Footy Show host takes swipe at Channel 7 rival in scorching rant

Tony Jones left his Footy Show co-hosts in stitches as he re-ignited a simmering feud during a surprisingly hostile rant.

One round into the 2023 AFL season and the gloves are off between Channel 7 and Channel 9.

Sport presenter Tony Jones on Sunday took a surprisingly heated swipe at his Channel 7 rival Tim Watson — re-igniting a grudge that has simmered for many years.

Jones slammed Watson — and Channel 7 for its AFL season promotions — during a rant on the Sunday Footy Show that left panellists Kane Cornes, Nathan Brown, Matthew Lloyd and Damien Barrett in stitches.

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Jones and Watson, the Essendon legend who has transitioned into a popular sport presenter on 7News’ 6pm bulletin, have frequently traded barbs in public in recent years and it appears Jones couldn’t resist throwing the first punch in 2023.

The 61-year-old hammered Seven for a promotional video where Watson promised viewers news from “inside” AFL venues and “inside the team rooms”.

Tony Jones landed the first punch. Photo Nine's Sunday Footy Show.

Jones then showed viewers a mash-up clip of Seven reporters, including meteorologist Jane Bunn, presenting from outside the MCG in the hours before Thursday night’s season opening draw between Richmond and Carltn at the MCG — and then he let his rival network have it.

He said his “old mate Timmy Watson” was “guilty by association”.

“When you pay billions (for the AFL TV rights) you would expect to get the front door key to the MCG,” Jones said.

“Here is Timmy telling us and all the other non-broadcast holders how we do it outside the game.

“Pretty compelling stuff. I had a look at their news on the opening night. Here is Blake Johnson, a senior reporter outside the ground. There is senior reporter Nick McCallum. Mitch Cleary, chief football reporter. Jane Bunn outside.

“Timmy, did you read the script properly? Well done, Seven for thinking outside the square.”

Cornes was left giggling and responded to the rant by saying: “Very strong start TJ. No prisoners kept”.

It was one of several feuds re-opened during the segment on the Sunday Footy Show with leading AFL journalist Damian Barrett also potting Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge.

Barrett and Beveridge have a frosty relationship stemming from the journalist’s questioning and reporting of issues such as the leaking of information from within the Bulldogs in 2015, and the absence of retired star Tom Boyd from the senior team in 2016 when he was disciplined internally because of a drunken incident with then-teammate Zaine Cordy.

Barrett last year eluded to an incident at the 2021 Brownlow Medal where he says Beveridge “did basically shoulder me”.

Barrett on Sunday poked fun at Beveridge for showing off some glistening white teeth — suggesting the veteran coach had joined Jones in having some cosmetic dentist work done.

Meanwhile, the beef between Jones and Watson goes back many years.

Tony Jones, Peter Hitchener and Livinia Nixon on set for National Nine News Melbourne at Channel Nine Studio Docklands. Picture: Channel 9

Seven News photo – Tim Watson, Peter Mitchell and Jane Bunn

The feud between the pair went public again in 2021 when Jones was shown a photo of Watson before remarking “who is it?” during a segment on The Footy Show.

That quip made its way to Watson who sneakily implied that Jones, known more commonly around AFL circles as “chompers”, had hair plugs.

Watson, who works on SEN alongside Garry Lyon was alerted to the footage by his co-host and came out swinging.

“What toupee Tony did? Did he play that did he?” Watson said.

Jones wasn’t happy with Watson’s retort and quickly fired back at the former Essendon superstar.

“The teeth might have had a bit of work but not the hair … if that’s a toupee then I want my money back.’’ he said.

“Garry Lyon has got to be the biggest (s***) stirrer going around at the moment. The tape that we played, which we’re not playing again by the way.”

Originally published as Footy Show host takes swipe at Channel 7 rival in scorching rant