Marty out, Dobbo in: Triple M’s wild radio shake-up stuns fans

Just five months after scrapping Brisbane’s beloved Rush Hour for Marty Sheargold, Triple M has brought back its locally produced Rush Hour show.

Triple M's 'The Rush Hour' with Dobbo and Elliott. Photo: SCA.

In a dramatic reversal, Triple M has resurrected its locally produced Brisbane Rush Hour drive show, just five months after controversially axing it to make way for Marty Sheargold.

The return of Ben “Dobbo” Dobbin and Elliott Lovejoy to the 4-6pm drive slot marks a full-circle moment for Triple M, and a quiet win for local listeners who see the move as a satisfying course correction.

The decision follows Sheargold’s abrupt departure from the network in February after remarks about the Matildas and women’s sport triggered national outrage, including condemnation from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Dobbin, who originally helmed the Brisbane Rush Hour alongside Olympic gold medallist Liesel Jones and sports journalist Liam Flanagan, said he was thrilled to be “driving Queenslanders home again”.

“This show is all about sport, opinion, and Queensland pride – and trust me, Elliott and I are not afraid to go head-to-head,” he said.

The move also marks another major milestone in Dobbin’s post-Rush Hour comeback, after he launched Triple M NRL Daily in February, a specialist footy program airing across Queensland and New South Wales, and his first solo venture since recovering from a serious spinal injury last year.

Liam, Leisel Jones & Dobbo. Picture: Triple M

The new-look show, launching April 28, will air across metro and regional Queensland and feature a rotating cast of powerhouse NRLW stars including Ali Brigginshaw, Romy Teitzel, Jaime Chapman and Mackenzie Weale.

Lovejoy, who previously co-hosted Rush Hour with AB and Elliott, which aired across Cairns,

Townsville, Mackay & Whitsundays, Central Queensland, Bundaberg, Fraser Coast and the Darling Downs, called the statewide opportunity a full-circle moment.

“I’ve lived in Brisbane, Cairns and everywhere in between. To now speak to the whole state every afternoon with some of the sharpest minds in rugby league is a privilege,” he said.

The backflip comes just months after Dobbin, Jones and Flanagan’s version of Rush Hour was axed, despite the trio maintaining a strong average market share of 11.42 per cent throughout 2024 in Brisbane’s competitive drive slot.

The decision to replace them with Sheargold sparked backlash from fans, radio insiders and industry veterans who criticised the move away from local content in a state known for its fierce loyalty to homegrown voices.

Rush Hour with AB and Elliott, which was a ratings leader in regional Queensland, was also pulled at the end of 2024 to make way for Sheargold’s now-defunct show.

At the time, Jones told fans she was “devastated”, while Dobbin admitted the decision left the team “shocked” after what they believed was the beginning of a decade-long run.

While Dobbin stayed in Brisbane to front new NRL programs, former co-hosts Jones and Flanagan have since relocated to the Gold Coast, taking on new roles with Triple M Gold Coast Breakfast.

Marty Sheargold left Triple M after remarks about the Matildas and women’s sport sparked outrage. Picture: Supplied/Triple M

In his first and only ‘almost full’ radio survey period at the helm of Triple M’s national drive show, Sheargold failed to win over Brisbane listeners.

In the January 19 to March 1 ratings period — from which he was removed just days before its conclusion — Triple M Brisbane’s drive share dropped by a staggering 1.6 points, landing at 9.7 per cent. That’s down from the 11.3 per cent scored by Dobbo, Jones and Flanagan in their final survey before being axed in late 2024.

Now, SCA appears to be doubling down on state-based content in a bid to win back audiences, and rebuild its reputation after months of controversy.

“Creating these two new shows specifically for Triple M New South Wales and Queensland NRL fans continues Triple M’s commitment as a premium partner to the NRL,” SCA Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron said in the announcement.

“Triple M’s Rush Hour brand is already synonymous with compelling sport-focused shows nationally for the drive home … Triple M remains the home of Australia’s biggest sporting codes with these new show launches for NSW and Queensland.”

Today’s announcement also includes a separate NSW Rush Hour featuring former Eels captain Nathan Hindmarsh and veteran broadcaster Anthony Maroon.

Originally published as Marty out, Dobbo in: Triple M’s wild radio shake-up stuns fans