View Full Version : Damien Martyn - The rose between two thorns
redragger
10 Aug 2009, 13:12
Probably been mentioned before but I had to get this off my chest. For those of us unfortunate enough not to have Foxtel, we have been treated to the trio of MacGill, Martyn, Matthews on SBS.
For many years Martyn was the aloof type; stand-offish with the media, no real public profile. This added to the intrigue I had in seeing his performance as a presenter. For mine, he has had a better '09 Ashes series than his trumpeted '01 conquest. Looks the part, nice and succinct with his comments, professional, says the right things with a clear mind and conscience.
Now for the baffoons who sit either side of him....
It's probably a tough gig for MacGill to make his debut as a host, but for christ's sakes one of the big no no's of any ex-player/commentator is to constantly bring up stories about your own career - even if you try and take the piss out of yourself.
There probably isn't much more that needs to be said about Greg Matthews that hasn't been said before, but please put an end to our misery and bone this cretin before he ruins the series. His constant NSW bias is sickening - from day one it's been "bring in the University of NSW quick Stuart Clark" and to top it off, he still tried to have a go at the selectors for dropping Hauritz, after they'd just bowled the Poms out for 100! He's caught in the middle of being the eccentric joker, and the serious cricket commentator; for mine he is an epic fail on both accounts.
Maybe these two fools have made him look good, but for mine, Marto has been a revelation...
Belnakor
10 Aug 2009, 13:34
Stewy has done an alright job. Martyo does really seem to know his cricket though, if Matthews wasn't interupting every 5 seconds it would be even better.
As its well known in cricketing circles that MacGill is a knob of a bloke on and off the field! However i cant help but laugh when he takes the piss out of himself! At least he knows he was shit!
THRILLHO
10 Aug 2009, 14:17
Clark plays for Sydney Uni.
As its well known in cricketing circles that MacGill is a knob of a bloke on and off the field! However i cant help but laugh when he takes the piss out of himself! At least he knows he was shit!
I can't stand it when he takes the piss out of himself, he wasn't that bad of a player. He probably would of played 100 test matches if it wasn't for the one S.K Warne.
I think your criticisms are valid but I don't actually mind them strangely.
I think your criticisms are valid but I don't actually mind them strangely.
lol good call, that how I feel about it.
bunsen burner
10 Aug 2009, 15:40
For many years Martyn was the aloof type; stand-offish with the media, no real public profile. He's not and has never been aloof. He got burnt by the media early so maintained a low profile. He does however have a reputation of being prickly to deal with. He just doesn't like being f***ed with.
As it happens I went to school with McGill. Total tosspot. As a grade cricketer in WA he alientated himself and then did the same thing in NSW (played for a number of clubs in both states and had to keep moving because he couldn't get on with people). He also rubbed up many of his NSW and Australia team mates the wrong way. He allegedly once gave Mark Waugh a spray that didn't go down well and also had fisticuffs with Colin Miller. By the time his career was near an end he played for St George and his head was firmly pulled in. I think he's don't well battling his illness and think he's finally overcome it (that'd be f***wit disease).
Greg Matthews. Always has been and always will be a complete and utter f***wit. He has a terminal case. Unfortunately he'll carry it to the grave.
The rose between two thorns
My Daughter certainly thinks so!:)
wotdoiput
10 Aug 2009, 16:03
Marto is a gun pure and simple. The other two can basically go and get f***ed. They are both beyond horrible. Oh and Greg try to pronounce Hauritz properly at least once before the series is over.
MacGill has been pathetic in his role as host and anchor of the coverage. Most of the time he looks completely lost, has stuttered and stammered through most of the material he was required to present, his voice is annoying and shrill, his opinions narcissistic and generally clueless, and to top it off he has a face you just want to punch.
MacGill's work is representative of shows you would see on Channel 31.
The big lesson to be learned by SBS is to employ an experienced TV host next time to give the coverage some semblance of professionalism. Doesn't have to be an cricket expert, that's what the other two are employed to provide, but needs to be smooth and articulate.
Marto has done a decent job, but IMO needs to be a bit more objective with his observations. Some of the time it was like he was fronting a CA press conference and trying his best to put a good spin on what were very poor performances.
Mo is Mo. You know what you are going to get and he won't change. He is at his best when debating a point with another disagreeing panelist (ie Jones in '05), so with Marto on the fence so often he didn't have anyone to argue with.
The 2005 team of Simon Hill, Deano and Mo worked MUCH better than their current mob. There should be legislation banning MacGill from hosting another Ashes series again.
JimDocker
10 Aug 2009, 16:49
As its well known in cricketing circles that MacGill is a knob of a bloke on and off the field! However i cant help but laugh when he takes the piss out of himself! At least he knows he was shit!
I find him annoying and from all I have heard that is just the start of it.
Complete wanker...... but shit ?????
44 test matches, 208 wickets, ave 29.02, 5 wickets in an innings 12 times. That is not shit. He just is not as good as Warne.
His match against the ICC world 11 for instance
4 for 39 followed by 5 for 43.
bunsen burner
10 Aug 2009, 17:16
For a number of years he was the second best spin bowler in the world behind Warne and the second biggest f***wit in the world behind Greg Matthews.
GoldenSky
10 Aug 2009, 17:27
How awful is Shane Warne as a commentator? God he just rambles on and on, often not knowing what he is even saying. Just shut up for two seconds and let people watch!!
Bombers_Forever
10 Aug 2009, 17:40
Agree - Martyn has been impressive. I still get distracted by his wedding ring - didn't his missus throw him out of the house earlier in the year for having an affair?
Matthews - adds nothing to the coverage besides showing how arrogant and biased he is. SBS could have got someone better, surely?
MacGill - he isn't that bad. He needs to tell less jokes at times and he isn't as "smooth" as other TV anchors but hosting is a tough gig. In saying that, I would rather him than some anchor who only knows soccer. I give SBS credit for at least having 3 cricketers, it would have been very easy to throw in an anchor of soccer and try to pretend they know cricket.
JimDocker
10 Aug 2009, 17:48
How awful is Shane Warne as a commentator? God he just rambles on and on, often not knowing what he is even saying. Just shut up for two seconds and let people watch!!
As an Englishman, I can say that Warne has been the highlight of the coverage for me.
I have heard Bumble for years on the radio so he didn't offer anything new and I found the others fairly dull, but enjoyed Warney !
I quite enjoy listening to Mo's comments and opinions .. i find them quite funny and i like how hes straight to the point and not a fence sitter.. and I also love Shane Warnes commentary, thank god we had him up there last test when Rudi was making all those blunders ..
robby bobson
10 Aug 2009, 18:26
I think your criticisms are valid but I don't actually mind them strangely.
Me too , i like the trio .
McGill is a wanker no doubt , but it is good to see him make a fool of himself night after night .
Mo doesn't bother me at all , definitely knows cricket and has passion .
Martyn is a gun , he doesn't have to say much but what he says is usually spot on . I get the feeling with his accent that he would be great commentating Soccerroos games .
davey_magik
10 Aug 2009, 18:42
The bias from Mo and MacGill gets to me, and I hate England as much as anyone.
Marto has been doing a good job, could have a future as a pundit.
They aren't too bad now. Still not a fan of MacGill's work, but at least he isn't too mechanical I suppose. Martyn sits on the fence at times, and looks a bit nervous, but most of the time that is when Macgill and Matthews are having an argument about something. Would probably be better next to different people.
I like Matthews. May be unprofessional, but he is passionate, and quite amusing to listen to.
Bomber Bears
10 Aug 2009, 18:47
Greg Matthews is easily the best of the bunch, says what is on his mind. And i love the accusations of bias from our victorian friends, i think he was pretty right in suggesting Clark get picked!
Marto is the sit on the fence guy, Macgill is just a bit amateur.
All better than Ian Healy at least!
Black Thunder
11 Aug 2009, 00:50
How awful is Shane Warne as a commentator? God he just rambles on and on, often not knowing what he is even saying. Just shut up for two seconds and let people watch!!
:eek: :eek:
warney has been great. he's cricketing analysis is absolutely top class and he rarely gets things wrong.
as for the sbs team - macgill started poorly - was really static and mechanical... awkward to listen too, he kinda got a bit better towards the end of the second test, and then resorted to taking the piss out of himself constantly - the first few times was fine but he does it over and over again.
martyn has a good cricketing brain but isn't opinionated at all and is quite bland to listen too. what he says is usually good though.
matthews is a wanker but has a really intelligent cricket brain and likewise gets things right far more than he does. unfortunately he just does it in an overly exuberant manner and is redicolously bias.
Chops_a_must
11 Aug 2009, 01:02
How awful is Shane Warne as a commentator? God he just rambles on and on, often not knowing what he is even saying. Just shut up for two seconds and let people watch!!
Warney is the highlight of the series for me... again.
Having spoken to him a few times, I don't know how anyone could say a bad word about him. Funny funny man with real wit and an enormous cricket brain.
I quite enjoy listening to Mo's comments and opinions .. i find them quite funny and i like how hes straight to the point and not a fence sitter.. and I also love Shane Warnes commentary, thank god we had him up there last test when Rudi was making all those blunders ..
Referring to Ian Bell as sherman still, he can't help himself warney loves a sledge. Its good to listen to his thoughts as we all know he is one of the best cricketing minds ever to play for Australia, also gives a pretty balanced view as well. Get him on board for channel 9 this summer!
Invigoration
11 Aug 2009, 11:27
Every story seems to mysteriously link back to MacGill's career, **** it shits me. I laugh at him at a lot of the time simply because he is such a tard, but Stewy, we get it, you played for Australia; move on mate. He also continually does the same jokes with Rodney, every time they cross to him MacGill says he is the one who is actually in great form and Australia should bring him in or some shit.
Spoon is alright, doesn't offer a heap in my opinion, he is pretty cliche', mumbles a fair bit too. He has got the eyes though, so he wins.
THRILLHO
12 Aug 2009, 16:50
Warney is a great commentator, but he does seem to get annoyed that, occasionally the bowling of a ball gets in the way of him speaking!
Dujon11
12 Aug 2009, 19:23
Martyn is boring as bat shite, his response to every question is - "im not sure". Offers nothing.
At least Mo sparks it up by offering insight and educated opinion. Controversial at times, but entertaining.
Macgill I could take or leave, that eyebrow raise his quite annoying.
Jordan...
12 Aug 2009, 19:47
Marto is still a prick. Enough said about him.
MacGill should of never been given the job to host the Ashes ffs, he is an absolute novice and his work is pretty shocking.
Matthews.... Your probably one rung below Martyn. Just about unbearable and your suggestions for selection/bowling changes/playing styles of players is absolutely terrible. Not a cricket commentator at all.
holybishop
13 Aug 2009, 13:09
I think SBS's team has been alright. Marto has grown more comfortable with the role as the series has progressed. Needs more air time over Matthews. Macgil though has been the revelation in my mind. Tries to be funny which makes you laugh more at him than with him but like some have said, it's his first time hosting so he's doing a great job. Nine better get these two on their summer coverage. Replace some of the shit which plagues their commentary booth.
Warne though has been mixed for me. His cricket knowledge cannot be questioned and he is pretty funny at times, but he's far too biased as a commentator. I know if you've got that link to Australia it's hard to shake off the bias while commentating, but he can at least try. What was the driving stake to the heart though was when he questioned Hawk Eye on one of Ian Bell's LBW decisions by Rudi. Warne was wrong when he initially said it was out but when hawk eye proved him wrong, instead of admitting he was wrong, he had the nerve to question the accuracy of a system which has been relied upon by broadcasters for years and critics are calling for it to be used in an appeals system. He stooped to a new low there.