AFL Briefs: Channel 7 axe shows, Hawks stand with Wingard

The return of the 2020 AFL season may be just around the corner, but that hasn’t stopped the network from ending two shows.

The AFL is set to return in just over a week, but Channel 7 have decided to pull the pin on two popular footy shows.

Talking Footy and Game Day both faced the axe on Wednesday with the network shelving the shows due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

“As a consequence of COVID-19 we have seen tough and difficult decisions being made right across sport and we at Seven are no different,” Channel 7’s head of network sport Lewis Martin told AFL Media.

“Talking Footy and Game Day have set the agenda in AFL circles for so many years and we hope with favourable conditions returning this will be a temporary hiatus for both.”

Two footy shows, Talking Footy and Gameday, temporarily suspended. Channel 7 say they hope it is a temporary hiatus for both programs.

— peter ryan (@petryan) June 3, 2020

The network are sticking with The Front Bar on Thursday night’s, with the show moving to a Wednesday night timeslot once the season returns.

No indication was given as to when the shows might return to screens across the country.

“The prevailing market conditions that have severely impacted most sporting bodies throughout Australia have meant Seven has made the decision to temporarily suspend Talking Footy and Game Day,” a Channel 7 statement read.

The 2020 AFL season returns with round 2 on June 11 when Collingwood and Richmond square off at the MCG.

HAWKS BACK IN WINGARD’S MEDIA BAN

Chad Wingard is done with the media.

Hawthorn captain Ben Stratton says the Hawks are fully behind AFL star Chad Wingard’s work to call out racism in Australia.

Wingard has used social media to express his frustration with a lack of diversity in the mainstream media and the coverage of protests in the USA following the death of George Floyd, along with drawing attention to racism and Indigenous deaths in custody in Australia.

Stratton lauded Wingard’s decision to take a stance.

“Regardless of the issue, it probably takes some balls to speak up and stuff like that,” Stratton told reporters on Wednesday.

“So probably in a world where everything gets judged and speech gets judged, I reckon it takes some balls and good on him, we’re behind him 100 per cent.” On Monday, Wingard said he would only participate in interviews he was contractually obliged to fulfil and would use his own platforms to share his opinions.

“I dont (sic) trust our media anymore! Until things change i wont be doing any interviews im (sic) not contracted to do! Ill (sic) be sharing my own thoughts and content!” Wingard wrote on Twitter.

I dont trust our media anymore! Until things change i wont be doing any interviews im not contracted to do! Ill be sharing my own thoughts and content!

— chad wingard (@chadwingard20) June 1, 2020

Stratton said he was yet to speak to Wingard in person but emphasised the club’s support for the 26-year-old and Hawthorn’s other Indigenous players.

“All we can do is support him and I think a lot of boys have supported him on social channels and stuff like that,” he said.

“So that’s all we can do as a club and we can continue celebrating what the Indigenous boys have given to this game, to this club and we’re lucky enough to have had some crackers over the years here and just to have crossed paths with them – we’re pretty lucky.”

Stratton also highlighted the influence of veteran Shaun Burgoyne on Hawthorn’s playing group.

“Shaun over the years has been a mentor for all players coming into the club but especially those young Indigenous boys,” he said.

“Seeing him work with the young boys that come in to the four walls at the Hawthorn footy club, it’s pretty special the way he goes about it.

“We’ve always had that here – when I first got here we had (Chance) Bateman and Buddy (Franklin) and those boys, they’ve just been so special for this footy club and Shaun’s been a pivotal part in that.”

— Anna Harrington, AAP