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FORTHRIGHT SEN presenter David Schwarz says he is “still numb” after he was axed from the sports broadcaster after 12 years on the airwaves.
Schwarz and Mark Allen, who co-hosted the drive show The Run Home, were told their contracts were not being renewed by the station as they came off air on Friday evening.
“We were sideswiped a little bit, we did not see it coming and, yeah, we walked off air and were told we weren’t going to be renewed so it was just really difficult,” the former Melbourne Football Club great said.
“It was pretty brutal in the end. We were told and we had five minutes to get our stuff together and by the time I got to the front door, my email had been cut off and my pass had been cancelled and you are on to the next stage of your life.
“It was harder to walk away from SEN than the Melbourne footy club. With football I knew my time was pretty close, but with radio I still think I have lots to give.
“I am still numb. I came home to my family and they put it all back into reality for me and something else will come up.”
While he had not been given a reason as to why his show had been axed, Schwarz said leaving SEN would be a real change for his entire family.
“I just told the kids actually that Dad has been sacked,” he said. “They don’t know any different. Since they have been born I have been on SEN. SEN has been my family. I loved working with Marko (Mark Allen, The Run Home co-host) who is simply the best. It was a privilege to go there each day and work and the people there were just outstanding. For a little radio station that batted above its average, it was full of just phenomenal people.”
And he said he was disappointed he had not had the chance to thank his listeners for their constant support over the past 12 years.
“You are not just invested with the people you work with, but you are invested with the listeners,” Schwarz said.
“You get to know them and you get to share the most intimate happenings in their lives and in your own life with each other. Whether it is email or Twitter or them calling in, they are part of you.
“I loved SEN, it was like my second home. It is just really sad. It is hard to say goodbye.
“There is never a good time and I knew one day it would probably come, but it snuck up on us really fast.”
Allen said he was grateful for his 14-year career at the station.
“I am grateful to have been able to work at SEN since day one, for 14 years and be part of The Run Home for six years,” he said.
“I am looking forward to new adventures.”
SEN did not comment when asked about the change yesterday, although insiders said The Run Home had been consistently the station’s most profitable program.
It is doubtful this will be the last change at SEN, with Craig Hutchison’s Croc Media set to merge with Pacific Star Network, the owner of the sports radio station.
Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"
It is doubtful this will be the last change at SEN, with Craig Hutchison’s Croc Media set to merge with Pacific Star Network, the owner of the sports radio station.
Wouldn't be surprised if Liam Pickering takes over as host on The Run Home.
Our 1954 premiership players are our heroes, and it has to be said that Charlie was their hero.
Same here. Mark Allen's Chasing Birdies segment is always interesting and he is very good with his golf. They could still use him in that capacity. Ox could still call the footy and fill in for others. I can't see why these two would burn bridges.
I don't mind changes at SEN because it needs a refresh but I still can't listen to Garry Lyon in the mornings.
I gave up on SEN sports talk radio a few years ago. I have listened to the best sports talk networks in the world (XTRA, The FAN, ESPN Radio) for decades, and always hoped that SEN would approach those levels, but it never happened.
Gaze, Allen, Leach, Fine, Maher et al are just embarrassing when compared to Mike and the Mad Dog, Jim Rome, Mike and Mike, and the Loose Cannons.
I gave up on SEN sports talk radio a few years ago. I have listened to the best sports talk networks in the world (XTRA, The FAN, ESPN Radio) for decades, and always hoped that SEN would approach those levels, but it never happened.
Gaze, Allen, Leach, Fine, Maher et al are just embarrassing when compared to Mike and the Mad Dog, Jim Rome, Mike and Mike, and the Loose Cannons.
I agree with the first part of what you said-I've been listening to ABC radio since late last year-SEN just seemed to jump the shark, apart from anything else the number of ads has gone through the roof.
They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them.
I agree with the first part of what you said-I've been listening to ABC radio since late last year-SEN just seemed to jump the shark, apart from anything else the number of ads has gone through the roof.
I am pissed off ABC got rid of Red, that is the biggest blow to my radio listening.
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
I am pissed off ABC got rid of Red, that is the biggest blow to my radio listening.
I think there is a bunch we aren't being told about his head injury. It might be a lot worse than we think, he's done some very strange (even for Red) things since that happened.
I've been on Radio National before Faine comes on anyway
They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them.
Agree, but the manner of their sacking was very poor form indeed - incredibly harsh way to get rid of 2 long-term employees by not even giving them a chance to say goodbye to their audience.
SEN's judgement stinks - fancy giving a condescending dickhead like Hammer the morning shift earlier this year and expect their core audience to warm to such a smug arsehole. Hopefully they exercise better judgement with their on-air talent for 2018, because frankly their pitiful ratings don't justify the expense of running the station. Hutchy is a commercial animal so should be able to get things moving in the right direction with regard to ratings.
There must be some sort of pleasure gained from taking a shot at someone who has just been sacked but I don't get it. David and Mark might not be everyone's cuppa which is fine but sticking the boot in when they're down isn't classy. I know David and he is a nice bloke and I wouldn't wish that type of public dismissal upon anyone let alone some who has worked at SEN for 12 years.
I'd like to think that those two would be professional enough to get through a show with some dignity.
Had they been given a show to thank the fans they would have done so without incident.
To think we might have the chance to listen to Adam Cooney each day now must excite people.
Had they been given a show to thank the fans they would have done so without incident.
To think we might have the chance to listen to Adam Cooney each day now must excite people.
Fantastic! He's sure to talk about all those fun times he had and great footy he played at the bulldogs and not bang on endlessly about the 20 or 30 insignificant games he pushed his fat arse around the ground for Essendon for.
They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them.
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