AFL Footy Show turns 21
Former Melbourne champion Garry Lyon wasn't afraid of anyone on the football field but he lives in fear as co-host of the AFL Footy Show.
Lion's biggest concern are the loose lips of the show's, at-times controversial, star Sam Newman who has been the only constant during The AFL Footy Show's 21 year run.
Newman was recruited in 1994 to add colour, controversy and character to a fledgling live show, hosted by Eddie McGuire, which did not have access to game footage.
Over the years, Newman has landed in hot water for a number of politically, sexually and socially insensitive references or acts.
The most recent was a couple of years ago when he decided to smoke a bong, later revealed to contain tea, which caused outraged among anti-drug campaigners and family groups.
Lyon is a close friend of Newman but he is also one half of the hosting panel, alongside James Brayshaw, which sits down Thursday nights hoping the former Geelong star stays clear of trouble.
"You're radar's on constantly and when he talks, you're thinking where is the line (he can't cross) but we haven't had any controversy for a while, touch wood," Lyon said.
"Being Sam, he will continue to try and push it, but we don't want to nobble him.
"We make him aware of issues that are topical and sensitive but we never tell him what he can and can't say.
"You just sit there (when he talks) and hold your breath."
Lyon played 226 games for Melbourne from 1986-99 and when he retired he started a full-time career in the media.
He and Brayshaw replaced McGuire, who left the show for an ill-fated attempt at running the Nine Network, in 2006.
Replacing McGuire with two hosts, and not one, was a strategy to prevent comparisons between McGuire's upbeat style and Lyon and Brayshaw's more cautious and conservative approach.
"It was a massive change and that's why going with two hosts was important and it made it look different," Lyon said.
"If it was just going to be one of us, we would be directly compared to Eddie."
The Footy Show's longevity is notable when you think there are more than 100 players on AFL lists who were not born when it went to air for the first time in March 1994.
The show was initially given a six week trial run but was a massive hit from the day one.
Lyon was still playing when The Footy Show started and he said it was regular Thursday night viewing for all players.
He first appeared as a guest panellist in 1995 although he was mere "window dressing" for McGuire, Newman and comedian Trevor Marmalade who used to appear on the show as well.
"The footy players were window dressing... but you got the chance to show people that you weren't a boof head or meat head footballer," Lyon said.
* The AFL Footy Show airs at 8.40pm on Thursdays on the Nine Network.
