Sam Newman blasts Malcolm Turnbull backlash: ‘This country is rooted’; AFL star’s ‘unforgivable’ blunder

THE ever cantankerous Footy Show host Sam Newman has fired off in a bizarre rant, claiming Australia is “rooted” and mocking the Prime Minister.

FOOTY Show host and renowned shock-jock Sam Newman is at it again.

And this time, the controversial 71-year-old may have outdone himself.

Newman made headlines in July after making an on-air statement in the direction of Channel Nine, sitting in silence before raising his middle finger to the camera.

But this effort on Thursday night’s Footy Show was slightly more political, taking aim at the latest controversy surrounding Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The Liberal Party leader was taken to the cleaners after posting a photo of himself at the footy while holding his grandchild in one arm and a beer in the other.

“Does anyone see anything irresponsible with an adult hold(ing) a baby and juggling a beer? And when was drinking while holding a child OK?” one person wrote on Turnbull’s Facebook post, entitled “Multitasking at the footy”.

Newman was quick to address the controversy on Thursday night, intentionally rocking up late to the show’s panel wearing a beer can hat, a suit and holding a baby doll and a pint of beer.

The long-time host was immediately met with chants of “scull, scull scull!” from the audience before pretending to pour his beer down the doll’s throat.

“I’m on the way to the footy to see the Roosters, my favourite side,” Newman said, obviously mocking Turnbull’s famous 2008 mix-up when he got confused with footy codes.

Co-hosts Eddie McGuire and Rebecca Maddern laughed through the awkward entrance as Newman continued his speech.

Sam Newman has outdone himself.

“The Roosters are playing the Cats, aren’t they?” Newman said.

“But you know what’s seriously wrong with this country? This country is rooted. I was going to bring my one-year-old granddaughter — my son and his wife said it’d be quite alright to bring her on — I’m the grandfather so I could bring her on.

“But the government said you cannot bring a live baby after 6:00pm onto a public television set. So, this is not a baby, it’s a dummy.”

Newman threw the baby onto the desk in front of him before continuing his rant.

“Tell me this,” he queried. “Why wouldn’t you be allowed to do that and why would anyone worry about Malcolm Turnbull having a beer with his granddaughter sitting on his lap?

“The country is rooted.”

"This country is rooted" - Sammy has channeled his inner Malcolm Turnbull. #9AFLFootyShow pic.twitter.com/8LONaRCLL9

— The AFL Footy Show (@AFLFootyShow) September 14, 2017

NEWMAN SLAMS STAR’S ‘UNFORGIVABLE’ BLUNDER

Newman was only just getting started with his Turnbull stunt.

The former Geelong ruckman tore Port Adelaide star Charlie Dixon to shreds for his disappointing goalkicking effort against the West Coast Eagles in the AFL’s elimination final last weekend.

Dixon failed to boot two set shots in extra time and allowed the Eagles to advance into the next round of the finals series.

“Spare a thought for Ken Hinkley, who through no fault of his is not playing in the finals anymore because the young lad couldn’t kick two goals when given the opportunity in the dying seconds of the game,” Newman said.

“That’s what football is about. One of them can kick clutch goals and the other can’t. He (Dixon) played a great game but this is unforgivable.

“If you play at the highest level and you’re given two shots at (progressing) in the finals (and miss), that is just unforgivable.”

Newman said he sympathised with Power chairman David Koch after his polarising post-match spray at the side.

“I can understand David Koch going down and actually being ropable — not at (Dixon) necessarily — but, mate, you’ve just gotta kick those goals,” he said.

Richmond defender Alex Rance chimed in midway through Newman’s tirade, claiming Dixon was the best player on the ground that night — but the 71-year-old was quick to shut down his Footy Show guest.

“He was not best on ground, because he missed those two goals, mate,” Newman said. “That’s what football is about. He lost the game for that side ... how you could give him best on the ground is beyond me.”

Charlie Dixon was shattered.