Crappy commentary, Clubs agree.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
We also tend to kick less goals than other top teams, and kicking goals is really one of the key parts of the game.

Generally speaking top teams kick over 108 points (18 goals equivalent) 45-50% of the time, whereas the Swans do it only about 25%. Top teams kick over 100 points 55-65% of the time, whereas the Swans do it only 35-45%.

I'm assuming that you are saying that Sydney is not a 'top team', despite clear evidence over the past four years to the contrary. And this also ignores the importance of contested possessions and a powerful defence.

As to the commentary, it annoys my wife more than me these days, but it is annoyingly obvious. My pet hates:

- Huddo. Somehow he changes during finals (note the 2003 QF, and the 2005 SF) but in the H&A games he is persistently anti-Swans.

- Blight. His constant babble about us needing a miracle during the Nick Davis Show last year just demonstrated his constant desire to listen to his own voice rather than enjoy the show itself.

- Lane. With a passion. Cant stand him. Because he clearly cant stand us.

- The phrase 'zoning back' used to describe our opponents clear effort to construct a flood Noah would have struggled with. This phrase is exclusive to everyone but us.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Schneiderman
I'm assuming that you are saying that Sydney is not a 'top team', despite clear evidence over the past four years to the contrary.

"We also tend to kick less goals than other top teams."

And this also ignores the importance of contested possessions and a powerful defence.

And that makes for exciting football from a neutral supporter's perspective how?

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
And that makes for exciting football from a neutral supporter's perspective how?

Close scores? I enjoyed the Coll v Adel clash too.

But then I hate WWF.

[Boodnutz]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Schneiderman
[B]
- Blight. His constant babble about us needing a miracle during the Nick Davis Show last year just demonstrated his constant desire to listen to his own voice rather than enjoy the show itself.

- Lane. With a passion. Cant stand him. Because he clearly cant stand us.

- QUOTE] Spot on. When Mal Blight was considering TV commentating someone obviously gave him the advice of "just say the first thing that comes into your head". And its' obviously stuck with him over the years. He does just babble and I don't pay any attention to anything he says. Stan Alves is another. Stanley talks on radio like you can see what he is seeing. No-one has yet told Stanley that comments like "did you see that?" don't go over well on radio.

He's harmless though compared to Lane. For some reason Timmy hates Sydney and doesn't seem to care who knows. His universe is Melbourne and he can't see past any of those clubs. He's hardly a commentator for a national competition. Trouble is as he's a senior guy, his twisted commentary counts against us when commentating to nuetrals.

Far and away the best analysis comes from Mark McClure. He's incisive and doesn't waste time talking rubbish because he thinks he has to fill airwaves.

Which brings me to this ludicrous situation where "commentators " such as Dunstall, Barnes, Watson etc. will always pick their ex-teams in tipping forums. How dumb do they think we are? Does Tim Watson really think Essendon is going to win every week? Same with Dunstall.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Caroline Wilson writes about "unconverted armchair fans" which I take to mean people with little no allegiance to the AFL (and probably little Australian Rules knowledge ~ basically the average Canetoads & Cockroache).

Where as 'Bloods is referring to "neutral supporters" which suggests AFL fans of clubs other than us & the Tigers.

I think they are different viewers entirely, and I also believe that a mediocre AFL game is still far more exciting than 99% of the guff churned out by the leaguies, rah-rahs and socceroos!

So from the point of view of the AFL and the Swans the last thing we need is commentators telling the "unconverted armchair fans" in the audience (who may not know any better) how dull the game is. The poor ignorant fools may switch over to watching the troglodites or the fakers.

[barry]

We'll have Bruce next year, and Bruce loves Sydney!

[Young Blood]

Originally posted by Boodnutz
He's harmless though compared to Lane. For some reason Timmy hates Sydney and doesn't seem to care who knows. His universe is Melbourne and he can't see past any of those clubs. He's hardly a commentator for a national competition.

Couldn't disagree more. Tim is from Tasmania and has long been an advocate for the national competition.

I can clearly remember him talking up the Swans big time in 2003, saying we were the most attractive/exciting side in the competition. I'd agree that he's become less excited by our style over the past 3 years as Roos' game plan has evolved, but I've never felt that he doesn't like us - I think he just calls it as he sees it.

[Swanner]

Agree

I agree 100% with the sentiments in this article. They should stick to calling the game..and not this endless second guessing of the coaches...they should be providing us with facts we can't readily get because of the nature of TV, such as match-ups, etc

[Xie Shan]

Originally posted by barry
Sydney ratings would take a big upturn if we had Sydney based commentators with a Sydney bias.

Well, we already have them on radio (Triple M) - that's a start!

I don't want commentators with a Sydney bias, just those who've done their homework.

[Boodnutz]

Originally posted by Young Blood
Couldn't disagree more. Tim is from Tasmania and has long been an advocate for the national competition.

I can clearly remember him talking up the Swans big time in 2003, saying we were the most attractive/exciting side in the competition. I'd agree that he's become less excited by our style over the past 3 years as Roos' game plan has evolved, but I've never felt that he doesn't like us - I think he just calls it as he sees it.

Yes, yes, Tim originally came from Tassie after calling many TFL games there and his brother Bill played for Hobart (Bill actually both both wrists simultaneously in one game attempting a smother). That's beside the point.

Tim gets that surly upside-down-mouth in place and off he goes. I've never heard him support a national competition. He seems to make a habit of subtely putting the boot into Sydney whenever he can.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Schneiderman
Close scores? I enjoyed the Coll v Adel clash too.

But then I hate WWF.

Close scores help. But scorelines of 8 goals to 7 and masses of stoppages are less likely to get people through the gate or watching on TV than scorelines of 17 goals to 16.

[swannymum]

The commentators and what I think...

Commetti: entertaining and seemingly unbiased.
Lyon: OK.
Brereton: Some interesting insights but loves the sound of his own voice too much.
Quartermain: OK
Lane: Didn't notice bias earlier, but since Sydney won the GF, in 2006 it sounds as though he is barracking for our opposition - whoever that is each week.
Blight: Drivel. How is he earning his money?
The B team on Foxtel (Bartlett/Bennett): Switch off!! (Turn on MMM)
Hudson: Seems impartial until the game is close and then starts barracking for the opposition (must be extremely cut up about the final against the Cats last year).
Rex Hunt: Generally entertaining, but he is starting to become ridiculous.
Newman: Not doing it now, and please don't bring him back. (Whinger).
Healy: Wish he called each week. Brownie points!
Anyone from SA: NOOOOOOO!!!!

[Boodnutz]

Originally posted by swannymum
The commentators and what I think...

Commetti: entertaining and seemingly unbiased.
Lyon: OK.
Brereton: Some interesting insights but loves the sound of his own voice too much.
Quartermain: OK
Lane: Didn't notice bias earlier, but since Sydney won the GF, in 2006 it sounds as though he is barracking for our opposition - whoever that is each week.
Blight: Drivel. How is he earning his money?
The B team on Foxtel (Bartlett/Bennett): Switch off!! (Turn on MMM)
Hudson: Seems impartial until the game is close and then starts barracking for the opposition (must be extremely cut up about the final against the Cats last year).
Rex Hunt: Generally entertaining, but he is starting to become ridiculous.
Newman: Not doing it now, and please don't bring him back. (Whinger).
Healy: Wish he called each week. Brownie points!
Anyone from SA: NOOOOOOO!!!!

Yair, agree with all those. And if Bartlett refers once more to "Fearless" Fosdike I think I'll throw a brick at the TV.

I mean, "Fearless Fosdike"? Where did that come from? Is he Paul Kelly re-incarnated or something? Doesn't Bartlett get it that the nickname hasn't stuck and no-one else says it?

[Young Blood]

Originally posted by Boodnutz
Yes, yes, Tim originally came from Tassie ... That's beside the point.

I've never heard him support a national competition.

I listened to Tim for 15 years when he was 3LO's main man, and continue to do so when he commentates on Friday nights. I also read his column in the Age. He has consistently railed against Victoria-centric views and supported the rights of other states to be part of the national competition. He often explicitly draws on his Tasmanian heritage in this context.

Splitting hairs, he never actually called the TFL - he had been in Victoria for some time before that league was formed. I think he got his start calling the NTFL, but that's well before my time!

[AussieAnge]

Originally posted by Boodnutz
Yair, agree with all those. And if Bartlett refers once more to "Fearless" Fosdike I think I'll throw a brick at the TV.

I mean, "Fearless Fosdike"? Where did that come from? Is he Paul Kelly re-incarnated or something? Doesn't Bartlett get it that the nickname hasn't stuck and no-one else says it?

I believe it is an old comic-book character.