22 hours ago, McQueen said:

There's seriously not one single winner on the ch7 commentary team.

 

I catch myself chuckling at BT sometimes. "Open another pop up!"

And Bruce is Bruce. Love or hate him, he's an icon of his field.

The rest on Seven are pretty awful. Basil Zemplas may be the worst commentator in the history of sport. Certainly Australian sport. And I'm convinced Leigh Matthews doesn't watch a minute of football outside of the games to which he is assigned.

12 hours ago, small but forward said:

I learned more about the footy listening to Swan Mackay on 774 in the 80's, and he was the around the grounds updater.

Thanks for reminding me how old I am!

5 hours ago, At the break of Gawn said:

Terrible special comments caller. Just yells at the mic with just obvious stuff. No insight whatsoever. 

Channel 7 really need to overhaul their commentary team. Leigh Matthews is probably the worst. Doesn't watch any footy apart from the games he commentates so his knowledge is dated and largely irrelevant now. I do love Bruce though for big moments...

My finger was hovering over the Like This button and then I got to the last sentence and all of a sudden my hand was repelled backwards so quickly I think I've dislocated my shoulder!

Does anyone honestly think that Hamish would have a job as a commentator if Gill wasn't his brother? 

The common thread seems to be that the commentary team on 7 is useless not just Ling.

They drive me to distraction.

...but I remember Ling being pretty good when he first started his commentary.

I mean, he does have a clue although you would be forgiven for believing the opposite.

So, a couple of things or more...

7 are obviously instructing them to appeal to the lowest common denominator, those that don't have much of a clue about football and think a press is something you do to your shirt.

7 are also in the business of ratings so a further instruction is to pump up the big teams at all cost, wow, Collingwood are looking switched on tonight (just after the first bounce).

They need to pension off Mathews, Carey and Watson (probably a few more) or find other jobs for them, too long out of the game and bring no insight. Of course they won't, the legendary names are good on the credits. They have become part of Ross Lyon's 'penny dreadfuls', trying to remain relevant.

Special comments need to be the realm of ex players/coaches just out of the game. Like Malthouse or not his insights on radio are pretty good, my guess is he would be too hot for 7 to touch...wouldn't go along with the dumbing down. 

...and please Dennis, reconsider your retirement. At least you had some flair and were well prepared unlike the buffoon they've replaced you with.

 

Football commentary has been bad since Grybass passed. He was a star. Smart, witty, with a superb football IQ. Knew how to read and call the play without relying on hyperbole and over excitement. Even made boring games enjoyable. BT and Co these days make exciting games a chore to listen to. 

I liked his blue and white checked shirt but didn't think his tie matched !

9 hours ago, rjay said:

7 are obviously instructing them to appeal to the lowest common denominator, those that don't have much of a clue about football and think a press is something you do to your shirt.

Call it Oaf Demographics. It's the same for Nine and the cricket.

9 hours ago, rjay said:

They need to pension off Mathews, Carey and Watson (probably a few more) or find other jobs for them, too long out of the game and bring no insight.

The trouble is Ling is not too long out of the game, and he talks utter twaddle. Same for 7's last experiment, Tom Harley - hopeless. There aren't too many recent retirees starring with the microphone, if any.

This Sunday morning, off the top of my head, I can't think of one special commentator, old or new, who makes me go "hmm, good point".

Comments on being special, non funny quips and stating the obvious are Lingy's forte.

The others throw to Lingy when they run out of something to say.

He's vital to the team.

Peter Bell was on Coodabeens. 

Articulate, insightful about life and work - not only footy. Funny too. 

Believe he hosts ABC morning radio in Perth. 

Loved Peter Landy's excitement. 

Reckon Lane and Morphett best ever pair. 

Doyen of all time - Doug Heywood; 

"Fitzsimmons to Flower is good football". 

Tony Charlton too. 

Get Ready for Nick Riewoldt then.... urghhh!.  Seen nothing from Nick Dal Santo on Foxtel that leads me to believe that he should be involved in the media either. Trouble with the industry is they tend to celebrate the 'superstars' by rewarding them with jobs in the media where there insight is nothing more than captain obvious moments.  At least boundary riders like Dipper and Cam Mooney had/have lively personalities. 

Playing ability guarantees nothing in narrating. Could anyone imagine Ablett with a mike ? 

4 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Playing ability guarantees nothing in narrating. Could anyone imagine Ablett with a mike ? 

Williamson or Fitzpatrick?

Ablett Snr would be interesting. 

Seven once tried Ablett senior. Once. He was completely hopeless.

Remember Silvagni years ago? Zero personality.

Mike Williamson and Butch Gale

"Bluey" Adams was dam good behind the microphone as he was on "Football Inquest" at 6.30 Saturday Night. 

"Hit the boundary line....... "I've gone Butch" .... "I've had three heart attacks already"..... and one from Ian Robertson at the glorious last round at the Western Oval in 87... "Cousins...., go for it harder son... this is a desperate situation...." Pure gold, that the fellows today could not even dream of!!

On 6/11/2017 at 0:23 PM, grazman said:

Get Ready for Nick Riewoldt then.... urghhh!.  Seen nothing from Nick Dal Santo on Foxtel that leads me to believe that he should be involved in the media either. Trouble with the industry is they tend to celebrate the 'superstars' by rewarding them with jobs in the media where there insight is nothing more than captain obvious moments.  At least boundary riders like Dipper and Cam Mooney had/have lively personalities. 

I think Nick Dal is ok. Pretty honest and insightful comments.

Edited June 12, 20178 yr by Redleg

Ling's commentary has deteriorated since he first started. As others in this thread have suggested, this may we'll be 'dumbing down' to instruction. God knows where this ends...they end up commentating in acronyms? If that's so then it's MBBFF..Mute Button Best Friend Forever.

Edited June 12, 20178 yr by TRIGON

Cameron Ling is ruining my life....... will Channel 7 please make it stop!!!

I'd prefer Grant Thomas, for voice alone.

Player X makes an obvious mistake. 

Ling 'That was a crucial mistake from Player X. You have to better then that at this standard of footy'.

Repeat for each mistake made for 2 hours. That's it. That's all he's got.

On 2017-06-11 at 0:23 PM, grazman said:

Get Ready for Nick Riewoldt then.... urghhh!.  Seen nothing from Nick Dal Santo on Foxtel that leads me to believe that he should be involved in the media either. Trouble with the industry is they tend to celebrate the 'superstars' by rewarding them with jobs in the media where there insight is nothing more than captain obvious moments.  At least boundary riders like Dipper and Cam Mooney had/have lively personalities. 

Nick Dal is insightful and offers up the modern game to old schoolers -I like  Roos kingy Derm on fox also , I learn somthing every now and then . 

Progressive is good . Adam Cooney is honest and knowledgeable on sen . 

I'm another that recalls Ling was good when he first started but yeah, annoying now.

There are too many special commentators, too many comments and if anything, not enough commentary

Just call the game. Leave the other stuff for the breaks