.

Alcott has also announced the second instalment of his Ability Fest at Coburg Velodrome on April 7. The line up includes The Presets, Kim Churchill, Eliza Hull (pictured with Alcott) and supergroup ARC made up of Spiderbait’s Kram, Powderfinger’s Darren Middleton, and Jet’s Mark Wilson.

Dylan Alcott with musician Eliza Hull who will perform at his Ability Festival. Picture: Tony Gough

Alcott’s long time mate, basketballer Liz Cambage, who recently said she’s struggling to pay off her mortgage, is also DJ’ing at Ability Fest.

“She doesn’t get paid as much as the male basketballers — it sucks — but it’s the same for women in the workplace. But she gets paid a lot more than me. Disabled sports people still barely make any money.”

Alcott split with long term partner Kate Lawrence last year. He’s been seen with a new love match at various events lately.

“I have a new girlfriend, it’s going well, that’s all I say.”

He’s also doing his best Eddie Everywhere impersonation, having joined the Hit Network for breakfast radio gig with Tanya Hennessy and Angus O’Loughlin.

“I’m loving the extra resources. The early alarm stings though,” he said.

“I get out of bed very poorly in the morning.”

His ABC-TV music show, The Set, is also set to return this year.

“I got nominated for a Logie for Best New Talent. I haven’t announced that yet.”