Former host of The Footy Show Craig Hutchison says that he understands Channel Nine’s decision to replace him with the returning Eddie McGuire on Friday.
Hutchison opened his radio show Off the Bench on SEN this morning by stating that he respects the decision to bring the Collingwood president and popular media personality back to the hosting chair 12 years after he last helmed the show, a decision made on Friday.
“I totally understand and respect the decision yesterday,” he said.
“It didn’t go my way and, as a business guy, you couldn’t actually argue with the decision.
“I couldn’t actually tell you I wouldn’t have done the same thing myself.
“I wasn’t able to win people over, I accept it.”
The Footy Show’s viewer numbers in 2017 have been disappointing, with Channel Seven’s challenger The Front Bar winning the 8:30 PM Thursday ratings war three of the four weeks they have been against each other.
Hutchison says that he shoulders some of the blame for the slump, and believes he has always been a love-or-hate figure.
“I take it totally as my responsibility. I just take it completely on board,” he said.
“The clear point of difference from last year to this year was me and as a co-host or host, you have to take full responsibility for that.
“I’ve been around the media for long enough, it’s a subjective thing, everyone has an opinion.
“Clearly it’s a ratings game, there’s a scoreboard everyday. Some people don’t like you, some do.
“I’ve always been one of those polarising guys, I guess.”
Hutchison, who says he found out about the decision while hosting a lunch in Shepparton, says that while the disappointing news was handed to him in an “unusual” manner, he appreciated the network letting him know of their intentions immediately.
He says that he put his all into the show and will continue to do so on TV on Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday nights, and wished McGuire luck on his “romantic” return to the program he started 24 years ago.
“I’ve certainly been busy but that’s no excuse. I gave my heart and soul to it, I gave my absolute best. I’m glad I did it,” he said.
“[Eddie’s return] is a bit like Ablett going back to Geelong, there’s something romantic about it.”
McGuire's first appearance as new host will take place on August 10 as the show takes a two week hiatus.