He was already the most awarded Newsreader in Australian history with 18 ACRAs to his credit – and going for number 19 when the unthinkable happened.

After 17 years at 2UE Steve Blanda, the Michael Phelps of news, found himself without a job – one of the many that were cut from the station following the big merger between Macquarie and Fairfax. To add insult to injury the new entity decided that they would not endorse ACRA entries from anyone that was no longer working with them.

All this happened soon after Blanda’s 60th birthday. Just when it seemed that retirement was imminent – time for that well worn dinner suit to be mothballed before it had a chance to come back into fashion – a lifeline was tossed him by smoothfm.

Now  Blanda is back again as a finalist for Best News Presenter, only this time for Metro FM not AM. And to make matters interesting, he is the only male among the five listed below:

BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO FM

Ange Anderson; Nova 106.9, Brisbane QLD, NOVA Entertainment M

Sasha Tannock; Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M

Monique Dews; 97.3FM, Brisbane QLD, Australian Radio Network M

Steve Blanda; smoothfm, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M

Maria Gaban; Mix 102.3, Adelaide SA, Australian Radio Network M

Can the veteran, Steve Blanda, haul in his 19th ACRA against a bevy of youthful talent, hell bent on getting their first or second?

We’ll find out on Saturday October 8 when all the winners will be revealed. You’ll get the results as they happen with radioinfo’s special coverage live from the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.