Footy Classified is back on 9Now and Channel 9, giving AFL fans in Australia and around the world another place to catch up with the biggest talking points in the game. With Eddie McGuire fronting the programme, the panel line-up for this edition also features James Hird, Rory Sloane and Cal Twomey, bringing a blend of media experience, premiership pedigree, leadership insight and recruitment expertise to the discussion.

For viewers in the UK and other overseas markets, the key thing to note is that this is an Australian broadcast on the Nine Network’s streaming platform and free-to-air television, rather than a British channel such as BBC, Sky, ITV or TNT. That makes 9Now the most relevant option for audiences looking to follow one of the AFL’s most established discussion shows, especially if they want analysis beyond the match broadcast itself.

Eddie McGuire remains one of the most recognisable figures in Australian sport and television. A long-time broadcaster, former president of Collingwood and former host of major football coverage, he has spent decades at the centre of AFL conversation. McGuire’s strength as a presenter has always been his ability to steer fast-moving debate, and Footy Classified suits that style perfectly. He brings strong opinions, sharp interviewing and a deep understanding of how AFL narratives shape a season.

Joining him is James Hird, whose football credentials are impossible to ignore. A Brownlow Medallist and premiership captain with Essendon, Hird was one of the elite players of his generation before moving into coaching and media work. His perspective on tactics, performance standards and club pressure makes him a natural fit for a roundtable show. Hird has long been a familiar voice in AFL coverage because he combines first-hand experience of the highest level with an analytical approach that resonates with viewers.

Rory Sloane adds the modern player’s point of view. Best known for a celebrated career with Adelaide, where he built a reputation as a fierce competitor and respected leader, Sloane has transitioned into media with a reputation for thoughtful, measured analysis. As a former captain and elite midfielder, he understands the demands on current players, the realities of dressing-room leadership and the standards required to stay competitive across a long season. That gives the panel a valuable bridge between old-school and contemporary AFL thinking.

Cal Twomey is the specialist football journalist on the panel, and his presence gives Footy Classified extra edge when trade, drafting and list-management issues dominate the agenda. Twomey has built a strong reputation through AFL reporting, especially around recruitment, contract talk and club strategy. His knowledge of how teams build their lists and plan for the future often turns a general football debate into something much more detailed and informative.

That combination of voices makes the programme especially useful at this stage of the 2026 AFL season, with clubs trying to settle into form and the conversation already turning towards ladder positions, injury management and the long road to finals. The AFL schedule remains packed, and fans can check the full fixture via ESPN’s 2026 AFL fixtures page, which lists match times, venues and TV information across the season.

From a viewing perspective, Channel 9 and 9Now continue to play a major role in AFL coverage, especially for Australian audiences who want pre-game, post-game and midweek analysis. Shows like Footy Classified are part of the broader AFL media ecosystem, where the debate is almost as important as the action on the field. For international fans, the programme offers a useful way to keep up with the personalities, controversies and tactical storylines that shape the competition.

If you are following the league closely, the timing is ideal. The 2026 season is already delivering a busy slate of fixtures, and clubs are beginning to separate themselves as contenders and improvers. Whether the discussion focuses on coaching pressure, selection calls or trade rumours, this panel has the experience and credibility to generate meaningful AFL insight.

In short, Footy Classified on 9Now and Channel 9 is a strong watch for anyone who wants informed AFL debate led by one of Australian sport’s most seasoned presenters and a panel stacked with genuine football expertise. With Eddie McGuire, James Hird, Rory Sloane and Cal Twomey involved, viewers can expect a sharp, opinionated and highly knowledgeable look at the game.

Article generated: 19 May 2026, 12:30 GMT