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Quality or lack of in AFL Commentary

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Icanwalk

Icanwalk

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May 31, 2010
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In light of the recent Bigfooty and the media - why the hate thread, I though I could be a bit more specific and target what is easily the worst aspect of the whole footy media, the so called professional commentators.

Surely the AFL boasts the worst commentators of any professional sport code in the world. It seems that big headed oafs are intentionally employed, the likes of Dwane Russell, Matt Campbell, Brian Taylor, etc would never get a gig calling the EPL, CL, NBA or any other self respecting code.

Watching say the Champions League, the commentators actually do what they're paid for, calling the damn game. Not jerkin off the talent on display, not resorting to cringeworthy cliches to fill the gaps, just unobtrusivly and professionally calling the play as it happens. They are civlized folk who put the game before themselves as they should.

And although I shouldn't target the people themselves, it just seems that AFL commentators are the loud mouth, drunken 2am wallowing in their own shit type that should be far far away from the commentary box. It's a joke that I'd rather turn off the footy or mute it than listen to Dwayne 'YOU BETCHA' Russell.

So a few questions to my fellow haters. Why has the quality of AFL commentary plummeted so quickly, why are AFL fans continually served up this shit year in year out. And since seven are sure to produce more of the same, is there anything we as footy fans can do about it other than complain on Bigfooty?
 
Given the three commentators you listed are all former players, I think that says a lot.

Russell who worked at the ABC for a number of years calling other sports has gone backwards in my opinion.
 
The problem with AFL Commentators, especially on TV, is that they think they need to call every single moment of play.

We don't need to hear every handpass, and for commentators to come up with dozens of ways to say "Swan kicks it".

Conversely, there's too many times where the commentators and the special comments guys get caught up talking mindless dribble and they miss great play: a perfect example is the WCE v Bulldogs game at Subi earlier this year when Dwayne Russell decided to rib Brad Johnson for saying "we" when referring to the Bulldogs and they pretty much missed the goal of the day.

Basically, the commentators need to have a much better feel for the game. Most of the callers have nothing approaching a good feel for the play.
 
I just think the standards are low and sports journalism in Australia is behind the times.

And I disagree with you on BT. I find him very entertaining. I like that he is at 100% energy level the whole game and as an ex-footballer, he does provide little snippets of info on forward play. Compare him with Quartermaine who loses his energy level as soon the game is prematurely over (if he's bored by the game, why am I watching?).
 

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September_Glory said:
I just think the standards are low and sports journalism in Australia is behind the times.

And I disagree with you on BT. I find him very entertaining. I like that he is at 100% energy level the whole game and as an ex-footballer, he does provide little snippets of info on forward play. Compare him with Quartermaine who loses his energy level as soon the game is prematurely over (if he's bored by the game, why am I watching?).
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BT's a goose of the highest order.

Spends far too much time trying to be witty or pseudo-intellectual than he does actually remembering the names of the players.

The amount of mistakes he makes is unforgivable. Shit like that gets hidden on radio when you can't see what's happening, but gets found out big time in the broadcast.
 
Icanwalk said:
In light of the recent Bigfooty and the media - why the hate thread, I though I could be a bit more specific and target what is easily the worst aspect of the whole footy media, the so called professional commentators.

Surely the AFL boasts the worst commentators of any professional sport code in the world. It seems that big headed oafs are intentionally employed, the likes of Dwane Russell, Matt Campbell, Brian Taylor, etc would never get a gig calling the EPL, CL, NBA or any other self respecting code.

Watching say the Champions League, the commentators actually do what they're paid for, calling the damn game. Not jerkin off the talent on display, not resorting to cringeworthy cliches to fill the gaps, just unobtrusivly and professionally calling the play as it happens. They are civlized folk who put the game before themselves as they should.

And although I shouldn't target the people themselves, it just seems that AFL commentators are the loud mouth, drunken 2am wallowing in their own shit type that should be far far away from the commentary box. It's a joke that I'd rather turn off the footy or mute it than listen to Dwayne 'YOU BETCHA' Russell.

So a few questions to my fellow haters. Why has the quality of AFL commentary plummeted so quickly, why are AFL fans continually served up this shit year in year out. And since seven are sure to produce more of the same, is there anything we as footy fans can do about it other than complain on Bigfooty?
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Great post.

The reason is most journos are wannabe footballers. So they are in awe of players and ex-players. Typified by say McAveney who will constantly suck up to Matthews in the commentary box instead of actually calling the game. You could easily call the football media the Mutual Fellatio Society, because that's all it is. A disgraceful boys' club. Devoid of integrity, competence, impartiality and any quality whatsoever. Because of the blokey nature of it, no one will ever challenge or question it. Certainly no one will demand higher standards, which the public deserves.

The comparison with other codes is quite accurate. Watch 10 minutes of any EPL match and the difference is enormous. You have professional callers, no internal biases, no prejudices, they simply accurately relay the information immediately and efficiently. They get excited when necessary but never try to be the stars of the show. Poles apart from the shit we have to put up with.

Strange thing is, the AFL (and some of the fans) are obsessed about comparing Australian Rules to other codes on everything, but are oddly silent about the way the game is called. They're obviously as starstruck as the media.
 
September_Glory said:
I just think the standards are low and sports journalism in Australia is behind the times.

And I disagree with you on BT. I find him very entertaining. I like that he is at 100% energy level the whole game and as an ex-footballer, he does provide little snippets of info on forward play. Compare him with Quartermaine who loses his energy level as soon the game is prematurely over (if he's bored by the game, why am I watching?).
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Over 20 years ago he was... Forward play is poles apart to the forward play of "Wowee's" time. Now his over-the-top calling is nothing short of a self-indulgent attempt to get on highlight packages and cover for his inexcusable inability to accurately call the play.

If emotions were taken out of the discussion, I think you'd be hard pressed to name an ex-player in the top echelon of 'pure callers'. And it is precisely why commentary is below par in the AFL - ex players do not get the gig based on merit, rather the freindships and networks they were wise enough to nurture during their playing days.
 
Partridge said:
Great post.

The reason is most journos are wannabe footballers. So they are in awe of players and ex-players. Typified by say McAveney who will constantly suck up to Matthews in the commentary box instead of actually calling the game. You could easily call the football media the Mutual Fellatio Society, because that's all it is. A disgraceful boys' club. Devoid of integrity, competence, impartiality and any quality whatsoever. Because of the blokey nature of it, no one will ever challenge or question it. Certainly no one will demand higher standards, which the public deserves.

The comparison with other codes is quite accurate. Watch 10 minutes of any EPL match and the difference is enormous. You have professional callers, no internal biases, no prejudices, they simply accurately relay the information immediately and efficiently. They get excited when necessary but never try to be the stars of the show. Poles apart from the shit we have to put up with.

Strange thing is, the AFL (and some of the fans) are obsessed about comparing Australian Rules to other codes on everything, but are oddly silent about the way the game is called. They're obviously as starstruck as the media.
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Haha elegantly put.

Completely agree with your post and glad that this feeling of contempt towards the standard of commentary is shared.

Although not sure bout the wannabe footballers idea. Many commentators these days are indeed footballers, albeit not particularly good ones. This could explain why they continually feel compelled to suck up to the greats of the game.

Still find it strange that in such a professionally run and successful organization, the broadcasting/commentary, such an integral part of any league lag so desperately far behind :confused:
 
It's interesting listening to the different calls of the Grand Final.

MMM is horrible for it's self important, indulgent back-slapping in-joke atmosphere. Brayshaw actually misses alot of what happens and he leaves large swathes of 1-2 second dead air. Like when he/they completely missed the significance of the Scarlo toepoke in 09, including after the goal. l'm hardly a Rex Hunt fan but you can hear his basic schooling in describing the events of the game. (Lyon is actually very good with his predictive analysis, which l admit begrudgingly as l don't especially like him).

BT is ok but seems to be going downhill a bit and resorting to silly cliches and catchphrases? Lost some of his discipline as a caller as his profile has gone up or as he does more tv? Whateley is a stand out. Morphett is busy fulfilling ABC morgue stereotypes. Haven't listened to SEN yet :)
 
Australian sport has some of the best commentators in the world. Our footy commentators are good but people just seem to love to criticise. If you want to hear bad commentating tune into any American sporting or racing event...simply horrible.
 
If you think NFL commentators like Ron Jaworski, John Gruden, Al Michaels and Chris Collingsworth aren't as good as Dwayne Russell, Brian Taylor etc. then you're sadly deluded.
 

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I begrudge 90% of the AFL's commentators, for reasons listed above, particularly trying to make the broadcast about their personalities rather than the football. Unfortunately the very basics of the game calling get lost.

My personal vendetta is definitely Bruce McAveney, his knowledge of the game is limited to sweeping generalisations. This is coupled with his use of blatantly obvious 'big calls' that everybody else realised 3 minutes ago. An example from this years finals series - one of the teams opened up a 3 goal lead mid-way through the fourth, to which Bruce boldly declared "they need virtually 3 goals here". Well no Bruce, they don't virtually need 3 goals, they actually need 3 goals.
 
Not sure I get what you're talking about - those guys are MILES in front of Russell and Taylor.
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Was in reply to
The Doctor Australian sport has some of the best commentators in the world. Our footy commentators are good but people just seem to love to criticise. If you want to hear bad commentating tune into any American sporting or racing event...simply horrible.
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who obviously has never watched an NFL broadcast.
 
TCP99 said:
Was in reply to who obviously has never watched an NFL broadcast.
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Sorry, got confused by your original post.

TCP99 said:
If you think NFL commentators like Ron Jaworski, John Gruden, Al Michaels and Chris Collingsworth aren't as good as Dwayne Russell, Brian Taylor etc. then you're sadly deluded.
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The way you worded it made it seem as though you think BT and Der-Wayne are the equal of the Yanks you mentioned.

Couldn't believe my eyes when I read that!!
 
UpForGrabs said:
Sorry, got confused by your original post.

The way you worded it made it seem as though you think BT and Der-Wayne are the equal of the Yanks you mentioned.

Couldn't believe my eyes when I read that!!
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I was rewatching the Geelong v Melbourne massacre from a few months ago the other day. Halfway through the last quarter, Jack Watts takes a mark and kicks a perfectly regulation goal from about 30 metres out. Dwayne Russell meanwhile is gushing that it's a "work of art." The margin was around 150 points by then. Absolute fecking idiot.

I thought he was bad as a player, but little did I know how appalling he could be with a microphone in his hands.
 

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TCP99 said:
Was in reply to who obviously has never watched an NFL broadcast.
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Yes i watch it every week and they are very amateur compared to our callers. Im watching it now actually and you can Give me Bruce and Dennis any day of the week over these guys.
 
The_Doctor said:
Yes i watch it every week and they are very amateur compared to our callers. Im watching it now actually and you can Give me Bruce and Dennis any day of the week over these guys.
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Hell, if you don't consider the pairing of Al Michaels and Chris Collinsworth about 100 times better than ANY AFL commentating team, then I don't know what's going on.
 
The state of AFL commentary is very poor at the moment. Too many cliches, too much hyperbole, too many in-jokes, too matey, too much of trying to trying to make a play/match sound more important than it actually is.

The networks need to get more people with actual broadcasting skills and not just ex-players who can barely string two sentences together and are unable to effectively communicate their thoughts in a way the audience can comprehend.
 
pickman said:
The state of AFL commentary is very poor at the moment. Too many cliches, too much hyperbole, too many in-jokes, too matey, too much of trying to trying to make a play/match sound more important than it actually is.

The networks need to get more people with actual broadcasting skills and not just ex-players who can barely string two sentences together and are unable to effectively communicate their thoughts in a way the audience can comprehend.
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Amen to that.

I'm starting to find myself becoming enraged at times just listening to some of the commentary efforts the last few years. For the reasons you outlined, I think you've pretty well summarised my feelings on them.

I'll use James Brayshaw as an example, I actually find him to be a likeable character, although I find him tiresome as a commentator. He gives off the impression that he's just trying too hard to be funny. I was listening to the AFL commentary of the grand final and him calling Tom Hawkins 'T-Bone' at every opportunity was somewhat cringeworthy.

I find the NRL broadcasting to be superior to the AFL.
 
Blackout said:
I was listening to the AFL commentary of the grand final and him calling Tom Hawkins 'T-Bone' at every opportunity was somewhat cringeworthy.

I find the NRL broadcasting to be superior to the AFL.
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Oh, forgot to add too many nicknames.

Don't watch of the rugby codes but yes they do a better job then their AFL counterparts. Why, because they focus on calling the game and making the game the star*





* - except when they are not spruiking the anti-pokies "tax" - which actually isn't a tax at all
 

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Quality or lack of in AFL Commentary

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