Webcke to join forces with Johns
ADRIAN PROSZENKO
February 6, 2010
MATTHEW JOHNS has snared Shane Webcke, one of the most vocal critics of The Footy Show, to join his rival rugby league program. ''We've had chats with Shane Webcke to get him involved and we're a long way down the track,'' Johns told The Last Word following meetings with Channel Seven executives. ''It's almost certain he'd be part of the show.'' Webcke, one of the most respected figures in the game, has previously claimed The Footy Show has crossed the line from being irreverent to irrelevant. The move will turn up the heat on the Nine Network's long-running league program, which controversially parted ways with Johns last year. The new project, which is yet to be named, could still be slated for a Thursday night timeslot, although Johns denied it would go head-to-head with The Footy Show. ''We're still not sure,'' Johns said. ''They're still tossing it around. It's a tricky one, there's the possibility of Wednesday night. You don't want to be clashing with another rugby league program, with NRL on Fox or The Footy Show. That's not what it's about. We're just trying to find the slot we think is right.'' It was believed Johns's ignominious parting with Channel Nine had effectively killed off his beer-swilling alter ego, Reg Reagan. However, the former Newcastle and Cronulla pivot left the door slightly ajar for a return. ''I haven't really given it any consideration, I haven't brought up his name as yet,'' he said. ''You never say never, but at the moment - unlikely.'' Asked if he was excited about returning to prime-time TV, Johns quipped: ''It's good just to be back in the workforce.''
