The short-lived program The Link Men was yet another of the locally produced police dramas that proliferated on Australian television in the late 1960s and early 1970s. However, the Nine Network had no pressing need to try and court some of the popularity of this genre with audiences (as, according to Don Storey in his Classic Australian Television, Channel 10 was attempting at the same time, with The Long Arm): Nine already had Division 4, which was rivalling even Homicide in popularity. Rather, Storey notes, The Link Men was
simply an attempt by Nine to have a second successful local drama, and in so doing prove that they could do without the expertise of outside packagers, and also give Sydney a show to counter the dominance of Melbourne-based productions.
Unfortunately, the program did not work out this way, and was promptly cancelled after thirteen episodes (after the network considered some ways in which to tweak the series). According to Storey, 'The cancellation of the series led to an outburst of public statements from the cast and crew, with mixed feelings being expressed, and much apportioning of blame'.
Storey's own attitude on the program is ambivalent:
The Link Men at times looked very amateurish, with awkward action and direction more suited to a stage play than a television series. At other times, it could look very polished and professional indeed. However, although the series was improving, the awkward moments were very obvious and would have caused many viewers to switch off.
The Link Men was the last in-house drama production that the Nine Network attempted for some time.
