Controversial television personality Sam Newman says he will quit The Footy Show if it doesn't return to television screens in 2019.
In an emotional address to the audience on Thursday night's edition of the programme on Channel Nine, Newman gave a strong indication that there are doubts over whether The Footy Show, which first aired in 1994, would be retained by the network in 2019.
The AFL version of the programme has struggled in direct competition with Channel Seven's The Front Bar this season.
"This station won't, or can't tell us if this show will be on next year, either in this format, or in some other format," Newman opened with.
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"And they can't tell me if I'll be part of the show next year if it's on, or if I'll be part of a different show, if it's on.
"So, on the off chance that this show is not on next year, this is the opportune time to say what I'm about to say.
"Because it's no good doing it next week when the grand final show is on...
"But this could well be the last in-house Footy Show that we do after 25 years."
Watch Newman's emotional address below:
A message from Sam. #9AFLFootyShow pic.twitter.com/MWJsG4xS3R
— The AFL Footy Show (@AFLFootyShow) September 20, 2018
Newman chose Thursday night's preliminary final show to make the announcement, because it's the last one for this season in the studio, before next week's grand final show at Rod Laver Arena, where the focus is well and truly on the participating teams.
Later in his address, Newman continued with a similar theme.
"I will not be continuing. It's appropriate that I, it's opportune that I end my association with this show and the network on the off chance that this is the final show that we do," Newman added.
"This is probably it for me, as an in-house Footy Show contributor, and next week it'll probably be it for me as a grand final Footy Show participant as well.
"So as they say, and maybe I say it for the last time, let's on with the show."
Newman made no apologies for his straight-shooting style, which has seen him earn a reputation as one of the most divisive television personalities on Australian screens.
"The only thing I can say is I've probably been the most criticised and traduced person in the media in Australia for probably two decades," Newman said.
"I wouldn't have it any other way because you are what you are.
"I know who I am, I know what I am, I take it with a grain of salt."
72-year-old Newman, who played 300 games for Geelong between 1964 and 1980, has appeared on the show since its inception in 1994, and remained the star panellist for the last 25 years.
