Are AFL commentators (1990 onwards) better than the VFL era ones?

[Falcon3518]

Just watching some older VFL games and I’ve noticed for a while now but I can’t tell the difference between the commentators in the VFL era because of the weird accent everybody had back then. I also believe their commentary was very basic.

I know people like BT piss everybody off with the amount of background info they give on the players and of course we have the memes like “the orange team” from Kelli Underwood. But it doesn’t bother me and I sort of like it.

So what’s the verdict? Especially interested to hear from the older gents on here.




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[GROTTO]

and of course we have the memes like “the orange team” from Kelli Underwood. But it doesn’t bother me and I sort of like it.

 

[TEDDY24INC]

TV Commentary peaked late 80’s through to mid 90’s and has gone backwards since then

 

[RUNVS]

TV Commentary peaked late 80’s through to mid 90’s and has gone backwards since then

The thing is if you listen to people of a certain generation everything was better 30 or 40 years ago.

 

[Blackhawk42]

In a perfect world we'd only need Anthony Hudson, Clinton Grybas and Jason Bennett, but unfortunately it isn't a perfect world.

 

[RUNVS]

In a perfect world we'd only need Anthony Hudson, Clinton Grybas and Jason Bennett, but unfortunately it isn't a perfect world.

Yep, Brian Taylor exists.

 

[Alesana]

Just watching some older VFL games and I’ve noticed for a while now but I can’t tell the difference between the commentators in the VFL era because of the weird accent everybody had back then. I also believe their commentary was very basic.

I know people like BT piss everybody off with the amount of background info they give on the players and of course we have the memes like “the orange team” from Kelli Underwood. But it doesn’t bother me and I sort of like it.

So what’s the verdict? Especially interested to hear from the older gents on here.




Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

I reckon you'll find radio commentary is more similar to back then than tv commentary. Increased exposure, whether it be through social media, football shows, highlights packages, has I believe, meant that commentators now try to have a 'style' and desperately want their style getting maximum coverage. Just look at Dwayne Russell with his over-hyped catch phrases and exaggerated commentary, Bruce with his just plain weird almost erotic style commentary that changed over time. I think with Bruce it shows it's not the person that's the issue, as he used to be very 'normal', it's the increased coverage and the players becoming characters in some massive production. I remember when the broadcast started having intros focused on the commentators, that's added to this problem, it's made it more about them and their 'style'. They are getting people putting make-up on them, doing their hair, dressing up in suits, being made to feel like they're the stars and about to 'perform'. Dwayne consumes like 3 chocolate bars, a redbull, and a coffee before going on air, because it gets him into his over-the-top 'character' which just shouldn't be necessary, he's there to relay to the viewer what's happening, not to auction a house. There are still a few who play it straight such as Jason Bennet I believe, but they're a rare breed now, and mostly on radio, because as mentioned, their call of the game gets far less exposure than those on tv.

 

[Zevon]

I tend to agree contemporary commentators have the VFL era ones covered, although admittedly I’m not nearly old enough to have heard the VFL era ones in their heyday so I’m purely going off replays or snippets of old games. In fairness, general vernacular and the way we all speak has changed a lot over the decades so it’s probably a bit harsh judging older commentary with a modern ear.

As TEDDY24INC touched on above, commentary seems to have regressed a bit since the mid to late 90s which is when it peaked IMO. Dennis Commetti, Sandy Roberts, Drew Morphett were all great then. 1990s Bruce McAvaney was an excellent caller too (pity about the 2010s version; no comparison).

Of the current crop of TV commentators, only Huddo is up to the standard of that excellent bunch. Honourable mention to Jason Bennett who is solid too.

 

[terrybull]

No

Today they are trying to hard all the time to come up with an iconic call that will be remembered through history. Every play, mark and goal is treated with over excitement.

There were fewer exited calls back in the days, but they were natural like “Jezza you beauty”.

 

[McOrist]

Mike Williamson.



daylight


anyone else.

 

[SpiritOfCarlton]

Not a bad sort of a ... commentary

 

[Pavlovs Cat]

The thing is if you listen to people of a certain generation everything was better 30 or 40 years ago.

This grumpy old bastard would say that television and of course technology are better now at least. As for the commentators no way. We win a premiership and what gem does that idiot Brayshaw come up with? "Cats fans stand up to your full height" fmd.

 

[Plugger35]

You can't beat the late great Drew Morphett and The Winners.

Here is some rare footage of a St Kilda game on The Winners where the much improved St Kilda coming off two wins in a row were taking on Richmond,

 

[Irish BlueBagger]

From looking at old games, i think the commentators from the VFL era are best. Lou Richards, Peter Landy and Bob Skilton would be my favourite commentary trio. Ian Robertson, Sandy Roberts and Dennis Cometti would be the best of the era from 1990 onwards imo.

 

[raymond35]

You need to watch a game from the late 70s or 80s to remember how good Lou Richards and Peter Landy were. They did it for so long people took them for granted, with many disliking Landy, but they were outstanding.
The fact they did the match of the round each week helped, though they were great doing a crappy Tuesday night Escort Cup game too.

 

[Dazzler9]

I mean, how can it get any better than this gem from Brian Taylor with the Eagles down by 2 points and 1:45 on the clock in the final quarter of the 2018 GF:

"If Dom Sheed kicks this, I can think the Eagles can win the Grand Final." ?

I'm not sure ye oldey VFL commentators could have achieved that level of insight.

 

[qman]

From looking at old games, i think the commentators from the VFL era are best. Lou Richards, Peter Landy and Bob Skilton would be my favourite commentary trio. Ian Robertson, Sandy Roberts and Dennis Cometti would be the best of the era from 1990 onwards imo.

They brought excitement. Peter Landy wasn't accurate and he probably wasn't super knowledgable but man I like listening to him....lol! Him, Roberts and Cometti had great vocal tones.

 

[Vindicater]

Who did you listen to when you were 15-20 and getting into the sport?

Thats who you think is the best.

 

[qman]

Who did you listen to when you were 15-20 and getting into the sport?

Thats who you think is the best.

I tend to agree with this, I got into footy hardcore from 8 years old and I really enjoy listening to Landy, Richards, Skilton, Peter McKenna, Sandy Roberts, these types. McKenna is probably my all time fav.

 

[Franc de Borges]

Used to think Peter Landy was good but go back and have a listen to his commentary of Hawthorn games. The last quarter of the 1984 Grand Final when Hawthorn are getting steamrolled is particularly embarrassing for a 'professional'.

The best thing about late 80s/early 90s special comments was Don Scott and Peter McKenna having a crack and woeful umpiring or decision making from players.

 

[Dirty Bird]

VFL is before my time.

But comparing early AFL to modern AFL commentary.

I feel the turning point was 2010.

Before then, no issue with anyone. Even the Channel 10 crew with Quartermain, Walls etc. No issue. Or Maguire on 9. No issue.

Whether it was 7, 9, 10 or foxtel I enjoyed all of them.

However, 2010 was the season where BT's tv persona changed. Before 2010, he was fun to listen to and was one of my favourite commentators, But when it started to become more about him as a show in 2010, it made Foxtel's Sunday twilight coverage unbearable. Then slowly others tried to copycat. So commentators I once liked (ie. Russell) I quickly learned to hate (Just a warning foxtel, this plan of commentating all games with your own commentators, I hope you give Russell one of the Chanel 7 games - Even if BT commentating. I'd rather watch ads on 7 then listen to Derwayne) and other commentators have lost it (ie. Brereton) to the point they drag out 1 sentence to 4 and take forever to get to the point. Can't stand it.

The only commentator I've actually felt has improved in their time is Kelli Underwood. I mean. She has shown in the womens pre-game shows she's an idiot who knows nothing. But when it comes to actual commentating ability, she has improved. When she started, her voice was so grating I was glad they cut her from the lineup. Since coming back, sure, you get some absolute doozies of stupidity (the orange team), but I no longer feel my ears are about to bleed, and I'd rather that (Underwood's stupidity) then look at me Taylor/Russell or bias Russell.

 

[Gameova_]

Whats the big deal with Underwood saying orange team?

Never got the hate for her saying that tbh.

Best commentary was late 90s on channel 7.

 

[Randall Stevens]

The best thing about late 80s/early 90s special comments was Don Scott and Peter McKenna having a crack and woeful umpiring or decision making from players.

Some of the ABC TV commentary was like this too.
When Fox Footy show replays of games from the 70's / 80's with the ABC commentators words like 'shocking', 'pathetic' and 'disgraceful' get a regular run.

 

[CrowToon]

This is like how everyone thinks the TV shows they watched in their youth were iconic when in fact when you rewatch them they are bog average. You could probably do a more clinical comparison of the two eras with set criteria and grading scales but ultimately who cares? Both are products of their time.

The main issue with commentators in Australia is the fact it seems like a jobs for the boys when it comes to TV. Most of them don't have 'the voice' for it and so it comes up lame. There is a reason that the better commentators are the ones who didnt play AFL, they have developed their craft. Radio commentators seem to do a much better job overall even those that are ex-players (which most are)

You look to America and it seems like you have to have the voice first before you get through the gate.

 

[qman]

This is like how everyone thinks the TV shows they watched in their youth were iconic when in fact when you rewatch them they are bog average. You could probably do a more clinical comparison of the two eras with set criteria and grading scales but ultimately who cares? Both are products of their time.

The main issue with commentators in Australia is the fact it seems like a jobs for the boys when it comes to TV. Most of them don't have 'the voice' for it and so it comes up lame. There is a reason that the better commentators are the ones who didnt play AFL, they have developed their craft. Radio commentators seem to do a much better job overall even those that are ex-players (which most are)

You look to America and it seems like you have to have the voice first before you get through the gate.

Very good point, blokes like BT etc wouldn't get a job calling in the first place without the inside running but thats life in general in Australia these days.