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

[Farang83150]

Lyon absolutely despises Collingwood, and is on the record for doing so.

Where?

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

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.

Still dreaming of the merger?

 

[Farang83150]

Okay maybe not him, but another WA based commentator.

Pav not Pap

 

[Farang83150]

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.

"What you say is crap"... Great bit of debating there.

 

[PerthBoy86]

Pav not Pap

Him obviously but there was/is another who does play by play.

 

[Delisted]

It's the those bloody gambling companies fault.

 

[smasha]

Commentators bay for Richmond blood even in home games.
Interstate when I am home,I know the oppo have scored a goal when the TV rocks from it's mounts.

 

[SuperSub17]

Where?

He’s frequently rejoiced in Collingwood’s misfortune over the years.

This is the first one that springs to mind:

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/words-come-back-to-haunt-the-saviour/news-story/e49fecb376232ddc3ecc07262a5acef5

EXACTLY three years ago, at Melbourne's "150 Foundation Heroes" dinner, Garry Lyon crowed about the Demons' re-birth while taking a swipe at Collingwood over the impact of the Heath Shaw-Alan Didak drink-driving affair.
"The symbolism of today shouldn't be lost on anyone. I think you will enjoy the fact that while tonight is the rebirth of this great footy club, our greatest rival is in disarray," Lyon said.

"The Collingwood footy club is going down the plughole as the Melbourne footy club re-establishes itself as a power."

 

[Partridge]

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 don't know if it's bias by Lyon per se - I'm not completely disagreeing - but, where I completely agree, is that there is way too much, far, FAR too much, cheerleading going on. Absolutely incessant. What used to be occasional is now a pandemic. Generated mostly (but not only) towards star players, but high profile teams as well. You will hear a near endless amount of:

• Positive attributes about a player even when they clearly stuff up (Nick Blakey does this all the time - and did again today, he's an overrated hack).
• Absolutely ignoring obvious mistakes by the commentators favourites (Pendlebury this year the worst). In one game Hudson actually openly admitted it and said "because it's Pendlebury, we'll say he meant it". You unprofessional fawning arseh*le.
• ONLY calling players by nicknames, or far worse, first names.
• Constantly going over the same positive stats. Again. And again. And again (Russell was at it again today the feckwit)
• A new trait that's crept in - constantly giggling and laughing at their own "jokes" or something they though was hilarious. If I'm watching the game and my team is either losing or getting belted, what's funny about it? Why would a commentator think it was funny unless he was barracking for one team? Brad Johnson is catching Brereton in terms of giggling incompetence.

The standard truly could not be any worse.

 

[MauroFogheri]

'held accountable' ??? Inquisition

 

[windyhill]

When that campaigner mcguire commentated Ess and Carl games he was the epitome of disingenuity. Overboard with praise, finding positives left right and centre. He clearly hated/hates both clubs. Admitted on numerous occasions.The fake ness shone through. Absolute fraud that prick.