The Footy Show return: Fans mixed on Hutchy, what about AFLW?

UPDATE: LESS than 200,000 Melburnians tuned in to watch Craig Hutchison’s debut as co-host of The Footy Show and those that did watch have delivered a mixed review.

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LESS than 200,000 Melburnians tuned in to watch Craig Hutchison’s debut as co-host of Channel Nine’s The Footy Show.

Just 199,000 people watched The Footy Show in Melbourne, while 39,000 people in Adelaide tuned in, ratings figures show. A further 35,000 watched the show Perth.

Channel 10’s Gogglebox and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here won the timeslot in Melbourne with 276,000 and 266,000 viewers respectively.

The Footy Show had only a few more viewers than the ABC’s Dream Gardens which was watched by 174,000 people.

But The Footy Show was the fourth most watched show for viewers aged between 25-54.

The show was met with mixed reviews on social media.

All eyes were on Hutchison — or Hutchy — who replaced James Brayshaw for the first time in 2017.

Twitter lit up as Hutchy made his debut alongside fellow co-host Rebecca Maddern.

@Alfypurpkle wrote: “Hutchy a bad choice as JB replacement. No mojo whatsoever. 9 misses another opportunity to blood new talent #9AFLFootyShow”.

WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE FOOTY SHOW’S RETURN? COMMENT BELOW

@AFLFootyShow Stick to news breaking Hutchy. What a disjointed experience it was. Time to hang up the gloves people!

— Sam Martin (@sammygmartin74) March 9, 2017

Hutchy a bad choice as JB replacement. No mojo whatsoever. 9 misses another opportunity to blood new talent #9AFLFootyShow

— Alfy Purple (@alfypurple) March 9, 2017

Hmmm hutchy in pole pos? Not the best decision to raise dwindling ratings

— Dan Cic (@DanCic) March 9, 2017

#9AFLFootyShow Givin it every chance!! long time veiwer but struggling with hutchy n bec as main hosts.

— Ritchie Anderson (@RitchAnderson) March 9, 2017

Some tweeted in defence of Hutchison saying he had invigorated the program and gave Sam Newman a run for his money.

@brendydaboy said: “Give old man Hutchy his own segment #9AFLFootyShow”.

And @kelly1Judy wrote: “Awesome hosting debut from @craighutchy on @AFLFootyShow. Well Done Hutchy. #9AFLFootyShow”.

@AFLFootyShow @craighutchy Well I was wrong...nice work Hutchy and the footyshow!

— Hobo Productions (@realbenlogan) March 9, 2017

@AFLFootyShow Awesome hosting debut from @craighutchy on @AFLFootyShow. Well Done Hutchy. #9AFLFootyShow

— Judy Kelly (@Kelly1Judy) March 9, 2017

Give old man Hutchy his own segment #9AFLFootyShow

— Brendan (@brendydaboy) March 9, 2017

@AFLFootyShow @craighutchy Hutchy you look sensational with your weight loss. Keep going though as it is easy to put it back on. 👍👍👍👍

— knighty (@knighty609) March 9, 2017

But it my have been Newman’s head which stole the show, after he revealed within minutes of the show’s opening that he had completely shaved off his luscious head of hair.

Twitter quickly saw the humorous side, with some interesting comparisons.

To say Sam and @craighutchy had a rocky relationship is an understatement, let's hope they can repair it this year. #9AFLFootyShow pic.twitter.com/GCd13yB7Is

— The AFL Footy Show (@AFLFootyShow) March 9, 2017

@AFLFootyShow #9AFLFootyShow pic.twitter.com/QhRmJLM0OW

— W🎞📸 (@Will_Pics) March 9, 2017

@AFLFootyShow #9AFLFootyShow not sure if Sam Newman or Jean Luc Picard from Startrek pic.twitter.com/8lqEdMeune

— Nathan Bourne (@nathannbourne) March 9, 2017

Loving #SamNewmans new haircut #9AFLFootyShow pic.twitter.com/C7MEwWXKNG

— Sam Shepherd (@sshepher11) March 9, 2017

Sam Newman lookalike @AFLFootyShow #9AFLFootyShow pic.twitter.com/bBbu3dTdjc

— Trevor Wollard (@TrevorWollard) March 9, 2017

Presenters had almost reached the end of the two-hour timeslot before the AFL women’s competition was briefly mentioned in passing.

Austyn Wayne said: “Why isn’t an #AFLW player on the #9AFLFootyShow tonight? #sexist”

Has @AFLFootyShow done anything on the @aflwomens tonight? Or did I doze off when they gave credit where it's due? #9AFLFootyShow #AFLW

— Harriet Edmund (@HarrietEdmund) March 9, 2017

Why isn't an #AFLW player on the #9AFLFootyShow tonight? #sexist

— Austyn Wayne (@auswayne) March 9, 2017