Geelong champion Billy Brownless admits he could work with Garry Lyon again

FORMER Geelong champion Billy Brownless has opened the door to resuming work with one-time best mate Garry Lyon.

”Once we have that chat and go through it all, we will be able go from there.” Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

FORMER Geelong champion Billy Brownless has opened the door to resuming work with one-time best mate Garry Lyon.

Brownless has offered a conciliatory hand to Lyon who is set to return to TV next year on Footy Classified.

He said he was pleased that Lyon was getting his career back on track.

“That is good. That will be great for the show and it will be good for him too, I think,” Brownless said.

But he said there had still been no communication between them.

“Not as yet, but we will catch up before Christmas, I reckon,” he said.

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Asked if he would be open to the pair one day reuniting on The Footy Show, Brownless said: “Yes, once we have that chat and go through it all, we will be able go from there.”

But while Brownless appears ready to start rebuilding their friendship, the rift between the two popular football identities is far from healed.

They have not spoken since their deeply personal bust-up and Lyon will not be involved in The Footy Show in 2017.

The pair’s great friendship was shattered in February when it was revealed Lyon’s marriage had ended and he was romancing Nicky Brownless, who only months earlier suddenly separated from her husband Billy.

Brownless and Lyon had been longtime mates and their relaxed and entertaining banter had seen them find success working together on The Footy Show and on radio.

Brownless said he was pleased that Lyon was getting his career back on track. Picture: Mark Stewart.

Ruby and Lucy Brownless in the Birdcage this week. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Caroline Wilson, Garry Lyon, Craig Hutchison and Grant Thomas on the set of Footy Classified

However Lyon’s relationship with Nicky brought everything to an emotional and hurtful end, with Brownless stating he could not be part of The Footy Show if Lyon was involved in the program.

Lyon immediately stepped down from the show and has since sought help for what has been described by Nine as serious mental health issues.

He has been in seclusion for the past nine months as his TV and radio future was debated. His relationship with Nicky has endured.

The Footy Show team before the split — Billy Brownless, Sam Newman, Garry Lyon and James Brayshaw — pictured in 2014. Picture: Calum Robertson

Brownless, who was a celebrity guest of the Emirates marquee on the final day of the 2016 Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington yesterday, added he and Lyon should sit down to talk with each other ­before they could move on in a work capacity.

“We will obviously sit down and talk about all that,’’ he said.

While his TV future has become clear, it is still to be confirmed whether Lyon will have a permanent presence on radio next year.

He is hotly tipped to find a home at sports radio SEN, potentially co-hosting the breakfast shift.

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