Channel 9 journalist Sam McClure to fill Craig Hutchison’s seat on Footy Classified

Footy journalist Sam McClure’s next role has been decided after he farewelled his 3AW radio post. Find out more in the latest edition of Media Street.

Footy Classified has a new host with Sam McClure to replace Craig Hutchison on the Monday night edition.

McClure has been a regular in the hosting chair as a fill-in in recent times but industry sources have confirmed he will be the main man next year in what shapes as a fascinating AFL TV media landscape.

The full line-up for Monday night is yet to be confirmed with only McClure and original panellist Matthew Lloyd locked in at this stage.

A poaching raid by Channel 7 decimated Footy Classified with Kane Cornes, Caroline Wilson and Hutchison all moving to the rival network where they will go head-to-head next season.

News breaker Tom Morris is favourite to fill Wilson’s role but Nine is struggling to come up with a replacement for Cornes.

Craig Hutchison has moved to Channel 7. Picture: Jay Town

Former Adelaide captain Rory Sloane had been considered although that has cooled with ex-West Coast coach Adam Simpson knocking back the role because of the travel factor given he is remaining in Perth.

The midweek Footy Classified show will move from Wednesday to Tuesday nights next year with a new line-up.

Eddie McGuire remains as host with former Essendon champion James Hird making his return to TV after a long absence. Geelong’s Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel and journalist Damian Barrett round out the Tuesday night line-up.

Sam McClure.

McClure’s confirmation of his new TV role comes two weeks after he finished up as host of Wide World of Sports on 3AW.

He had been a feature of the station’s popular program since 2020 when he joined Gerard Healy as Sportsday co-host before taking over as the sole host in 2022 when Nine rebranded the show.

Bartel, a regular fill-in on 3AW’s breakfast show, will take over as host for the 6pm-7pm show in January.