Matt Burgan

[BangkokDemon 96]

Matt "works" for the club. You hardly think he's going to ask the "hard questions".

As someone who lives outside Australia, I find his general line of questioning is quite informative.

I know the interviews are often "paid commercials".

But things seep through.

[mordja 187]

Matt isn't a professional presenter, that's not his role, he is responsible for the content on the website which has improved significantly since he started.

Maybe he isn't polished or as attractive as you are after but if you go back and look at the lack of content, articles, interviews pre him I think you may feel differently. The interviews with new staff, the increase in pieces such as the stats and tactical pieces on the site last year were all due to him pushing increased content.

Have a chat with Matt, I think you'll see the positives in having him there

[mordja 187]

Just to add, in the couple of times I've spoken to Matt he was very open to ideas and feedback, so perhaps less keyboard warrior action and a more proactive approach would get an improved result for anyone that is potting him.

[Sir Why You Little 34,767]

Matty does alright....we get heaps more info than we used to pre 2008...Enjoy it!!!

[Axis of Bob 10,325]

The only real problem I have with Melbourne employing Burgan is that now he doesn't do the AFL phantom draft.

Other than that I think the official site has improved 100x since he has joined.

[Doggo 32]

I like him. Thought it was real funny in his interview with Beamer how he had to do a double-take (too [censored]!) of the intro, and even funnier that they decided to leave that in and not edit it out.

[bing181 8,208]

I like him a lot - he's not stupid, he asks the right questions, or at least enough questions to keep the interview moving on, he's very pro-Dees, he's up to speed on what's happening in the club, and the "amateur hour" presentation is actually pretty solid. In particular, for an in-house broadcast, he's just the right balance of "one of us" and "someone slick that we brought in just to do this presentation". And as others around here have pointed out, the club's on-line presence and content has gone up a number of notches since he came onboard.

But heh ... if you don't like him, don't watch him.

[Apocalypse XXXI 243]

I have no issues with Matt Burgan. He is knowledgable and his articles are interesting, albeit non controversial in view of the fact that he's employed by the club.

I'm finding the club website is regularly updated and, apart from the weekly injury information, keeps us well informed.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

I like matty. He isn't perfect but that's what i like about him. I liked the B&F interview with beamer where they kept his first take in there I thought that was gold. But hell it could be worse. This could be our man if you want Golly.

http://youtu.be/gitT-GN2Y2I

[Chook 14,605]

I think he suffers from that terrible sports journalist disease known as "presenting a statement as a question." I prefer my journalists to pose their questions as follows:

"How do you feel about your Best and Fairest win?", not "Your Best and Fairest win must be a great reward for effort."

The first one allows the interviewee to actually voice their opinion, as follows: "I'm really happy about my performance this year, and it was a great reward for my effort, but . . .", rather than "um . . . yeah, it was." Where can you really go from there, as an interviewee?

Edited September 28, 2011 by Chook

[Big Kev 340]

The only real problem I have with Melbourne employing Burgan is that now he doesn't do the AFL phantom draft.

Other than that I think the official site has improved 100x since he has joined.

I concur.

[Nasher 33,162]

Matt isn't a professional presenter, that's not his role, he is responsible for the content on the website which has improved significantly since he started.

Maybe he isn't polished or as attractive as you are after but if you go back and look at the lack of content, articles, interviews pre him I think you may feel differently. The interviews with new staff, the increase in pieces such as the stats and tactical pieces on the site last year were all due to him pushing increased content.

Exactly. His role is more holistic than just the interviews, he's responsible for the entire content and it's improved significantly since he took on the role - there are actually articles worth reading on there now and they're presented in a timely manner. I'm happy with his work even if he isn't the most polished interviewer in the known universe.

[stranga 328]

have we seriously run out of Melbourne affiliates to "pay out on" on here?

Your avatar is gold! i had the whole set as a kid.

[mauriesy 6,844]

I'm happy with his work even if he isn't the most polished interviewer in the known universe.

Me too. You need to look at what we used to get to put it in context.

I can't see that Matt Burgan is any worse at presenting than Andrew Maher, 'Fitzy', Dave Hughes or James Brayshaw, who seem to hang around on more mainstream media talking about football. Even Bruce McAvaney gets shrill.

[jayceebee31 671]

WOW-

We are steeping low in the barrel now. I personally think Matty has been sensational. Although, I understand your point of view, I think he brings us news promptly & conscisely. I have been a strong critic of the website in the past but by God he has significantly improved it. However, like everything, there is room for improvement.Updating our player list with accurate information is one beef I have.

[Lutz 76]

Me too. You need to look at what we used to get to put it in context.

I can't see that Matt Burgan is any worse at presenting than Andrew Maher, 'Fitzy', Dave Hughes or James Brayshaw, who seem to hang around on more mainstream media talking about football. Even Bruce McAvaney gets shrill.

Hell - look at the AFL itself!

Silvagni at All Australian: "on the HBF Robert Harvey from Western Bulldogs, at CHB Sam Reid from Collingwood......"

Demetriou at Brownlow: "Hawthorn, I. O'Mith, 1 vote........."

[Demon3 2,541]

Is it just me or is this guy just a bit of amateur hour.

Jordie's sister did so well the other night and deserves the mantle.

Thoughts.....

No its just You. Matt is a great Journo, brilliant melbourne man and ripping bloke. His red carpet stuff was not meant to be anything other than fun.. it was not the Oscars. Lighten up. He is anything but Amatuer.

[DemonWA 3,520]

he's reasonable. He keeps the content coming and we cant ask for more than that.

My only gripe is the teams chat - its a waste of time and effort becasue he can only speculate on why players were dropped or selected, just like everyone else

[mdemonski2 403]

The op bagging Matt is clearly knifing him as he wants his job. Problem is op has no idea what Matt's job is. Matt is the club's pr. He is no an independent journo. His job is to communicate the positives about the club and manage the negatives/issues. He is not an independent journo that is going to ask the hard hitting and probing questions.

No OP you cannot have matt's job. He is far better at it than you.

[mdemonski2 403]

Ps: FWIW as a member (and from my perspective as a club stakeholder) I think matt is doing a great job managing different club stakeholders and managing the communications program. Great appointment by the club since he joined I think a year or two ago.

[dee-eee 231]

Uncomfortable with this post. Matt comes across as a genial, intelligent guy.Surely we can't expect an employee of the Club to be a probing Kerry O'Brien--type interviewer !

[Chook in Perth 2,012]

I don't post here very often, so feel free to tell me to mind my own business. However....

Mods- how on earth have you let this thread grow legs?? Surely such unfounded criticism of a club employee is against the rules? (i haven't bothered to check)

Burgo is an accomplished and high respected journalist that we are lucky to have. He's not Andrew Denton and isn't pretending to be. Does the OP think we should pull out the cheque book and wheel Michael Parkinson out of retirement to do the odd 2 minute interview?

[KingSlayer33 170]

While I check-in to 'land most days I very rarely posted and had my account removed a while back for this reason. This thread made me re-register for the benefit of the employees at the club who check in here and 'ology occasionally so I can show my support to a bloke who I think is doing a good job.

As Chook said above, Matt Burgan does exactly what he is paid to do and does it well.

Poor thread from OP in my opinion.

[Rogue 585]

I like matty. He isn't perfect but that's what i like about him. I liked the B&F interview with beamer where they kept his first take in there I thought that was gold. But hell it could be worse. This could be our man if you want Golly.

http://youtu.be/gitT-GN2Y2I

That was so hard to watch. Haha.

Mods- how on earth have you let this thread grow legs?? Surely such unfounded criticism of a club employee is against the rules? (i haven't bothered to check)

Not on my reading.

I don't see why people shouldn't be able to discuss the performance of the MFC communications staff.

While the OPs view is in the minority I don't think it was presented in a way which should preclude the OP from posting it.

[old dee 22,966]

Hmmm

Me wonders "who is KingSlayer33"?

Edited September 29, 2011 by old dee