The Footy Show’s host Craig Hutchison’s plan to get match-fit for new host gig

FORGET ‘Eddie Everywhere’, it’s time for the year of Craig Hutchison. And the new Footy Show host reckons he might need to hit the treadmill to get himself TV-ready.

HE has no intention of trying to handle Sam Newman, says Bec Maddern is a bona-fide star and thinks having a day off is overrated.

If you thought Eddie McGuire was “Eddie Everywhere”, get ready for the year of Craig Hutchison.

With Hutchy what you see is what you get.

BRAYSHAW DUMPED BY CHANNEL 9

Hutchison says he had no plans to host before last week.

Hutchy on the bench during an EJ Whitten Legends game.

“People will either like me, or hate me” he says in his new role as The Footy Show co-host alongside Maddern. They’ve known each other for 15 odd years.

“Television is an opinion game. I don’t take offence at the comments from some people. The proof will be in the pudding,” Hutchy told Page 13 in his first interview following news of the plum role.

“I know I’m not short of an opinion. I’ll do the best job I can and I’ll be myself. But equally I’m not everyone’s cup of tea and that’s okay.”

Hutchy says it wasn’t until last Sunday that he even considered hosting a live TV program like The Footy Show, but that when an offer like that falls in your lap you have to take it and be “humbly honoured” to be part of such an institution.

Meanwhile he will be spending summer getting match-fit.

AFLW TO GET THEIR OWN FOOTY SHOW

Newman and Hutchison will be teaming up again.

He may need to ask Liam Pickering, his SEN Off The Bench buddy and AFL agent for a few tips on sticking to his 5:2 diet.

Hutchy reckons he will be spending a bit of time on the treadmill to get TV ready.

“Given I had no aspirations to be a prime-time television host a week ago, clearly I am going to need to get fit,” he laughed.

“I’ll be eating responsibly.”

HUTCHY TO JOIN FOOTY SHOW AS CO-HOST

He can’t wait to return to Footy Classified with his “great mate” Garry Lyon and said the two were chatting up a storm earlier this week.

He will still keep up the radio shows and podcasts and work on his Crocmedia empire as chief executive as they look after AFL radio broadcasting rights next year.

But one gig he will let go of is the AFL Sunday Footy Show. Who will host that is anyone’s guess but Page 13’s bet is on either Nathan Brown, Shane Crawford, Billy Brownless or Tony Jones.

The changing footy landscape almost complete. It’s been quite a game watching the tight-knit AFL boys club of yesteryear recruit new players. Can’t wait for the bounce next season.