Fact GRAND FINAL COMMENTATOR LIST (Television)

[Mighty Eagles]

For some reason I keep on thinking about the commentators that have provided the sounds to add to the sights of Grand Final Day. This list is by no means complete (all from memory), and I hope people can fill the blanks and correct the errors where necessary.


CHANNEL 7
2008 (Geel vs HAW): [Play by Play] Bruce McAVANEY, Dennis COMETTI; [Special Comments] Nathan BUCKLEY, David SCHWARZ; [Boundary] Ricky OLARENSHAW
2001 (BRIS vs Ess): [PbP] McAVANEY, Sandy ROBERTS; [Special] Jason DUNSTALL, Gerard HEALY; [Boundary] Robert DiPIERDOMENICO, Matthew CAMPBELL
2000 (ESS vs Melb): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS; [Special] DUNSTALL, HEALY; [Boundary]
1999 (ROOS vs Carl): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS, Ian ROBERTSON; [Special] DUNSTALL, HEALY; [Boundary] DIPPER, Richard OSBORNE
1998 (Roos vs ADEL): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS, COMETTI; [Special] Tim WATSON, Leigh MATTHEWS, Peter McKENNA (Sharp Shooter); [Boundary] DIPPER, Neil KERLEY
1997 (St.K vs ADEL): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS, COMETTI; [Special] , McKENNA (Sharp Shooter), John RUSSO (4th Umpire), (Video Analysis); [Boundary] DIPPER, Neil KERLEY
1996 (Syd vs NM): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS; [Special] Leigh MATTHEWS; [Boundary] DIPPER, Neil KERLEY
1995 (CARL vs Geel): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, ROBERTSON; [Special] Malcolm BLIGHT; [Boundary] DIPPER
1994 (WC vs Geel): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] HEALY; [Boundary] DIPPER
1993 (Carl vs ESS): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, ROBERTSON; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1992 (Geel vs WC): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, COMETTI; [Special] Ross GLENDINNING; [Boundary] Bernie QUINLAN,
1991 (HAW vs WC): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] SCOTT; [Boundary] Bernie QUINLAN,
1990 (Ess vs COLL): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, ROBERTSON; [Special] SCOTT; [Boundary] Michael ROBERTS
1989 (HAW vs Geel): [PbP] ROBERTSON, COMETTI; [Special] SCOTT; [Boundary] M.ROBERTS
1988 (HAW vs Melb): [PbP] Drew MORPHETT, COMETTI; [Special] BLIGHT; [Boundary] SCOTT, QUINLAN
1986 (HAW vs Carl): [PbP] Peter LANDY, Lou RICHARDS; [Special] Bob SKILTON; [Boundary] Peter DONEGAN
1985 (ESS vs Haw): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary] DONEGAN
1984 (ESS vs Haw): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary] Stephen PHILLIPS
1983 (Ess vs HAW): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1982 (CARL vs Rich): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1981 (CARL vs Coll): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1980 (RICH vs Coll): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1979 (Coll vs CARL): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1978 (North vs HAW): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1977 (NORTH vs Coll): [PbP] Peter EWIN, RICHARDS; [Special] Jack EDWARDS; [Boundary]
1976 (HAW vs North): [PbP] Michael WILLIAMSON, RICHARDS; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1975 (Haw vs NORTH): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, RICHARDS; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1974 (RICH vs North): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, RICHARDS; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1973 (RICH vs Carl): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1972 (Rich vs CARL): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1971 (HAW vs St.K): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, EDWARDS, SKILTON, Frank ADAMS, Jeff CROUCH; [Special] Ron BARASSI; [Boundary]
1970 (Coll vs CARL): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1969 : [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1968 (Ess vs CARL): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1967 (Geel vs RICH): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1966 (Coll vs ST.K): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1965 (ESS vs St.K): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1964 (MELB vs Coll): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1963 (Haw vs GEEL): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1962 (MELB vs Coll): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1961 (HAW vs Foots): [PbP] Geoff RAYMOND, WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]


CHANNEL 10
2009 (GEEL vs St.K): [PbP] Stephen QUARTERMAIN, Tim LANE; [Special] Robert WALLS, Luke DARCY; [Boundary] Andrew MAHER, Mark HOWARD
CHANNEL 10
2007 (GEEL vs Port): [PbP] Anthony HUDSON, LANE; [Special] WALLS, Michael VOSS; [Boundary] Andrew MAHER, Corey WINGARD?
2006 (WC vs Syd): [PbP] QUARTERMAIN, HUDSON; [Special] WALLS, BLIGHT; [Boundary] Neil CORDY, Tim GOSSAGE?
2005 (WC vs SYD): [PbP] QUARTERMAIN, LANE; [Special] WALLS, Stephen SILVAGNI; [Boundary] Neil CORDY, Tim GOSSAGE?
2004 (WC vs Syd): [PbP] LANE, HUDSON; [Special] WALLS; [Boundary]
2003 (BRIS vs Coll): [PbP] QUARTERMAIN, HUDSON; [Special] WALLS; [Boundary] Christi MALTHOUSE,
2003 (BRIS vs Coll): [PbP] QUARTERMAIN, HUDSON; [Special] WALLS, BLIGHT; [Boundary] Christi MALTHOUSE, Gerard WHATELEY


ABC
1987 (CARL vs Haw): [PbP] LANE, MORPHETT; [Special] Kevin BARTLETT; [Boundary] ROBERTSON
1986 (Carl vs HAW):[/B] [PbP] LANE, MORPHETT, Doug HEYWOOD?

Great work - can we please update this?

Happy to help

 

[Heardy_101]

Tom Watson was also a BR with RO in 2008

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Bumped...

CHANNEL 7

2017 (Adel v RICH): [Play by Play] Bruce McAVANEY, Brian TAYLOR; [Special Comments] Wayne CAREY, Cameron LING; [Boundary] Matthew RICHARDSON, Tim WATSON
2016 (Syd v WB): [PbP] McAVANEY, Dennis COMETTI; [Special] LING, CAREY, Leigh MATTHEWS; [Boundary] RICHARDSON, WATSON
2015 (HAW v WC): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] CAREY, LING; [Boundary] RICHARDSON, WATSON
2014 (Syd v HAW): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] CAREY, LING, MATTHEWS; [Boundary] RICHARDSON, WATSON
2013 (HAW v Freo): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] CAREY, LING, MATTHEWS; [Boundary] RICHARDSON, WATSON
2012 (Haw v SYD): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] Tom HARLEY, MATTHEWS; [Boundary] RICHARDSON, LING
2010 (COLL vs St.K): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] MATTHEWS, HARLEY; [Boundary] RICHARDSON, WATSON
2008 (Geel vs HAW): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] Nathan BUCKLEY, David SCHWARZ; [Boundary] Ricky OLARENSHAW
2001 (BRIS vs Ess): [PbP] McAVANEY, Sandy ROBERTS; [Special] Jason DUNSTALL, Gerard HEALY; [Boundary] Robert DiPIERDOMENICO, Matthew CAMPBELL
2000 (ESS vs Melb): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS; [Special] DUNSTALL, HEALY; [Boundary]
1999 (ROOS vs Carl): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS, Ian ROBERTSON; [Special] DUNSTALL, HEALY; [Boundary] DIPPER, Richard OSBORNE
1998 (Roos vs ADEL): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS, COMETTI; [Special] Tim WATSON, Leigh MATTHEWS, Peter McKENNA (Sharp Shooter); [Boundary] DIPPER, Neil KERLEY
1997 (St.K vs ADEL): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS, COMETTI; [Special] , McKENNA (Sharp Shooter), John RUSSO (4th Umpire), (Video Analysis); [Boundary] DIPPER, Neil KERLEY
1996 (Syd vs NM): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS; [Special] Leigh MATTHEWS; [Boundary] DIPPER, Neil KERLEY
1995 (CARL vs Geel): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, ROBERTSON; [Special] Malcolm BLIGHT; [Boundary] DIPPER
1994 (WC vs Geel): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] HEALY; [Boundary] DIPPER
1993 (Carl vs ESS): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, ROBERTSON; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1992 (Geel vs WC): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, COMETTI; [Special] Ross GLENDINNING; [Boundary] Bernie QUINLAN,
1991 (HAW vs WC): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] SCOTT; [Boundary] Bernie QUINLAN,
1990 (Ess vs COLL): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, ROBERTSON; [Special] SCOTT; [Boundary] Michael ROBERTS
1989 (HAW vs Geel): [PbP] ROBERTSON, COMETTI; [Special] SCOTT; [Boundary] M.ROBERTS
1988 (HAW vs Melb): [PbP] Drew MORPHETT, COMETTI; [Special] BLIGHT; [Boundary] SCOTT, QUINLAN
1986 (HAW vs Carl): [PbP] Peter LANDY, Lou RICHARDS; [Special] Bob SKILTON; [Boundary] Peter DONEGAN
1985 (ESS vs Haw): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary] DONEGAN
1984 (ESS vs Haw): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary] Stephen PHILLIPS
1983 (Ess vs HAW): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1982 (CARL vs Rich): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1981 (CARL vs Coll): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1980 (RICH vs Coll): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1979 (Coll vs CARL): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1978 (North vs HAW): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1977 (NORTH vs Coll): [PbP] Peter EWIN, RICHARDS; [Special] Jack EDWARDS; [Boundary]
1976 (HAW vs North): [PbP] Michael WILLIAMSON, RICHARDS; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1975 (Haw vs NORTH): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, RICHARDS; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1974 (RICH vs North): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, RICHARDS; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1973 (RICH vs Carl): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1972 (Rich vs CARL): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1971 (HAW vs St.K): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, EDWARDS, SKILTON, Frank ADAMS, Jeff CROUCH; [Special] Ron BARASSI; [Boundary]
1970 (Coll vs CARL): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1969 : [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1968 (Ess vs CARL): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1967 (Geel vs RICH): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1966 (Coll vs ST.K): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1965 (ESS vs St.K): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1964 (MELB vs Coll): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1963 (Haw vs GEEL): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1962 (MELB vs Coll): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1961 (HAW vs Foots): [PbP] Geoff RAYMOND, WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]

CHANNEL 10

2011 (Coll v GEEL): [PbP] Stephen QUARTERMAIN, Anthony HUDSON; [Special] Matthew LLOYD, Luke DARCY; [Boundary]Andrew MAHER, Mark HOWARD
2009 (St.K v GEEL): [PbP] QUARTERMAIN, Tim LANE; [Special] Robert WALLS, DARCY; [Boundary] Andrew MAHER, Mark HOWARD
2007 (GEEL vs Port): [PbP] HUDSON, LANE; [Special] WALLS, Michael VOSS; [Boundary] Andrew MAHER, Corey WINGARD?
2006 (WC vs Syd): [PbP] QUARTERMAIN, HUDSON; [Special] WALLS, BLIGHT; [Boundary] Neil CORDY, Tim GOSSAGE?
2005 (WC vs SYD): [PbP] QUARTERMAIN, LANE; [Special] WALLS, Stephen SILVAGNI; [Boundary] Neil CORDY, Tim GOSSAGE?
2004 (PORT vs Bris): [PbP] LANE, HUDSON; [Special] WALLS; [Boundary]
2003 (BRIS vs Coll): [PbP] QUARTERMAIN, HUDSON; [Special] WALLS; [Boundary] Christi MALTHOUSE,
2002 (BRIS vs Coll): [PbP] QUARTERMAIN, HUDSON; [Special] WALLS, BLIGHT; [Boundary] Christi MALTHOUSE, Gerard WHATELEY

ABC

1987 (CARL vs Haw): [PbP] LANE, MORPHETT; [Special] Kevin BARTLETT; [Boundary] ROBERTSON
1986 (Carl vs HAW): [PbP] LANE, MORPHETT, Doug HEYWOOD?

 

[Heardy_101]

Who are we up for this year?

 

[Jascave]

Which play by play commentator has called the most AFL Grand Finals on TV, regardless of which network he worked for?

 

[Saintly Viewed]

Always intrigued how Steve Silvagni got a couple of GF gigs as special comments?
He has always struggled to string sentences together and say anything insightful.

Eg, a team would score a goal, he’d say: the team really needed that.

As a rule your special comments guy should be a terrific analyst and very articulate eg Leigh Matthews.

 

[Occidental]

Mike Williamson was my favourite all time commentator. Was never a player - he was a professional broadcaster / TV host. Fantastic speaking voice, knew all the players and really played up to the emotion of the game.
He commentated a run of excitingly close Grand Finals 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971... And always would ask "This could be a draw?".
He quit after 1976.
The next year was a draw.

 

[Saintly Viewed]

Mike Williamson was my favourite all time commentator. Was never a player - he was a professional broadcaster / TV host. Fantastic speaking voice, knew all the players and really played up to the emotion of the game.
He commentated a run of excitingly close Grand Finals 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971... And always would ask "This could be a draw?".
He quit after 1976.
The next year was a draw.

And with Ted Whitten “hit the boundary line.”

 

[Jascave]

Mike Williamson was my favourite all time commentator. Was never a player - he was a professional broadcaster / TV host. Fantastic speaking voice, knew all the players and really played up to the emotion of the game.
He commentated a run of excitingly close Grand Finals 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971... And always would ask "This could be a draw?".
He quit after 1976.
The next year was a draw.

Mike Williamson must still be kicking himself for leaving the Seven Network in 1977, thereby missing the chance of calling the first live telecast of the AFL Grand Final with the late Lou Richards which ended up being a drawn game.


On iPad using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Bruce has finished commentating footy, after commentating 19 grand finals starting with his first in 1991.

Bumped again...

CHANNEL 7

2020 (RICH v Geel): [Play by Play] Bruce McAVANEY, Brian TAYLOR; [Special Comments] Luke HODGE, Michael VOSS; [Boundary] Abbey HOLMES
2019 (RICH v GWS): [PbP] McAVANEY, TAYLOR; [Special] Wayne CAREY, Cameron LING; [Boundary] Matthew RICHARDSON

Matthew Richardson

Age

49

Ht

195cm

Wt

104kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.0

4star

K

10.9

4star

HB

3.1

3star

M

8.0

5star

T

0.5

3star

No current season stats available

D

15.0

4star

K

9.2

4star

HB

5.8

4star

M

7.8

5star

T

0.8

3star

, Daisy PEARCE
2018 (WC v Coll): [PbP] McAVANEY, TAYLOR; [Special] CAREY, LING; [Boundary] RICHARDSON, PEARCE
2017 (Adel v RICH): [PbP] McAVANEY, TAYLOR; [Special] CAREY, LING; [Boundary] RICHARDSON, Tim WATSON
2016 (Syd v WB): [PbP] McAVANEY, Dennis COMETTI; [Special] LING, CAREY, Leigh MATTHEWS; [Boundary] RICHARDSON, WATSON
2015 (HAW v WC): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] CAREY, LING; [Boundary] RICHARDSON, WATSON
2014 (Syd v HAW): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] CAREY, LING, MATTHEWS; [Boundary] RICHARDSON, WATSON
2013 (HAW v Freo): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] CAREY, LING, MATTHEWS; [Boundary] RICHARDSON, WATSON
2012 (Haw v SYD): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] Tom HARLEY, MATTHEWS; [Boundary] RICHARDSON, LING
2010 (COLL vs St.K): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] MATTHEWS, HARLEY; [Boundary] RICHARDSON, WATSON
2008 (Geel vs HAW): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] Nathan BUCKLEY, David SCHWARZ; [Boundary] Ricky OLARENSHAW
2001 (BRIS vs Ess): [PbP] McAVANEY, Sandy ROBERTS; [Special] Jason DUNSTALL, Gerard HEALY; [Boundary] Robert DiPIERDOMENICO, Matthew CAMPBELL
2000 (ESS vs Melb): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS; [Special] DUNSTALL, HEALY; [Boundary]
1999 (ROOS vs Carl): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS, Ian ROBERTSON; [Special] DUNSTALL, HEALY; [Boundary] DIPPER, Richard OSBORNE
1998 (Roos vs ADEL): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS, COMETTI; [Special] Tim WATSON, Leigh MATTHEWS, Peter McKENNA (Sharp Shooter); [Boundary] DIPPER, Neil KERLEY
1997 (St.K vs ADEL): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS, COMETTI; [Special] , McKENNA (Sharp Shooter), John RUSSO (4th Umpire), (Video Analysis); [Boundary] DIPPER, Neil KERLEY
1996 (Syd vs NM): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS; [Special] Leigh MATTHEWS; [Boundary] DIPPER, Neil KERLEY
1995 (CARL vs Geel): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, ROBERTSON; [Special] Malcolm BLIGHT; [Boundary] DIPPER
1994 (WC vs Geel): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] HEALY; [Boundary] DIPPER
1993 (Carl vs ESS): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, ROBERTSON; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1992 (Geel vs WC): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, COMETTI; [Special] Ross GLENDINNING; [Boundary] Bernie QUINLAN,
1991 (HAW vs WC): [PbP] McAVANEY, COMETTI; [Special] SCOTT; [Boundary] Bernie QUINLAN,
1990 (Ess vs COLL): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, ROBERTSON; [Special] SCOTT; [Boundary] Michael ROBERTS
1989 (HAW vs Geel): [PbP] ROBERTSON, COMETTI; [Special] SCOTT; [Boundary] M.ROBERTS
1988 (HAW vs Melb): [PbP] Drew MORPHETT, COMETTI; [Special] BLIGHT; [Boundary] SCOTT, QUINLAN
1986 (HAW vs Carl): [PbP] Peter LANDY, Lou RICHARDS; [Special] Bob SKILTON; [Boundary] Peter DONEGAN
1985 (ESS vs Haw): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary] DONEGAN
1984 (ESS vs Haw): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary] Stephen PHILLIPS
1983 (Ess vs HAW): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1982 (CARL vs Rich): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1981 (CARL vs Coll): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1980 (RICH vs Coll): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1979 (Coll vs CARL): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] SKILTON; [Boundary]
1978 (North vs HAW): [PbP] LANDY, RICHARDS; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1977 (NORTH vs Coll): [PbP] Peter EWIN, RICHARDS; [Special] Jack EDWARDS; [Boundary]
1976 (HAW vs North): [PbP] Michael WILLIAMSON, RICHARDS; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1975 (Haw vs NORTH): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, RICHARDS; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1974 (RICH vs North): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, RICHARDS; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1973 (RICH vs Carl): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1972 (Rich vs CARL): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1971 (HAW vs St.K): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, EDWARDS, SKILTON, Frank ADAMS, Jeff CROUCH; [Special] Ron BARASSI; [Boundary]
1970 (Coll vs CARL): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1969 (RICH vs Carl) : [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1968 (Ess vs CARL): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1967 (Geel vs RICH): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1966 (Coll vs ST.K): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] Ted WHITTEN; [Boundary]
1965 (ESS vs St.K): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, Alan GALE; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1964 (MELB vs Coll): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1963 (Haw vs GEEL): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1962 (ESS vs Carl): [PbP] WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]
1961 (HAW vs Foots): [PbP] Geoff RAYMOND, WILLIAMSON, ; [Special] ; [Boundary]

CHANNEL 10

2011 (Coll v GEEL): [PbP] Stephen QUARTERMAIN, Anthony HUDSON; [Special] Matthew LLOYD, Luke DARCY; [Boundary]Andrew MAHER, Mark HOWARD
2009 (St.K v GEEL): [PbP] QUARTERMAIN, Tim LANE; [Special] Robert WALLS, DARCY; [Boundary] Andrew MAHER, Mark HOWARD
2007 (GEEL vs Port): [PbP] HUDSON, LANE; [Special] WALLS, Michael VOSS; [Boundary] Andrew MAHER, Corey WINGARD?
2006 (WC vs Syd): [PbP] QUARTERMAIN, HUDSON; [Special] WALLS, BLIGHT; [Boundary] Neil CORDY, Tim GOSSAGE?
2005 (WC vs SYD): [PbP] QUARTERMAIN, LANE; [Special] WALLS, Stephen SILVAGNI; [Boundary] Neil CORDY, Tim GOSSAGE?
2004 (PORT vs Bris): [PbP] LANE, HUDSON; [Special] WALLS; [Boundary]
2003 (BRIS vs Coll): [PbP] QUARTERMAIN, HUDSON; [Special] WALLS; [Boundary] Christi MALTHOUSE,
2002 (BRIS vs Coll): [PbP] QUARTERMAIN, HUDSON; [Special] WALLS, BLIGHT; [Boundary] Christi MALTHOUSE, Gerard WHATELEY

ABC

1987 (CARL vs Haw): [PbP] LANE, MORPHETT; [Special] Kevin BARTLETT; [Boundary] ROBERTSON
1986 (Carl vs HAW): [PbP] LANE, MORPHETT, Doug HEYWOOD?

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Which play by play commentator has called the most AFL Grand Final s on TV, regardless of which network he worked for?

Bruce McAvaney (19) = 1991, 1994, 1996-2001, 2008, 2010, 2012-2020

Mike Williamson (16) = 1961-1976

Dennis Cometti (15) = 1987-1989, 1991-1992, 1994, 1997-1998, 2008, 2010, 2012-2016

Lou Richards (13) = 1974-1986

Sandy Roberts (10) = 1990, 1992-1993, 1995-2001

Peter Landy (9) = 1978-1986

Alan Gale (6) = 1965-1970

Anthony Hudson (6) = 2002-2004, 2006-2007, 2011

Ian Robertson (6) = 1989-1990, 1993, 1995, 1999

Tim Lane (5) = 1987, 2004-2005, 2007, 2009

Stephen Quartermain (5) = 2002-2003, 2006, 2009, 2011

Brian Taylor (4) = 2017-2020

Drew Morphett (2) = 1987-1988

 

[Jascave]

Bruce McAvaney (19) = 1991, 1994, 1996-2001, 2008, 2010, 2012-2020

Mike Williamson (16) = 1961-1976

Dennis Cometti (15) = 1987-1989, 1991-1992, 1994, 1997-1998, 2008, 2010, 2012-2016

Lou Richards (13) = 1974-1986

Sandy Roberts (10) = 1990, 1992-1993, 1995-2001

Peter Landy (9) = 1978-1986

Alan Gale (6) = 1965-1970

Anthony Hudson (6) = 2002-2004, 2006-2007, 2011

Ian Robertson (6) = 1989-1990, 1993, 1995, 1999

Tim Lane (5) = 1987, 2004-2005, 2007, 2009

Stephen Quartermain (5) = 2002-2003, 2006, 2009, 2011

Brian Taylor (4) = 2017-2020

Drew Morphett (2) = 1987-1988

I noticed that Peter Ewin's name isn't there. Remember, Ewin called two grand finals in the one year-the draw and the replay between North Melbourne and Collingwood in 1977.

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

I noticed that Peter Ewin's name isn't there. Remember, Ewin called two grand finals in the one year-the draw and the replay between North Melbourne and Collingwood in 1977.

Yep that's right. Forgot to include him.

 

[Catsace]

Yep that's right. Forgot to include him.

Wonder what ever became of Peter Ewin. He had a great calling voice, his description of the Manassa goal will live for ever. A real one-season wonder for the GF's of 1977l....did he call any commentary in regular VFL games in subsequent years?

 

[wagstaff]

Mike Williamson must still be kicking himself for leaving the Seven Network in 1977, thereby missing the chance of calling the first live telecast of the AFL Grand Final with the late Lou Richards which ended up being a drawn game.


On iPad using BigFooty.com mobile app

Williamson used to do footy events at shopping centres with AFL players of the day back in the 1990s.

I went to one of them and he was chatting with some of the audience afterwards and someone asked him about leaving ch 7 and footy commentating in 1976. He said it was the best move he ever made as Ch 7 was full of politics and low pay and he was treated much better at Ch 9. He said he was telling Lou Richards for a decade to come over to Ch 9 (which he did in 1987).

 

[brutus76]

Ross Glendinning and Bernie Quinlan were the boundary riders for the 1993 GF

Bernie was in the Essendon rooms and huddle and Ross did the Carlton rooms and huddle

 

[Chicken Parma]

Inspired by PonsfordMagpie's post above, I've compiled a list of those who have done the most Grand Finals in a "special comments" role, regardless of network:

Bob Skilton (9) = 1979-1987

Leigh Matthews (7) = 1996, 1998, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016

Cameron Ling (7) = 2013-2019

Wayne Carey (7) = 2013-2019

Robert Walls (7) = 2002-2007, 2009

Gerard Healy (5) = 1993, 1994, 1999-2001

Ted Whitten (5) = 1966-1970

Malcolm Blight (4) = 1988, 1995, 2002, 2006

Jason Dunstall (3) = 1999-2001

Don Scott (3) = 1989-1991

Peter McKenna (2) = 1997-1998

Michael Voss (2) = 2007, 2020

Tom Harley (2) = 2010, 2012

Luke Darcy (2) = 2009, 2011

Might do a boundary riders list soon.

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]

Inspired by PonsfordMagpie's post above, I've compiled a list of those who have done the most Grand Finals in a "special comments" role, regardless of network:

Bob Skilton (8) = 1979-1986

Leigh Matthews (7) = 1996, 1998, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016

Cameron Ling (7) = 2013-2019

Wayne Carey (7) = 2013-2019

Robert Walls (7) = 2002-2007, 2009

Ted Whitten (5) = 1966-1970

Malcolm Blight (4) = 1988, 1995, 2002, 2006

Gerard Healy (4) = 1994, 1999-2001

Jason Dunstall (3) = 1999-2001

Don Scott (3) = 1989-1991

Peter McKenna (2) = 1997-1998

Michael Voss (2) = 2007, 2020

Tom Harley (2) = 2010, 2012

Luke Darcy (2) = 2009, 2011

Might do a boundary riders list soon.

I've heard all of them and of that lot, I'd listen to Leigh Matthews, Carey, Blight, Dunstall, Don Scott (personal favourite, he used to do the u/19s gf a lot when they had all three gf on the day) and that would be it.

I like Mark Soderstrom on the boundary and Daisy Pearce too.

 

[Jascave]

Williamson used to do footy events at shopping centres with AFL players of the day back in the 1990s.

I went to one of them and he was chatting with some of the audience afterwards and someone asked him about leaving ch 7 and footy commentating in 1976. He said it was the best move he ever made as Ch 7 was full of politics and low pay and he was treated much better at Ch 9. He said he was telling Lou Richards for a decade to come over to Ch 9 (which he did in 1987).

It wasn't just Mike Williamson who left Seven during this period, the late Brian Naylor who was Seven's chief newsreader walked out on Seven because of the same reasons to join Nine. Mal Walden was announced as Seven's new newsreader on Grand Final eve, 1977.

 

[BigVic]

3 play-by-play commentators used in 1997 & 98 plus a Sharp-shooter

 

[Chicken Parma]

3 play-by-play commentators used in 1997 & 98 plus a Sharp-shooter

As macca_1990 put it:

You wouldn't have wanted someone to drop a big fart in the box at the start of the quarter. Cause those commentary boxes at the 'G weren't that big before the revamp!

 

[BigVic]

1997 (St.K vs ADEL): [PbP] McAVANEY, S.ROBERTS, COMETTI

The dream team!

 

[Chicken Parma]

Another GF commentary-related stats dump:

Firstly, as promised, here is the ranking of Grand Final boundary riders:

Matthew Richardson (9) = 2010, 2012-2019

Robert DiPierdomenico (7) = 1994-1999, 2001

Tim Watson (6) = 2010, 2013-2017

Stephen Phillips (5) = 1980-1984

Bernie Quinlan (4) = 1988, 1991-1993

Neil Kerley (4) = 1994, 1997-1998

Andy Maher (3) = 2007, 2009, 2011

Christi Malthouse (2) = 2002, 2003

Michael Roberts (2) 1989-1990

Peter Donegan (2) = 1985-1986

Daisy Pearce (2) = 2018, 2019

Tim Gossage (2) = 2005, 2006

Mark Howard (2) = 2009, 2011

Neil Cordy (2) = 2005, 2006

Also, between 1988 and 1993, in addition to the match commentary teams, Seven used a different team for pre-match, half-time and post-match analysis:
1993: Peter McKenna and Don Scott
1992: Bruce McAvaney, McKenna and Scott
1991: Sandy Roberts, Ian Robertson and Ross Glendinning
1990: McAvaney, McKenna and Glendinning
1989: Roberts, McKenna and Glendinning
1988: Peter Landy, Robertson and McKenna

I'm also thinking of compiling a list of Reserves Grand Final commentary teams.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Was 2020’s boundary rider Hodgey?

 

[Chicken Parma]

Was 2020’s boundary rider Hodgey?

No, it was Abbey Holmes. Hodgey was in the special comments chair.

And to finish off my stats recaps, here's an incomplete list of Reserves GF commentary teams.

CHANNEL 7
1999 (StK vs Ess): [PbP] Drew MORPHETT, Dennis COMETTI [Special] Mick McGUANE, John RUSSO ("4th umpire") [Boundary] Adrian BARICH
1997 (Rich vs Haw): [PbP] MORPHETT, Ian ROBERTSON, Kevin BARTLETT [Special] Tim WATSON [Boundary] BARICH, Matthew CAMPBELL
1996 (NM vs Ess): [PbP] MORPHETT, COMETTI [Special] [Boundary]
1995 (NM vs Syd): [PbP] MORPHETT, COMETTI [Special] Gerard HEALY [Boundary] Russell MORRIS
1994 (NM vs Foots): [PbP] MORPHETT, ROBERTSON [Special] Ross GLENDINNING [Boundary] CAMPBELL
1993 (NM vs Melb): [PbP] MORPHETT, COMETTI [Special] Bernie QUINLAN [Boundary] GLENDINNING, Peter McKENNA
1992 (Ess vs Melb): [PbP] Peter LANDY, ROBERTSON [Special] QUINLAN [Boundary] McKENNA, WATSON
1991 (Melb vs Bris): [PbP] MORPHETT, McKENNA [Special] QUINLAN [Boundary] HEALY, GLENDINNING
1990 (Carl vs Melb): [PbP] LANDY, McKENNA [Special] QUINLAN [Boundary] Michael ROBERTS, GLENDINNING
1989 (Geel vs Fitz): [PbP] LANDY, MORPHETT [Special] GLENDINNING [Boundary] ROBERTS
1988 (Foots vs NM): [PbP] LANDY, McKENNA [Special] Don SCOTT [Boundary] Steve ROBILLIARD
1986 (Carl vs Foots): [PbP] Sandy ROBERTS, McKENNA [Special] SCOTT [Boundary]
1985 (Carl vs Haw): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, MCKENNA [Special] SCOTT [Boundary]
1984 (Carl vs Melb): [PbP] Graham MCNANEY, MCKENNA [Special] SCOTT [Boundary] Stephen PHILLIPS
1983 (Coll vs Ess): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, MCKENNA [Special] SCOTT [Boundary]
1981 (Ess vs Geel): [PbP] S.ROBERTS, Bob SKILTON

ABC
1987 (StK vs Carl): [PbP] Peter GEE, Geoff LEEK [Special] QUINLAN [Boundary]