Gary Lyon seeks help for mental condition

AFL Footy Show host and Melbourne Demons great Garry Lyon has been stood down from media duties by the Nine Network as he battles a "serious mental health condition".

Nine issued a statement asking for Lyon's privacy to be respected as he battled his health woes.

"For several months The Footy Show and Footy Classified co-host has been suffering from a serious mental health condition and he will take time out from all media roles to recover," the statement said.

"There is no set time frame as to when he will return to television."

Lyon was offered the support of Nine management.

"We are all supporting Garry and hope he will be back to good health very soon. Our priority is his wellbeing," Nine Melbourne managing director Ian Paterson said.

"Garry has our full support. From here on, it's a private and personal matter and we ask that be respected."

The Footy Show will return next month. James Brayshaw will host the show solo until Garry is fit to return.

Damian Barrett will fill in for Garry on Footy Classified during his absence.

Lyon played 226 games for the Demons and kicked 426 goals in an illustrious career that saw him named as a half-forward flanker in their Team of the Century.