Eddie McGuire’s AFL Footy Show return well-received, but Dave Hughes not so much

THE AFL Footy Show has come out on top of the ratings war, beating timeslot opponent The Front Bar in its second week. But there’s still a reason why people are switching off the Channel 9 show.

• IS SAM NEWMAN’S THREE-COACH TRADE HIS CRAZIEST IDEA YET?
• THE FOOTY SHOW RETURNS WITH EDDIE MCGUIRE BACK IN THE HOSTING ROLE

THE Footy Show’s second week was still a rating’s winner, despite losing 82,000 viewers.

But the revamped Channel 9 show still easily beat it’s timeslot opponent The Front Bar on Channel 7.

The show averaged 299,000 viewers in Melbourne on Thursday night, compared to 381,000 for the much talked about debut of Eddie McGuire returning to hosting chair last week.

Fans are still giving Eddie McGuire's return to The Footy Show the thumbs up. Picture: Channel 9

The Footy Show still easily beat The Front Bar on Channel 7, which averaged 164,000 viewers on Thursday night.

A fresh look and the return of Eddie McGuire continues to be well-received by The Footy Show fans, but one cast member continues to annoy.

Many viewers took to social media to announce the show had recaptured some of its mojo since its well-hyped revamp.

Footy show is back!! Ed makes such a difference 😂 #aflfootyshow

— Stacker (@Toddandreww) August 17, 2017

It's actually funny again 😂 #aflfootyshow

— Katie (@ktdenise) August 17, 2017

So good having the old #AFLFootyShow back! Now bring back, Trev!

— Ollie (@ollie_lynch) August 17, 2017

Sam Newman’s crazy idea of a three-way coach trade involving Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, Dockers coach Ross Lyon and Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was met with approval from the crowd, McGuire was less than enthused.

Sam Newman on The Footy Show on Thursday night. Picture: Channel 9

He once again denied his club had any contact with Lyon about a potential move to the Holden Centre.

“It is a total lie. There has been no discussion with any coach,” he said.

“Nothing is happening. I get sick of all this. Brad Scott was going to coach Collingwood, then Paul Roos was in there.”

Viewers appreciated a closer look at AFL players, with a laid-back appearance by Melbourne Demon Jayden Hunt particularly well received online.

Jayden Hunt looks a bit of fun! Says what he wants. I like it. New footy show is good! #aflfootyshow

— John Donohoe (@jdonohoe12) August 17, 2017

Great start to the show tonight Jayden hunts old man just took the cake! #bigmiddlefinger #aflfootyshow

— Olly brown (@49Olly) August 17, 2017

Good start to the footy show. Jayden Hunt is a rippa haha, need a few more players on the show that we don't know much about! #aflfootyshow

— Imii (@iceni95) August 17, 2017

And a candid interview with Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, who pointed to the banning on the ‘third man up’ rule as a factor in his team’s form slump this year, was also given the thumbs up.

For the most part viewers happy to see program delivering laughs and finding its old rhythm after a difficult period.

But, while McGuire has made a positive impact with viewers, comedian Dave Hughes continued to annoy.

@AFLFootyShow The footy show was gr8 until this poor excuse of a comedian "Hughes" cone on & now destroyed the show !! #welldonechannelnine

— Peter Chivers (@gothemightypies) August 17, 2017

Get him off the footy show. Dave Hughes's. His voice is so annoying. He looks like his head is about to explode. #getridofhughes #footyshow

— Carole Milner (@dazlcaz) August 17, 2017

Hughesy needs to be right off the footy show asap.... crickets heard 2 weeks in a row. #aflfootyshow #easeupturbo #stopyellingmate

— Dan Ryan (@dan_ryan27) August 17, 2017

If you think Hughesy is bad on the footy show u should see how much worse his stand up comedy performances are

— James Arshid (@james_arshid9) August 17, 2017

Did Hughes nail his routine? Watch below and have your say.

 Read more: Dave Hughes cops it on Twitter for Footy Show performance... again

Hughesy has sent ALL THREE of our panellists 'Back To The Twos'! #9AFLFootyShow pic.twitter.com/Cd8SjJiRxW

— The AFL Footy Show (@AFLFootyShow) August 17, 2017