Bruce McAvaney retires from commentary

[GroggSquad]

The preparation Bruce put into his craft was a testament to his professionalism. From personal backstory, professional journey, and correct/preferred pronunciation of names - Bruce displayed what a professional sports caller, rather than an enthusiastic ex-athlete who makes commentary about themselves rather than the game, looks like.

His late career style was again an approach of a true professional. Early commentators were born out of the radio era, where the commentator had to ‘paint a picture’ for the listener. The modern televised sports commentator should provide an insight to the game, rather than a ‘play-by-play’ call. What is referred to as ‘colour’ commentary and ‘play-by-play’ is being replaced by professional, technical sports commentary. Bruce moved away from the ‘play-by-play’ to attempts at technical insight.

Bruce was a professional with a long career and improved the game.

I really struggle to understand this take of Bruce - have you actually been listening to him over the past 10 years or are you blinded by "Sydney 2000" nostalgia?

He was technically terrible and incredibly one-dimensional. For instance, every second phrase from him was a rhetorical question - surely a true professional would not overuse this 'gimmick' and provide a bit more variety to their call?

Then there was all the moaning and groaning over his "favourites" like Cyril and Dusty. He just came across like a complete amateur who only knew the stars of the game and lacked deeper knowledge of the lesser players.

The absolute worst thing about him though was his use of phrases like "delicious" and "you'd love to be tackled by him" - I mean who can honestly listen to that without cringing? He sounds like a complete creep.

The game is a better place with Bruce not in it.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

So much passion and professionalism.

Thanks for your service Bruce.

Legend.

Yeah well said - and i thought he was excellent - got that racing background which i quite like

I think he is making the right decision - 2 factors - his age - Cometti got out at a similar age - and if it is an interrupted season again - like he had to call last years games sitting in a SA tv studio

As for the rubbishes - what you have to take into account is that 90% of big footy posters ( and for that matter social media ) they just rubbish everything

In their eyes 90% of the callers are hopeless - 90% of whatever the AFL do is hopeless - they just bag the shiit out of everything

Denis and Bruce hey - theve both gone out to a nice green pasture - and to put a racing angle on it again - Phar Lap and Tulloch hey - ha

 

[Sky]

Anytime an indigenous player went near the football Bruce would focus on them like they were the main character of the show and everyone else was the supporting cast

At least no one can claim he is a racist like everyone else supposedly is in 2021.

 

[gingernuts]

Yes and it was the creepiest most cringweworthy commentating I have ever heard.

His sexualising commentary on Rankine was disturbing. Rankine will be an excellent, top line talent, but McEvaney's deep throated growl of yes, Yes, YES when Rankine kicked a goal was really off putting. A 70 year old man literally making climax noises about a 20 y.o was the time I thought Bruce should hang them up.
Was one of the best for decades, utter professional, but the last couple of years were getting cringy and a bit worrying.

The climax noises i.make are fake

Yes and it was the creepiest most cringweworthy commentating I have ever heard.

His sexualising commentary on Rankine was disturbing. Rankine will be an excellent, top line talent, but McEvaney's deep throated growl of yes, Yes, YES when Rankine kicked a goal was really off putting. A 70 year old man literally making climax noises about a 20 y.o was the time I thought Bruce should hang them up.
Was one of the best for decades, utterprofessional, but the last couple of years were getting cringy and a bit worrying.

Fake climax noises or ridgy didge

 

[juss]

Like him or hate him, he's been a key figure in AFL and sports media for the last few decades.

His commentary overlays some iconic and significant sporting moments.

I think his commentary declines significantly in the last half dozen years or so, but I respect the career of the man.

 

[gingernuts]

I hope this does not mean Jobe watson gets more air time.he is the worst commentator that has ever been.
Absolutely shocking.cant put 3 words together.
I will go.out on a limb here and say be prepared for a lot more of jobe watson
Worst caller since jesus played full back for Jerusalem..

 

[master bate]

I hope this does not mean Jobe watson gets more air time.he is the worst commentator that has ever been.
Absolutely shocking.cant put 3 words together.
I will go.out on a limb here and say be prepared for a lot more of jobe watson
Worst caller since jesus played full back for Jerusalem..

Jobe does special comments, Bruce stepping away will have no bearing on how much he is used. Unless I've missed something 7 will still pick between BT, Brayshaw, Hamish Mc, Luke Darcy and Jason Bennett to be the play by play commentators.

 

[The 747]

I hope this does not mean Jobe watson gets more air time.he is the worst commentator that has ever been.
Absolutely shocking.cant put 3 words together.
I will go.out on a limb here and say be prepared for a lot more of jobe watson
Worst caller since jesus played full back for Jerusalem..

Jobe is entertaining - although not in the way they intend. Keep an ear out for his lines, they are pretty funny if you are an English speaker.

 

[Billy ray]

How good would Jason Bennett be for Friday night games. On his own with one special comments. And two people down behind each bench.

 

[Turnover]

Hopefully this starts a wave of retirements in AFL commentary.

 

[master bate]

The preparation Bruce put into his craft was a testament to his professionalism. From personal backstory, professional journey, and correct/preferred pronunciation of names - Bruce displayed what a professional sports caller, rather than an enthusiastic ex-athlete who makes commentary about themselves rather than the game, looks like.

His late career style was again an approach of a true professional. Early commentators were born out of the radio era, where the commentator had to ‘paint a picture’ for the listener. The modern televised sports commentator should provide an insight to the game, rather than a ‘play-by-play’ call. What is referred to as ‘colour’ commentary and ‘play-by-play’ is being replaced by professional, technical sports commentary. Bruce moved away from the ‘play-by-play’ to attempts at technical insight.

Bruce was a professional with a long career and improved the game.

No. Bruce shifted from professional play by play commentary to a parody of himself. All the nonsensical questions. The over exuberant expressions. The nicknames and over the top enjoyment of particular players. They weren't professional or technical at all.

Footy commentary has shifted from 1 caller maintaining a sensible pace and shifting up a notch as the play does to 2 callers trying to match the intensity of the players and then competing with each other to fill every second of space.

The early days of the return to footy on 7 when Bruce wasn't attempting to compete with Cometti were good calls. Dennis had a way to inject character and humour in to the call without it becoming over the top nonsense. Unfortunately either by circumstance or from a management directive Bruce tried to become his own character and it was bad parody. Things only got worse when he was paired with BT. That's the direction the calling is taking with the rise of Dwayne and BT but it sure isn't a good thing. I certainly wouldn't label it as providing insight, professional or technical. It's adding a layer of theatre that just isn't need.

The best called games of footy on TV last season were from Mark Howard. He didn't try to pick out every single player involved in a scrappy piece of play. He was even comfortable with silence at times as the ball was passed around the backline or with repeat stoppages. He allowed his special comments men (and women) time to explain the game and asked them questions if he felt the viewer needed more information. That should be the future and it's a role Bruce could've adapted to brilliantly but it's not what he did.

 

[master bate]

Yeah that's what i came on to find out, Dennis got a year long swansong which I'm sure Bruce would have been keen for, not like he doesnt like the attention. Getting pushed was my instinct soon as i saw the headline

Covid might've been a factor. I'm hoping commentators are at ground this year. But if not that at least in the same room. Bruce calling from home with the rest of the commentators in Melbourne was a huge testament to his professionalism but I'm sure it impacted the call. They might've thought he'd at least by able to get to Melbourne and back if not to the actual games.

 

[carloss]

How good would Jason Bennett be for Friday night games. On his own with one special comments. And two people down behind each bench.

Listening to the VFL, Jason Bennett, Nigel Carmody and Campbell Brown were good.

 

[Lip Gallagher]

Had some cringeworthy moments but i liked him, will be missed.

 

[vandelay11]

Does anyone else think that he possibly is retiring because he is about to start transitioning?

 

[Pickett4GOAT]

You’ll all miss him once we start getting more Luke Darcy

Mate, when I first heard Darcy I was wondering whether there was an audio delay. Now I know if he's three comments behind the play it's just the status quo. Now with Brayshaw taking over Bruce's gig, I keep having this nightmare of Saturday nights with Darcy, Richo and Basil Zempilas.

 

[Cripps 'n' Blue Bloods]

Thanks for your contributions over the years Bruce. Some great calls and some iconic moments, but he's been off the pace for quite a while.
Now we just need to get rid of BT and get some fresh talent in.
We had Cal Twomey and Riley Beveridge commentate the Carl v Ess practice match. Was a bit of a mixed reaction on our board, but I liked them. They were a little understated (could maybe use a little more emotion and excitement at times), but more knowledgeable about the players than your average commentator.
Reckon they could both be quite good with a bit more experience and training.

 

[piesaregreat]

Finally wont have to mute the TV
About 20 years too late

 

[magpie_marty]

I will take Bruce and Dennis,
Compared to Taylor and co.
Good luck Bruce.

 

[kozi]

The moment he crept up behind Dusty while seated at the Brownlow will be forever tattooed in my brain.

 

[Pistol Night]

The moment he crept up behind Dusty while seated at the Brownlow will be forever tattooed in my brain.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

The moment he crept up behind Dusty while seated at the Brownlow will be forever tattooed in my brain.

I dont think Dusty would be easy to interview

I heard that Freo FB - Luke Ryan say last year -that Martin is the only player he has played on - who didnt say one single word to him for the whole game

Mind you - you would have no problem interviewing Dusty - because you are a Big Footy poster - an expert in everything

 

[Tomford]

I don't know why but I've always liked his Grand Final commentary and thought he's remained good at it.

 

[Gordon Farkas]

Exactly. The talent pool for good commentators is awfully shallow.

The talent pool probably isn’t that shallow. The problem is that Channel 7 has no eye for talent, no judgement as to what constitutes actual talent and no competence to recognise, cultivate or reward real talent.

If Channel 7 was an AFL team and commentators were players then it would have won the last 10 wooden spoons; have squandered all its high draft picks; be universally regarded as an off-field rabble with a bad culture; and be accused of tanking every season by deliberately playing muppets who are simply not up to AFL standard.

 

[windyhill]

Hopefully this starts a wave of retirements in AFL commentary.

Take note brereton