AXED co-host of The Footy Show Craig Hutchison takes "full responsibility" for the program's failings and says he might have sacked himself, if that was his decision to make.
Meanwhile, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has declared he is going to let controversial panelist Sam Newman "off the leash" after announcing his stunning return to the program.
McGuire revealed on Saturday morning he didn't run his decision by the Magpies board when speaking to ABC Radio.
"What I do for a living hasn't got any impact on the Pies. It all fits in. I've worked through what needs to happen and I don't think that has got any impact on Collingwood at all, other than a positive one," McGuire said.
Asked directly whether he ran the new role past the Pies' directors, McGuire said: "No. It only happened yesterday. I didn't have time to run it past my wife until late in the afternoon."
In a move that only took shape on Friday after some "frantic messages", McGuire held a press conference at the MCG with co-host Rebecca Maddern to confirm his return to the show he helped launch in 1994.
The news comes less than 24 hours after Newman appeared tight-lipped on the show, refusing to engage with his co-hosts or fellow panelists.
However, Newman will remain on the revamped show, with journalist Craig Hutchison to be dropped from the current line-up.
McGuire will co-host with Maddern.
Hutchison didn't shirk the issue when speaking on Melbourne radio station SEN on Saturday morning.
"I totally understand and respect the decision yesterday. It didn’t go my way and, as a business guy, you couldn’t actually argue with the decision," Hutchison said.
"I couldn't actually tell you I wouldn't have done the same thing myself.
"I wasn't able to win people over. I accept it."
He acknowledged the main change the show had undertaken was adding himself.
"I take it totally as my responsibility. I just take it completely on board," Hutchison said.
"The clear point of difference from last year to this year was me and as a co-host or host, you have to take full responsibility for that.
"I've been around the media for long enough, it's a subjective thing, everyone has an opinion.
"Clearly it's a ratings game, there's a scoreboard everyday. Some people don't like you, some do.
"I've always been one of those polarising guys."
The show will take a two-week hiatus before returning on Thursday August 10 in what McGuire termed a "rebirth".
"We're going to let Sam off the leash, he's going to be going full pelt," McGuire said on Friday.
"There's no person in the human race who can keep Sam Newman in line and you know what, we're not going to worry about that.
"Sam is a very intelligent man, he knows about television and making exciting television better than anyone."
McGuire will continue to host broadcasts and call AFL matches on Foxtel and he had no issue continuing as Collingwood president while adding another media role to his schedule.
He said he had spoken to Foxtel on Thursday about its position on him returning to The Footy Show and received their support.
"This really came about in the last couple of hours today, seriously … from there it took off," he said.
"There were some rumblings that things could happen and they (Foxtel) were very keen to support the show and me going back to the The Footy Show.
"So when the calls came through today that this would be happening, we were able to make some quick decisions."
The long-running Channel Nine program was beaten in the ratings by Channel Seven's Front Bar for the third time in four weeks on Thursday night.
Rebecca Maddern and Eddie McGuire outside the MCG on Thursday. Picture: Channel Nine
McGuire was the founding host of what would become an iconic show, alongside Newman, when The Footy Show debuted in 1994.
It evolved into a fully fledged, big-budget variety show and a ratings juggernaut.
Often the place for big stories and major controversies, it was must-watch television for the best part of two decades.
McGuire departed the show in 2006 to become Channel Nine chief executive.
While his tenure in that role coming to an end quite quickly, he maintained his profile – and a high-priced contract – as the host of the network's early-evening game show Hot Seat.
At the beginning of 2012, McGuire joined Foxtel as the face of Fox Footy and host of its Olympic coverage.
He negotiated dual contracts which allowed him to present sport for Fox and entertainment for Nine.
Those contracts had to be renegotiated to allow for his return to the show he helped create.
Hutchison was installed as co-host at the start of this season after the messy departure of James Brayshaw.
Brayshaw had hosted the show last year with Maddern, who filled the void left by Garry Lyon's abrupt departure at the start of 2015.
The primetime return will give McGuire another major outlet alongside his Fox Footy commitments and Triple M breakfast radio show.
McGuire, Newman and Trevor Marmalade on the set of the 2005 Grand Final Footy Show. Picture: AFL Photos
