Sam Newman was uncharacteristically tight-lipped on The Footy Show on Thursday night, leading to speculation the controversial presenter was teaching Nine bosses a lesson on what the show would be like without him.
Instead of his usual outspoken self, Thursday night's Newman at times refused to answer questions - much to the frustration of his fellow panelists - and kept his feelings to himself on a range of hot-button topics.
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When co-host Rebecca Maddern asked for his views on whether Collingwood president Eddie McGuire should resign, Newman remained stone-faced.
"Well, now, [it's a] bit controversial if you make comments on this," he said. "Get taken aside and spoken to, step over some imaginary line in the sand. So I don't think I would like to make a comment on any of that."
But the grouchy behaviour didn't stop there. When asked who he thought would prevail when the Bulldogs and Gold Coast go head-to-head on Saturday, Newman said "I really don't give a stuff who wins".
Speaking on 3AW on Friday morning, veteran gossip reporter Peter Ford said Newman acted like a "complete sad sack" and said he was kicking up a stink because he believes he'll soon be booted from the popular AFL talk show.
"There were a lot of people hearing this thinking, what another contrived, drummed up drama to try get attention for the footy show," he said. "But ... it was sending out a message. Sam is of the belief that there are rumblings that he will be axed from the footy show at the end of the year."
Ford said Newman believes Nine has tried to rein him in over the past few months and make him more "politically correct".
"He just doesn't wanna play that game," Ford said. "He wants to march to the beat of his own drum. It was [about[ very much demonstrating what the show would be like [without him]."
Channel Nine is expected to make a statement shortly.