Should commentators be held accountable for their bias? Where's the professionalism?

[Dan26]

Random moments? It was all bloody night. If it wasn't so continuous I'd have no reason to comment on it. I'm not accusing Huddo of the same. If we were able to both watch it together I think it'd become pretty obvious.

What you say is crap. You've convinced yourself of something that isn't true and are simply looking for something to confirm your bias. Why would a known Collingwood hater barrack for Collingwood?

And the reason you're not accusing Huddo of the same is because you're looking for bias "towards" a Victorian team (that isn't there) , so when Huddo shouted "YES!!!!" when Thilthorpe marked the ball with 4:10 left on the clock last night you turn a blind eye, because you aren't looking for bias towards Adelaide. You're only looking for something to confirm YOUR bias in the other direction.

Garry Lyon has zero allegiance towards the Pies.

 

[PerthBoy86]

What you say is crap. You've convinced yourself of something that isn't true and are simply looking for something to confirm your bias. Why would a known Collingwood hater barrack for Collingwood?

And the reason you're not accusing Huddo of the same is because you're looking for bias "towards" a Victorian team (that isn't there) , so when Huddo shouted "YES!!!!" when Thilthorpe marked the ball with 4:10 left on the clock last night you turn a blind eye, because you aren't looking for bias towards Adelaide. You're only looking for something to confirm YOUR bias in the other direction.

Garry Lyon has zero allegiance towards the Pies.

I don't know the why, but the fact is he was speaking from a Magpies point of view. Whether that's barracking is up to you, but if its not its mighty close to it. I think it is you who is willingly overlooking that, when he was constantly waffling on about what Collingwood were doing.

Yes I did notice that, but he is the play by player commentator and does that for both sides. I never once heard Lyon get excited for the Crows. I had no problem when he yelled 'Leo Barry you star!' In the 2005 gf, its a commentators job to reflect excitement. He's a Geelong supporter but you wouldn't know if when he called Nick Davis in the 05 semi. That's professionalism.

 

[HairyO]

Watching the game last night, I don't recall a commentator show as much blatant bias towards a side as Garry Lyon did towards Collingwood and against Adelaide. At one point he even yelled 'yes' when a Pies player marked it. It was ALWAYS from a Collingwood point of view, what they needed to do etc, and of course he was all over the Crows when they got the rub, ignoring when the Pies got the rub early on. Granted some where there, but there was no consistency. I thought he was a Melbourne man? Or is it a directive to just boost the Vic side?

I swear Eddie Maguire actually seemed pretty impartial as a commentator in comparison, at least from what I remember. Even when he got excited when Tarrant or Cloke marked the ball lol. Pavlich is another serial offender when the Eagles are playing. His anti Eagles bias also seems a lot clearer than his pro Dockers for some reason.

The question is, should the commentators be held at least a bit more accountable? I'm not even expecting complete un bias, but this is ridiculous. It's not the Olympics when Australia is competing, where 99% is viewing from a green and gold lens. Last night the majority of non Pies fans were either neutral or going for the Crows. But I'm not just saying it cos I was too, I wouldn't want a totally biased Crows call either. I had no issues with the play by play calls in general, but Lyon makes games unmatchable. King also showed some bias but wasnt nearly as bad in comparison. Maybe the issue is largely him as well.

I always just assume the team they cheerlead is the team they have a big bet on to win. It was embarrassing listening to the commentary last night though. Dunstall was terrible as well.

 

[darcytiger]

Watching the game last night, I don't recall a commentator show as much blatant bias towards a side as Garry Lyon did towards Collingwood and against Adelaide. At one point he even yelled 'yes' when a Pies player marked it. It was ALWAYS from a Collingwood point of view, what they needed to do etc, and of course he was all over the Crows when they got the rub, ignoring when the Pies got the rub early on. Granted some where there, but there was no consistency. I thought he was a Melbourne man? Or is it a directive to just boost the Vic side?

I swear Eddie Maguire actually seemed pretty impartial as a commentator in comparison, at least from what I remember. Even when he got excited when Tarrant or Cloke marked the ball lol. Pavlich is another serial offender when the Eagles are playing. His anti Eagles bias also seems a lot clearer than his pro Dockers for some reason.

The question is, should the commentators be held at least a bit more accountable? I'm not even expecting complete un bias, but this is ridiculous. It's not the Olympics when Australia is competing, where 99% is viewing from a green and gold lens. Last night the majority of non Pies fans were either neutral or going for the Crows. But I'm not just saying it cos I was too, I wouldn't want a totally biased Crows call either. I had no issues with the play by play calls in general, but Lyon makes games unmatchable. King also showed some bias but wasnt nearly as bad in comparison. Maybe the issue is largely him as well.

What was the score at the time? They cheer for whoever is behind as they want a tight game.

 

[Stan_Darsh72]

Montagna does play by play and I would argue he is one of the better ones.

Joey worked as a an opposition analyst for freo so he had probaby the best build for being a commentator.

He never seems biased and knows his stuff.

 

[PerthBoy86]

What was the score at the time? They cheer for whoever is behind as they want a tight game.

During the first quarter it was mostly praise for Collingwood. After that it was tight all game but Lyon was all Collingwood.

 

[Dan26]

Yeah only really noticed it when I moved here, though I didn't consume much general AFL media before that.

I guess many have a vested interest in Vic clubs doing well. Eddie said the game is better when Essendon and Carlton are doing well. If it's truly a national comp it shouldn't matter.

Eddie also said on his podcast with Jimmy Bartel that we need to get West Coast up and going again because they are a very VERY important (he emphasised "very") club to the competition.

All you do is hear things that confirm your own bias and ignore anything that goes against your bias.

 

[SSSSSS]

I pretty much have resigned to muting the commentary whenever Dunstall is commentating a Hawthorn game.

In an effort to hide any notion of bias he goes the complete opposite and is constantly negative about anything Hawthorn throughout the broadcast.

I don't mind commentators getting behind a young team/underdog especially in a game that's a bit of a blowout.

 

[Dirty Bird]

I'd rather commentators be banned from discussing umpiring

The commentators seem to live by the archaic rules of the 80s/90s and sprout their shit confusing the average viewer when they're being told something's a free when the modern rule is being called perfectly by the umpires.

 

[Stan_Darsh72]

I pretty much have resigned to muting the commentary whenever Dunstall is commentating a Hawthorn game.

In an effort to hide any notion of bias he goes the complete opposite and is constantly negative about anything Hawthorn throughout the broadcast.

I don't mind commentators getting behind a young team/underdog especially in a game that's a bit of a blowout.

I always felt this about Dunstall during Hawks games as well.

In an effort to be unbiased he has gone the other way too much.

 

[PrancingPony]

Pavlich definitely sounds negative when calling West Coast games but he definitely isn't positive about Fremantle, he doesn't have a lot of nice things to say about us, he tries to appear unbiased but ends up lambasting us instead.

 

[Runnin Blue]

Agree OP. Lyon and Dunstall were having conniptions at the end of the game. Sooking about missed free kicks for Collingwood.

Never mind that they stayed silent as monks for the entire game whenever the Crows missed out on blatant frees. Not a single word about that.

I enjoyed their tears. Immensely.

 

[Humblebob]

Poster with his OWN bias against said team complaining about perceived bias going the other way.

What a laugh, the lack of self awareness of some people in here is embarrassing

 

[SSSSSS]

Pavlich definitely sounds negative when calling West Coast games but he definitely isn't positive about Fremantle, he doesn't have a lot of nice things to say about us, he tries to appear unbiased but ends up lambasting us instead.

I feel like Schofield hates you guys when he does any Freo games.

 

[PrancingPony]

I feel like Schofield hates you guys when he does any Freo games.

Which is ironic considering he pumps us up on his podcast and he played for Peel Thunder in 2022-2023 from memory.

I think he likes us more than West Coast by this stage.

 

[Toffee Lion]

I pretty much have resigned to muting the commentary whenever Dunstall is commentating a Hawthorn game.

In an effort to hide any notion of bias he goes the complete opposite and is constantly negative about anything Hawthorn throughout the broadcast.

I don't mind commentators getting behind a young team/underdog especially in a game that's a bit of a blowout.

The Alastair Lynch special for us. Boggles my mind when I hear people say he biased towards the Lions. Always finds a way to try and seem "unbiased" by giving us more schtick.

At least Browny is just honest and knows he's a Lions man.

 

[PenfoldsFan]

Ladhams mark and goal, commentry goes silent, Derwayne "what do you reckon?",
Johnno waffles on about the technical aspects of the play.
Replay shows clear hold, 'nothing there, they say.
Derwayne"'his reaching arm is clearly held".
Yeah, mummble, mummble.

No bias.

 

[SSSSSS]

The Alastair Lynch special for us. Boggles my mind when I hear people say he biased towards the Lions. Always finds a way to try and seem "unbiased" by giving us more schtick.

At least Browny is just honest and knows he's a Lions man.

Browny wouldn't even know what bias means.

He's a few crayons short and that was before all the concussions.

I like him though.

 

[1990crow]

Lyon has been anti Adelaide for all his calls this year. He's a Kent.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Anthony Hudson (when Nick Davis put the Swans in front in the 2005 semi-final versus Geelong.

"I SEE IT BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!!!!"

Sickeningly biased towards the Swans. Could he be more excited for a goal to the Swans? That commentator obviously wants their AFL love child to win. It's so obvious.*

*Huddo barracks for Geelong.

If you look for bias anywhere you can convince yourself of any untruth.

Huddo also had to call the Miracle on Grass too. Captured the moment brilliantly despite probably wanting to vomit blood.

 

[SSSSSS]

Lyon has been anti Adelaide for all his calls this year. He's a Kent.

Has a soft spot for the Hawks which I can hear in the commentary. Grew up supporting them (courtesy of his old man) and I think he's still a bit of a supporter at heart.

 

[1990crow]

Has a soft spot for the Hawks which I can hear in the commentary. Grew up supporting them (courtesy of his old man) and I think he's still a bit of a supporter at heart.

I'm sure that plays a part, but you have to be professional. It's something I admire in Eddie.

 

[SSSSSS]

Healey hates the Hawks. I also feel he sucks off the Swans at every opportunity.

He also did call the Gold Coast campaigners but I thought that was great.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Howie struggles to keep a lid on it when the Hawks are playing. Every moderately impressive mark or goal immediately becomes mark/goal of the week/year.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Some of the problem is commentators are allowed to bet on football. Sometimes it is patently obvious which team the caller hopes will win. I tackled Robert Walls on this several years ago, and he agreed with me.