‘We love him’: Touching tribute to Billy Brownless after final Sunday Footy Show
AFL icon and Geelong great Billy Brownless received a heartfelt tribute as the curtain came down on his 27-year career in TV.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Billy Brownless has farewelled Channel 9 in his final ever Sunday Footy Show after a 27-year career in television.
Last week, the footy icon announced that this would be his last season working as a panellist on the show.
Kayo is your ticket to the best local and international sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial >
The morning after Melbourne’s drought-breaking premiership win over the Western Bulldogs, Brownless appeared on the Sunday Footy Show for the final time.
The Geelong great started his TV career in 1994, and was a stalwart of the Thursday Footy Show until its demise in 2019.
To mark the occasion, Brownless’ co-hosts gifted him a framed Geelong guernsey emblazoned with images of famous moments from his illustrious career on the show.
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd delivered a touching tribute to Brownless, calling the 54-year-old “an amazing, beautiful person”.
“It’s sad Bill because you’re one of the most genuine people that I think I’ve ever met,” Lloyd said.
“It can be an industry of egos at times but you walk in and Bill makes an environment (that is) a fun place to be.
“And I can’t say that about all the footy clubs I’ve been in, radio, TV where I’ve worked.
“But because he’s such a humble and genuine person, that’s why I think we’re finding it difficult to say goodbye to Bill because we love him so much. Just an amazing, beautiful person.
Brownless explained the decision step down from his TV career to The Herald Sun: “The time has come to hang up the boots and microphone and to have Sundays off.
“I started with the Footy Show with Ed (McGuire), Sam (Newman) and Trev (Marmalade) in the good old days. Once I finished up footy I was lucky enough to get onto the show and ended up doing both the Thursday and Sunday shows.
“It has been a fantastic ride, to be honest.
“I have just had enough, to be honest.
“I love the show and I love the boys.
“We have a very good chemistry which is hard to get on a footy panel show because we all have egos, but we all get on really well. We are a team.”
However, Brownless said he would continue working on Triple M radio next season.
Originally published as ‘We love him’: Touching tribute to Billy Brownless after final Sunday Footy Show
‘Disgrace’: ‘Sore loser’ Hawks torn to shreds
Sam Mitchell had been widely praised for his handling of Friday night’s fiery final — but Hawthorn’s antics have now been branded “pathetic”.
Home, Brew: Top Bee bolts off with VFL’s JJ Liston Trophy
Before the start of the season, a driven Dom Brew told his Werribee coach that he would win the VFL best and fairest, the JJ Liston Trophy. Last night he did exactly that, matching a famous name with his bumper vote tally.
‘Fuming’: Blues star shown door after snub
Carlton fan-favourite Matthew Kennedy is reportedly one of three players shown the door just days after he was seen looking “filthy”.
Injury riddled to intercept force: How Cat overcame struggles
Entering the year uncontracted and struggling for continuity, Jack Henry hasn’t missed a beat — or a game — this year. He opens up on his season and Geelong’s tall call at selection.
Rockliff: Hinkley punishment a ‘disgrace’
Tom Rockliff has gone into bat for his old coach Ken Hinkley, calling the AFL’s $20,000 fine a ‘disgrace’ – and declaring the game has bigger problems than cracking down on characters.
The two ‘best mates’ integral to Sydney’s flag dreams
For a decade, Jake Lloyd and Harry Cunningham have quietly gone about their business. So often they’re critical to the Swans’ success, and Friday’s preliminary final will be no different.