Leaping Larry does a pretty fair assessment of AFL commentators in today's Age.
From the cheap seats of AFL commentary
Another season in the books. Time to take a look at the year's efforts in the noble field of footy commentary.
All opinions are solely the province of your humble columnist, and as likely as not, represent those of nobody else whatsoever.
This time, match announcers, next week the special comments guys.
BRUCE McAVANEY – There's an old expression, "The less said the better", and there's nothing in that aphorism that couldn't improve The Bruce's match calls. Not every idea that pops into anyone's head is gold. You all saw Donald Trump in the first Presidential Debate. And maybe just ease back the throttle on those player nicknames around 300 per cent. Somewhere under all the gusherama lies the ghost of a perfectly capable football commentator.
DWAYNE RUSSELL – If Alfred Hitchcock had made a movie about Dwayne, it might have been entitled The Man Who Talked Too Much. Also, regarding the endless leather-lunged shilling for the AFL, the game in question, the attendance and everything else short of the quality of the hot dogs on sale, (a) nobody needs it and (b) that's Sandy Roberts' gig.
BRIAN TAYLOR – The overwhelming impression I get from this caller is that the game gets in the way of putting over himself and his buddies in the booth. It seems barely possible that these priorities are not shared by those subjected to the entertainment stylings of the Brian Taylor Saturday Night Zoo Crew while trying to negotiate a football telecast.
ANTHONY HUDSON – Calls a good, straight footy match. Has the voice for it. Handy at jockeying his calling team. The odd wry humorous touch sneaks in around the edges. A pro.
HAMISH McLACHLAN – When "Hammer" heads off into his all-but-inevitable golf and tennis metaphors during match calls, I'm right with him. I wish he was calling those sports instead too.
ADAM PAPALIA – Guy you maybe didn't recognise who picked up some calling on Fox Footy this year. Clean-voiced, no guff, straight match caller with an obvious knack for it. Sort of Anthony Hudson II – The Adventure Continues.
BASIL ZEMPILAS – This may be bucking the general trend on Big Baz, but the patently unfeigned enthusiasm counts for something, and despite the fashion, he never puts himself over the game. Surgical analysis, well, probably not.
LUKE DARCY – If Stifler hadn't been shifted to co-calling with BT, that would have left him free for even more self-promoting leaden banter sapping the will to live on Saturday nights. Also, purely as a caller, there are worse.
EDDIE McGUIRE – A bit "Hits of the 90s" but still capable anchoring a crew, as long as he and Dermott don't disappear up the alley of "Vintage nightclub battles won and lost".
SANDY ROBERTS – Kind of Basil Zempilas plus about 80 years. Tireless efforts to incorporate the cutting edge footy science jargon of the day deserve comedy category consideration at the Logies.
DENNIS COMETTI – Nobody should constrict their oxygen intake waiting for another one of these to come around.
McAvaney is the worst. By far.
Huddo and DC, the rest? Dig a big hole, push em in and back fill fast.
BT is about as funny as anthrax. Basically doing a really sjiithouse impersonation of Rex Hunt.
I think Jason Bennett who does the VFL and also did a bit while the Olympics was on is a Good commentator..articulate and concise..does his homework.
Can't stand Darcy.
Darcy, BT and Bruce. Then daylight. Utter disgrace.
I haven't listened to the mid life crisis men's support group - aka Triple M footy show on 105.1 radio for years. Bunch of utter halfwits. Especially Garry Lyon. Appreciate he is going through some very significant issues, but nonetheless for years his character left a lot to be desired. Certainly doesn't hold back when dishing it out and pumping up his ego. Let's hope he has gotten the help he needs and started a new chapter in his life, is more modest and measured and focuses on commenting. When he just talks football he is actually very insightful and enjoyable to listen to.
Rohan Connolly and Mark Robinson as well are in the "special" category...they stamped their papers during the Bombers fiasco. Impartial reporting my arse. Pathetic.
On the other hand, Nick Riewoldt and Maxi, as well as Juddy are actually quite insightful. I like to hear about the tactics and game play itself....if I want third grade comedy I can find another channel.
Some new talent is long overdue.
Why don't these guy watch some EPL or old ABC footage (The Winners) and understand that television doesn't need a radio call.....WE HAVE PICTURES!!
The game are over called!!!
McAvaney. Sickening contrived emotion. And listen to him continually asking his co-commentators to agree with him. Bloody irritating. Usually goes something like this ....<insert name> has really stepped up today hasn't he? And then poor well-credentialed colleague usually tries to ignore him.
He is unbearable.
McAvaney. Sickening contrived emotion. And listen to him continually asking his co-commentators to agree with him. Bloody irritating. Usually goes something like this ....<insert name> has really stepped up today hasn't he? And then poor well-credentialed colleague usually tries to ignore him.
He is unbearable.
Agree, just cannot stand him either!
BT is about as funny as anthrax. Basically doing a really sjiithouse impersonation of Rex Hunt.
Wow wee....... NAILED IT
McAvaney. Sickening contrived emotion. And listen to him continually asking his co-commentators to agree with him. Bloody irritating. Usually goes something like this ....<insert name> has really stepped up today hasn't he? And then poor well-credentialed colleague usually tries to ignore him.
He is unbearable.
Agree, just cannot stand him either!
Why don't these guy watch some EPL or old ABC footage (The Winners) and understand that television doesn't need a radio call.....WE HAVE PICTURES!!
The game are over called!!!
Amen to that! Can you believe that people called Channel 7 complaining that the crowd noise was too high and you could hardly hear the commentary? I actually appreciated the crowd noise.
I generally don't rate them. Tough job and impossible to please all the people listening.
Leaping Larry rates the providers of "expert" comments this week. Apart from his turn of phrase, I could have written this myself :)
Concluding our review of the 2016 AFL TV commentators, we take a butcher's at the ex-players who fulfil the role of providing "expert" or "special" comments during live match telecasts.
Once again, all the opinions presented are exclusively those of your humble columnist.
TIM WATSON – Had a solid run with VFL caller Jason Bennett when a lot of the regular crew were away in Olympics-Ville. Beyond that, he can seem a little like many workplace meetings – stuffy and dull.
MATTHEW RICHARDSON – A reliable blend of footy horse sense and pleasingly colloquial jolts of sharp-ish humour, inexplicably wasted for extended stretches of 2016 in a boundary reporter role, or on the will-to-live draining Brian Taylor Saturday Night Zoo Crew.
MARK RICCIUTO – Despite a voice which suggests he was grabbing forty winks immediately prior to being shaken awake to provide comment, routinely offers particularly acute judgment on teams, play and players. Downside – can be brutal, and may burble.
WAYNE CAREY – Years ago, on Fox Footy, Wayne Carey was as clinically precise a match analyst as we've experienced on AFL TV coverage here. Many years and colourful life experiences later, The Wayner provides that about 15 per cent of the time, plus packing material.
ALISTAIR LYNCH – Remains one of the more insightful and user-friendly match analysts around, when Fox Footy occasionally remembers to use him.
JONATHAN BROWN – Overcame a voice which sounds like a bullfrog swallowing a tree to consistently impress, particularly with his knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of individual players.
CAMERON LING – Much as with many silent movie stars, it could be argued that Cam Ling's career was ruined by the coming of sound.
LEIGH MATTHEWS – It did seem that if Seven sidelined him any further, he'd be getting the coffees. Still has football smarts to spare, which he mostly dispenses straight as a die, and blessedly, with virtually no fashionable footy science jargon.
DANNY FRAWLEY – On Get Smart, following some bizarre, convoluted ploy, Agent 86 would smugly conclude, while fooling nobody: "Ah, the old 'Gun in the ashtray, triggered by turning the lamp off' trick". Danny Frawley's analysis during matches is sometimes like that. He also says, "Triffic mark," (or kick) when it's a triffic mark (or kick). That's about it.
JASON DUNSTALL – When he's on his mettle, still pretty handy. When his colleagues head to blather-land, he may produce balloon-filler material.
BRAD JOHNSON – But what a lovely guy.
DAVID KING – Only manufacturers producing raffle tickets and bingo cards offer a more consistently reliable source of numerical confetti.
GERARD HEALY/TONY SHAW – Ideally, apart from exceptionally astute aging analysts, this may be more a recent ex-players' role. Plenty of studio gigs going in the Fox Footy "Dad's Army" universe.
DERMOTT BRERETON – The great polariser offers a heady blend of shockingly astute observation and great reams of seemingly random blather that is so off with the pixies that you're half-expecting Peter Jackson to blow in and make one of his famous 13-hour Tolkien movies out of it.
Leaping Larry rates the providers of "expert" comments this week. Apart from his turn of phrase, I could have written this myself :)
:)
Just watched a little of the basketball this afternoon. Huddo called it like you would on radio. Too much talking...again from Huddo. I wish these commentators would let the pictures speak! I enjoy the NFL broadcasters who just give the information that the viewer might need to make sense of what they're watching.
Just watched a little of the basketball this afternoon. Huddo called it like you would on radio. Too much talking...again from Huddo. I wish these commentators would let the pictures speak! I enjoy the NFL broadcasters who just give the information that the viewer might need to make sense of what they're watching.
One of the best commentators ever was Richie Benaud.
He used to live by the mantra, only say something that adds to the pictures you are seeing.
Which is basically what you are saying. Don't try and copy the pictures with words as you will never tell the whole story. Add to the story that you can already see.
Two sports I know many on here don't like are cycling and V8 Supercars. However, IMO, they contain two of the best sports commentators in the business, one a caller and one special comments. They are Phil Liggett and Mark Larkham.
Liggett could call any sport I reckon, keeps it simple but is very knowledgable and fun to listen to. Uses the right amount of enthusiasm to keep you interested, nothing over the top.
Larkham does special comments on the V8 Supercar telecasts like no other, no BS, just explains the intricacies of the sport in layman's terms brilliantly.
For me, both these guys convey the information in a no BS manner and make it all about their sport rather than them. No egos or pissing contents. Thats what I like.
Two sports I know many on here don't like are cycling and V8 Supercars. However, IMO, they contain two of the best sports commentators in the business, one a caller and one special comments. They are Phil Liggett and Mark Larkham.
Liggett could call any sport I reckon, keeps it simple but is very knowledgable and fun to listen to. Uses the right amount of enthusiasm to keep you interested, nothing over the top.
Larkham does special comments on the V8 Supercar telecasts like no other, no BS, just explains the intricacies of the sport in layman's terms brilliantly.
For me, both these guys convey the information in a no BS manner and make it all about their sport rather than them. No egos or pissing contents. Thats what I like.
I'm not familiar with Mark Larkham but Phil Liggett would have to be one of the best sports commentators going around; knowledgeable, says just enough, understands the difference between television and the wireless, isn't afraid to express an opinion, and has a voice that's easy to listen to.
I'm not familiar with Mark Larkham but Phil Liggett would have to be one of the best sports commentators going around; knowledgeable, says just enough, understands the difference between television and the wireless, isn't afraid to express an opinion, and has a voice that's easy to listen to.
Liggett is a ripper indeed. With Larkham, he is an ex race car driver and team owner. He just dumbs all the technical stuff down so anybody watching can understand, especially during the enduro races.
Darcy getting off lightly.
Darcy getting off lightly.
This thread is about commentator ratings, nobody rates him! ;)
One of the best commentators ever was Richie Benaud.
He used to live by the mantra, only say something that adds to the pictures you are seeing.
Every time Bruce gets a Carlton game I can't help wishing that someone would tape his mouth over with Richie's mantra.
He never used to be as annoying as he has become but I heard someone describe him as having developed into an over-the-top caricature of of his worst traits - sums it up quite well, I thought.
Darcy getting off lightly.
Agree. TTD is on great terms with himself.
Prime flog
Any updates on the poorly state of AFL commentary, or are BT and Darcy still a mile in front of the next worst in the competition?
Leaping Larry nearly got it 100% correct with this assessment, just one change needed as highlighted and the quote is perfect;
BRIAN TAYLOR – The overwhelming impression I get from this caller is that the game gets in the way of putting over himself and his buddies in the booth. It seems barely possible that these priorities are not shared by those subjected to the entertainment stylings of the Brian Taylor Saturday Night Zoo Crew while trying to negotiate negate a football telecast.
Any updates on the poorly state of AFL commentary, or are BT and Darcy still a mile in front of the next worst in the competition?
Leaping Larry nearly got it 100% correct with this assessment, just one change needed as highlighted and the quote is perfect;
BT and the clueless Darcy have increased their lead.....
I like Dunstall. Not perfect but leaves the blather for the bounce.
Lethal is my favourite commentator.
Bruce used to drive me nuts when he was with Dennis but now he's with BT and seems far less offensive.
BT is just crap.
McAvaney. Sickening contrived emotion. And listen to him continually asking his co-commentators to agree with him. Bloody irritating. Usually goes something like this ....<insert name> has really stepped up today hasn't he? And then poor well-credentialed colleague usually tries to ignore him.
He is unbearable.
Spot on - I was hoping that a change of partner might help and that BT might leave fewer openings for Bruce to get a word in. Maybe it was wishful thinking but he seemed to have backed off a bit during the first two rounds. Unfortunately, BT is almost as annoying and Bruce seems to be overcoming the unfamiliarity of his new partner.
I agree that Anthony Hudson is one of the less annoying, better describer's of the action - although he can be prone to too much gushing on occasions.
There's plenty of good ones Adam Papalia and the ones that did the AFLW .
Not Kelli Underwood though.
Not Kelli Underwood though.
Agreed with bells on - she was painful in the AFL-W
Lethal is my favourite commentator.
He is mine now. Bwecie just drives me nuts!
I'd rather listen to Australian hip-hop than BT.
That's like choosing between cholera and typhus.
BT is terrible - he shows incredible bias and doesn't even bother to commentate the game properly - he likes the sound of his own voice
I like Leigh and Bruce
There's plenty of good ones Adam Papalia and the ones that did the AFLW .
Not Kelli Underwood though.
I think Kelli's problem is that she is trying too hard to sound like the blokes. It comes out as a parody of a combination of several commentators.
She needs to work with and base her style on one of the better commentators; Tim Lane for example.
Brian Lake is straight out embarrassing .
BT is terrible - he shows incredible bias and doesn't even bother to commentate the game properly - he likes the sound of his own voice
I like Leigh and Bruce
Totally agree. BT talks more about someone's hairstyle or size of their shorts. Utter garbage flows out constantly. To make bad worse, he tries to ramp up with the most annoying scratchy voice. BT and Richo last year sounded like they were eyeing off the candy... I turn the volume off when BT commentates these days.
I like what Jonathan Brown has to say, but his voice is simply not for public airing.
Totally agree. BT talks more about someone's hairstyle or size of their shorts. Utter garbage flows out constantly. To make bad worse, he tries to ramp up with the most annoying scratchy voice. BT and Richo last year sounded like they were eyeing off the candy... I turn the volume off when BT commentates these days.
I like what Jonathan Brown has to say, but his voice is simply not for public airing.
Agree - a voice suitable for a country town radio station - with a population of 3.
Agree - a voice suitable for a country town radio station - with a population of 3.
That's funny Paul.
Maybe they can do some form of autotune....
Totally agree. BT talks more about someone's hairstyle or size of their shorts. Utter garbage flows out constantly. To make bad worse, he tries to ramp up with the most annoying scratchy voice. BT and Richo last year sounded like they were eyeing off the candy... I turn the volume off when BT commentates these days.
I like what Jonathan Brown has to say, but his voice is simply not for public airing.
I quite like Brown's "dulcet tones".
Some folk may remember Gary Dempsey's brief stint as a commentator; he was given the flick after a couple of weeks because his damaged vocal cords made his voice too raspy.
I'd rather put up with Brown's voice than the drivel dished up by far too many commentators.
And Lingy.... Tommy might lead the cats to a flag..... Please
Not sure if mentioned yet but I like Dal santo on SEN.
Calls it as it is and seems to not have a bias.
I quite like Brown's "dulcet tones".
Some folk may remember Gary Dempsey's brief stint as a commentator; he was given the flick after a couple of weeks because his damaged vocal cords made his voice too raspy.
I'd rather put up with Brown's voice than the drivel dished up by far too many commentators.
x2
Not sure if mentioned yet but I like Dal santo on SEN.
Calls it as it is and seems to not have a bias.
Am liking Dal on radio also and am also liking Spud Frawley on SEN.
As for the CH7 seven commentators, I would dig a big hole, chuck em all in it and back fill it...fast.
Not sure if mentioned yet but I like Dal santo on SEN.
Calls it as it is and seems to not have a bias.
Lingy and Gerard Weagles are the most painfully biased commentators. If they could they'd just rave non stop about their own. Boring. Don't mind lingy calling noncats games though.
Lingy and Gerard Weagles are the most painfully biased commentators. If they could they'd just rave non stop about their own. Boring. Don't mind lingy calling noncats games though.
Gotta say, I really find "Lingy" irrelevant as far as his commentary is concerned????
I like Bruce
I guessed there had to be at least one.
Dunstall impressed me the other night.
I like a commentator who can describe the action and also make note of what could have been done better.
I think it was a pass from Marchbank to Pickett which put him in the pocket, and Dunstall made note that Pickett would have had an easier shot for goal with the pass going a few metres to his right rather than left.
It was a refreshing change from wowee he's going to take a shot from the car park.
Public enemy number one for me is Basil zempilas. Likes to kick us any chance he gets and is psycophantic EFC booster to the max. So much so that deep in the final quarter he was more interested in talking about Eddie and how Carlton supporters should be annoyed losing him than talking about the game.