BEST AND WORST OF THE NRL FOOTY SHOW

BEST:

RAY HADLEY V JOHN RIBOT (1995) – Super League boss John Ribot has since claimed he was ambushed on live TV but it made for compelling viewing. Ribot was booed by the crowd as Ray Hadley unloaded on him in defence of the ARL.

ANDREW JOHNS’ DRUG ADMISSION (2007) – Johns’ admission to recreational drug use throughout his career after being caught with an ecstasy tablet in England was the show’s most serious moment. Phil Gould probed Johns on avoiding drug testers and his teammates’ knowledge of his use in an intense 20-minute interview.

REG REAGAN – Matthew Johns’ impersonation of a controversial old-school footballer in the form of Reg Reagan has given rugby league one of its favourite alter-egos, although he disappeared from the show with Johns in 2009.

WORST:

MAHATMA COTE (1997) – It’s hard to believe nowadays that a satirical Indian newsreader character even made it onto TV, but 20 years ago Mahatma Cote (portrayed by ex-cricketer Greg Ritchie) was one of the Footy Show’s favourite skits. That was until Ritchie landed himself in trouble for allegedly racially abusing an Ansett Airlines employee, and eventually the gig was up.

FATTY FALLS OUT OF A VAN (2005) – Vautin fell out of a van while filming a sketch for the show. Wearing a sumo suit, Vautin was knocked unconscious and suffered concussions after a severe head knock.

MATTY’S CRONULLA SEX SCANDAL (2009)- Matty Johns appeared for one sombre final episode on the show hours after news broke that Four Corners would detail a Cronulla group sex session he was involved in during 2002.