Sam Newman, Garry Lyon face Supreme Court grilling in Susan Alberti defamation

SAM Newman and Garry Lyon face a Supreme Court grilling in a dramatic defamation trial brought against them and Channel 9.

THE Footy Show stars Sam Newman and Garry Lyon face a Supreme Court grilling in a dramatic defamation trial brought against them and Channel 9.

The Herald Sun can reveal Western Bulldogs director Susan Alberti will confront the pair in a 10-day hearing from November 16.

The trial extends from an infamous 2008 Footy Show segment where Newman manhandled a lingerie-clad mannequin in a send-up of prominent footy journalist Caroline Wilson.

Dr Alberti was among a group of senior female AFL figures who wrote a letter of complaint to Nine bosses condemning the stunt.

The group called for The Footy Show cast to be counselled on their attitude towards women.

Signatories included AFL club board members, Sally Capp (Collingwood), Beverly Knight (Essendon), Lynn Ralph (Sydney), Sue Nattrass (Melbourne) and Janine Allis (Hawthorn).

But co-host Lyon publicly questioned the letter's credibility, alleging Ms Capp had said she did not want her name included. He also said that Dr Alberti had bought two tables in The Footy Show audience after the Newman skit.

Newman also weighed in, describing the group of AFL women as "liars and hypocrites". The former Geelong star went on to query the role of women in football-related matters.

"They serve very little purpose at board level. What do they do?" Newman said.

In a writ filed with the Supreme Court, Dr Alberti, a prominent businesswoman, alleges Channel 9 had defamed her.

She has engaged a high-powered legal team led by Will Houghton, QC, and is seeking damages and aggravated damages.

The network will argue that Newman and Lyon's comments were honestly held opinion based on "substantially true" facts.

Wilson has since accepted an apology from Nine.