Mark Geyer 'devastated' after NRL legend 'totally screwed' and replaced by Beau Ryan and Aaron Woods

Influential Sydney businessman and former Penrith Panthers player Lou Zivanovic has told Yahoo Sport Australia how Mark Geyer is doing it tough after his axing from Triple M radio. Geyer is feeling the love from the western Sydney community he has championed all his life as the station that dumped him announced ex-NRL players Aaron Woods and Beau Ryan would take his place next year.

Geyer has been left picking up the pieces following his shock axing from Sydney Triple M's breakfast program, with former Sharks and Tigers duo Ryan and Woods to join newsreader Natarsha Belling in the Triple M Breakfast with 'Beau, Tarsh & Woodsy' show from early next year. A week on from his removal, Geyer is none the wiser to the reasons behind his dumping from the show he co-hosted with Melbourne comedian Mick Molloy.

The station is still plugging the program as the 'Mick & MG in the Morning' show despite Geyer being off-air since last Wednesday. There's been no on-air explanation outlining why the former NSW Origin star and Penrith premiership winner suddenly disappeared from the line-up.

A petition demanding Geyer's return to Triple M has been launched by a loyal fan, while locals in Sydney's west are rallying around the popular ex-footballer, who has long been been a voice for the area. Zivanovic is one of the key figures supporting Geyer as he attempts to rebuild his media career.

Mark Geyer's supporters rally around former NRL star

While Geyer has not spoken publicly about his axing, Zivanovic revealed the 56-year-old had taken the news hard. "MG is one of the most loyal people you could meet and Triple M has shown him zero loyalty in return," Zivanovic told Yahoo Sport Australia.

"He was blind-sided by the decision and is quite understandably devastated. Decisions are made in business every day but there's a right way and wrong way to go about things. They've totally screwed him, without warning, after 17 years of loyal service. It doesn’t sit right with me and it doesn’t sit right with a lot of people."

Asked how Geyer was holding up after the pair caught up for lunch this week, Zivanovic said: "He's still coming to terms with it all, but he's a strong man. MG showed during his footy career that you get knocked down and you get up again, and that’s the way he's approaching this. With the help and support of family and friends, he will bounce back from this. One door closes, another one opens."

Aaron Woods speaks out after replacing Mark Geyer

In announcing the station's new 2025 line-up on Thursday, Southern Cross Audio (SCA) Chief Content Officer, Dave Cameron, thanked Geyer for his services. "We wish to thank MG for his incredible 17-year contribution to Triple M across many shows and NRL calls," Cameron said. "We sincerely hope he will be a part of the Triple M family again at some stage in the future, and we wish him all the best."

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Woods revealed he texted Geyer to thank him for helping him get where he is today. “He just told me to never stop doing what I was doing, don’t say no to anything and keep showing up,” Woods told the Daily Telegraph.

“I have never forgotten that. MG along with Matty Johns and Gus Worland helped me so much. He was the first person I sent a text to this morning. He just said, ‘congratulations brother, enjoy the ride, it’s a fun one." As well as expressing their sadness that Geyer was axed, NRL fans have also panned the decision to elevate Ryan and Woods, which has proven divisive.