Tuesday 9 September 1997
By eBroadcast Staff and agencies.

I guess it had to happen sooner or later. On Tuesday September 23rd at 8:30pm, the Nine Network will have Eddie McGuire hosting Australian Rules answer to the Oscars; The Footy Show Awards.

The gala award show will feature a plethora of footy champions and larrikins in a range of categories including the prestigious E.J.Whitten Mr. Football Award for the AFL's Player of the Year. The nominees are: Nathan Buckley, Robert Harvey, Chris Grant, Craig Bradley, Garry Hocking, Paul Kelly, Mark Ricciuto and Peter Matera. Then there's the cute Only A Mother Could Love Award being fought out by Daniel Southern, Damien Monkhorst, Michael Martyn and Paul Barnard. Both of these awards will be presented by the Victorian Premier, Jeff Kennett. (Wonder what type of award he will be up for?)

Joing Jeff will be a prestigious line-up of special guests; former World Boxing Champion, Sugar Ray Leonard; one of the greatest quarterbacks in American Football, Joe Montana; and local legend Jack Dyer. Other presenters include Sam Newman, Justin Madden and Lou Richards with Trevor Marmalade adding his unique comedic touch to the evening.

And in keeping with their money making ways, the winners will be judged by the fans who can vote by registering their choices over the phone and that will also give them a chance to win a Ford Explorer. Of course the phone call will cost $.50; wonder who gets to keep the money?