New-look AFL Footy Show no match for The Front Bar in early ratings battle

All eyes were on Channel 9’s rebooted The Footy Show last night but the early signs aren’t good, with Channel 7’s The Front Bar hammering the new-look show in early ratings.

Neroli Meadows has taken over as host of The Footy Show. Picture: Getty Images

Channel 7 has again won the ratings war in its head-to-head battle of footy shows, with The Front Bar slamming a new-look The Footy Show in their 2019 debuts.

All eyes were on Channel 9’s rebooted format last night and, despite bigger numbers than last year’s all-time low figures, the early signs aren’t great for the Nine Network.

Figures released this morning show The Front Bar averaged 278,000 viewers — hovering between 250,000 to 285,000 from 9pm til 10pm — compared to 193,000 for The Footy Show.

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Nationally, the news didn’t get much better for The Footy Show.

It averaged 343,000 viewers compered to 511,000 for The Front Bar.

Worryingly for Nine, The Footy Show shed 172,000 viewers from 9pm to 10pm in Melbourne.

TV ratings are in...

Melbourne viewers@thefrontbar7 278,000@AFLFootyShow 193,000

The Footy Show coming off the #MAFS lead in.

— Damian Tardio (@damiantardio) March 20, 2019

After months of speculation and hype surrounding the show’s off-season revamp, the Footy Show debuted on Wednesday night with Neroli Meadows and Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann taking over the hosting duties.

They were joined on the panel by Brendan Fevola and Dylan Alcott while four-time premiership Hawk Shaun Burgoyne and Magpie Mason Cox were special guests.

Later in the show, Sunday Footy Show regulars Matthew Lloyd and Nathan Brown subbed in to break down some serious football issues.

It featured new hosts, new panel members, new segments and a new look.

But did the Footy Show hit the right note with viewers?

Did you enjoy the new-look Footy Show? Check out the moments that caught our eye below and let us know what you thought in the comments section.

AN AWKWARD INTRO

Things got a little awkward when Matthew Lloyd hit the stage to discuss the controversy surrounding Fremantle forward Jesse Hogan.

While he started off talking about Hogan, he ended up taking an inadvertent shot at Fevola.

“It is extremely disappointing that one was,” he said regarding Hogan’s behaviour.

“No harm to you Fev, but people get traded for a reason sometimes.”

Fevola was famously traded by Carlton to Brisbane for behaviour issues during his career.

“I was actually looking forward to you coming on the show,” Fevola responded.

Brendan Fevola, Dylan Alcott, Neroli Meadows and Anthony 'Lehmo' Lehmann, in rehearsal. Picture: Nicki Connolly

WAS FEV BEING RIDICULOUS?

The Footy Show has always been about big personalities having big opinions. But was this call from Fevola a step too far?

The former Blue didn’t miss St Kilda coach Alan Richardson, declaring he would be sacked if the Saints lose to Gold Coast on Sunday.

He then went on to say Brett Ratten should take over.

“If they lose to the Gold Coast, Richo will be gone. (Andrew) Bassat their president, takes no prisoners.

“If they lose to them (Gold Coast) then they are finishing bottom. Get rid of him and get someone else in.

“Ratts (Brett Ratten) … he was at the Blues and did a great job. He went to the Hawks and the Hawks speak so highly of Ratts, he was awesome for their midfield.

“When he came over, Richo would have been sitting there going, ‘Oh god, why?’”

However, it didn’t go over well with everyone on the panel, with Matthew Lloyd labelling the suggestion “ridiculous”.

COX COMES OUT IN SUPPORT OF HARRIS

Collingwood forward Mason Cox didn’t miss the online trolls who attacked Tayla Harris.

The American Pie, who is prolific on social media himself, said it was time for footy fans to be “better than that.”

“I’ve been in this country for five years, I’ve met some amazing people and there are still some amazing people out there,” he said.

“I think it is what social media is. There are positives to it. It connects people and they can come together for amazing things.

“Also, it gives a voice to people who probably shouldn’t really have a voice.

“It is frustrating but … the positive I think from it is the fact that the media has got behind her and supported what she is bringing to the forefront.

“That’s what we need to focus on. That fact that we don’t accept that. We are better than that and we will move forward from it.”

‘WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT FOOTY?’

Melbourne Storm great Billy Slater made headlines when he joined St Kilda’s coaching panel in the off-season.

It certainly caught the eye of Alcott, who noticed a striking similarity between what he was doing on the Footy Show.

“I know I’m a tennis player on a footy show so the pot is calling the kettle black but, what the hell do you know about footy, mate?,” he joked.

WHAT WAS THE SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION?

How good is @thefrontbar7 👌🏼

— steve johnson (@Steviejohnson20) March 20, 2019

@Origsmartassam Defiantly not the Footy Show any more without you Sam!

— Bonnie Lillico (@BonnieLillico) March 20, 2019

@Neroli_M_FOX is the best thing about the new footy show 🙌

— Kris Mathews (@Kris_PJ_Mathews) March 20, 2019

Good start from the Footy Show, engaging main hosts. #thefootyshow

— matt smith (@rokkto) March 20, 2019

The Footy Show is officially done. You’ve got to know when to pull the pin. A year or two too long.

— Luke D'Anello (@LukeDAnello) March 20, 2019