Sam Newman has launched into Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield on Channel 9’s Footy Show overnight.

Sam Newman’s Slam

Newman’s attack came as Channel 9’s AFL Footy Show went head to head with Channel 7’s The Front Bar for the first time.

Ratings Results

The ratings results were a close call but ultimately good news for Channel 7 with The Front Bar just pipping its rival.

Big ratings news. Front Bar 169k on Seven in Melbourne. AFL Footy Show 164k on Nine in Melbourne. #prettyclose — Matt Thompson (@MattThompson) June 29, 2017

According to ratings figures The Front Bar edged out The Footy Show in Melbourne by five thousand viewers.

The Footy Show is really starting to struggle and made for awkward viewing last night when Sam Newman took aim at Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield.

Dangerfield had attacked Newman earlier in the week after Newman’s controversial comments regarding Caitlyn Jenner.

Cats at war

Sam Newman took the opportunity to hit back at Dangerfield overnight.

“If you want to have a go at me or say something to me, come and sit on that desk there and do it to my face,” he said on the show.

Newman also accused Dangerfield of being ageist and sexist.

“Pat, please, if you’re going to have a go at me for not understanding the era of political correctness we live in, don’t call me old. I don’t mind if you call me old but that is an ageist comment and it reflects badly on people in the workforce who are my age,” he said.

“You said the only person you watch the show for is this woman here (Maddern). That is sexist in itself.

“Let’s be consistent, instead of coming on here like a perfume dwarf and thinking that if you act like a ventriloquist’s dummy that will cut the mustard here, it won’t.”

It is certainly an awkward situation for Geelong. Having your best player in a public spat with a club legend is certainly not a good look. You can be assured that there will be people scrambling behind the scenes to put an end to the feud.

It will be interesting to watch how the ratings progress over the coming weeks. If The Front Bar widens the ratings gap on The Footy Show, it could put some pressure on the show’s longevity.

by Michael T. Lynch – contributor