Footy Personalities: Forced Upon Us

[Wooljay]

Nepotism and a boys club mentality. Basically describes half the AFL fourth estate.

 

[Franc de Borges]

Just tried to think of someone in football broadcasting that I don't hate. There aren't any.

Stopped watching all the shows years ago.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

The inundation of Bill Brownless always mystifies me. I really need something more than someone parading around with a fat guts and talking about "frothies". I'm sure he's a good bloke, but I know many good blokes who also shouldn't be in the media.

 

[Jack Bradley]

I note with interest that the latest radio survey ratings are in, and they don't paint a pretty picture for SEN, and specifically, the much publicized return of Garry Lyon to broadcasting in their morning team.

I'm sure you can find a news service of your choice to give you the figures (SEN share dropped from 3.8 to 2.5) - but it got me thinking about the complete inability of the fourth estate to realise that what they say is a valid opinion, doesn't make it a valid opinion.

Specifically in this case, that of Garry Lyon.

I'm not really interested in the drama that caused his sabbatical in the first place, but his return was heralded as some sort of massive homecoming for one of the best voices in football.

Hang on - when did that happen? At what point did Garry Lyon become some sort of ultimate football authority? His crowning achievement post a decent (if not great) playing career is hosting a show more about buffoonery and entertainment than footy.

And yet we're told by the greater rumblings of the industry that this is a voice to be listened to.

The problem as I see it though, is that your serious football fans tend to reject those that don't really deserve such accolades.

When Matthew Lloyd talks about a forwards craft, leading, goal kicking technique - I listen.

When Brian Lake talks about the subtleties of team defense, playing in front of an opponent - I listen.

When a man who never seemed to have the proverbial stones to coach himself attempts to analyse the errors made by actual coaches, well...

So my question I suppose is, why does the industry insist on pushing people who clearly don't have the support of the wider football public?

Craig Hutchison is one of the most thoroughly dislikable people in football, and yet is hosting The Footy Show.

Hamish McLachlan is, well Rompingwins.

Is it just a lack of talent in broadcasting today? Or are media outlets convinced they can simply push what they like under our noses?

I stopped reading when you stated you listen to Brian lakes commentary

 

[PenAndPaper]

Just tried to think of someone in football broadcasting that I don't hate. There aren't any.

Stopped watching all the shows years ago.

Not a fan of Lingy?

 

[Franc de Borges]

Not a fan of Lingy?

It's amazing how all manner of achievements become redundant once you understand how much of a dickhead someone is.

 

[Bluelegs]

Also Dermie needs to stop being a condescending prick when he talks about anything footy related.

"Good boy."

 

[Chuckie357]

He's the most critical, negative, draining guy to listen to. Can really bring down the excitement of a footy match. And every third word is "ahhh" which makes him sound like a moron.

He will only be remembered for the gold c***s debacle

 

[Jack Bradley]

I hate dermi more than any other footy 'personality' out there.

2nd would be Healy
3rd Derrrwayne Russell

 

[basashi]

People greatly under estimate how strong industry push is compared to viewer pull. Its a mistake to think it is totally ratings driven. Once a handful of network execs decide you are a celebrity then there is very little that can dislodge you.

 

[BBC1967]

One name, one person started the AFL boys club in 1994. AFL has not been the same since. Eddie McChins. The rest fade into insignificance.

 

[Runnin Blue]

I've never understood the hate for Gerard Healey and Dwayne Russell. They are both intelligent (compared to the vast majority of other football personalities), both unbiased (compared to the vast majority of other football personalities) and both good at their job. Dwayno's been calling the NBL games and doesn't miss a beat. They don't deserve the hate in my opinion.

Craig Hutchinson AKA "Jabba the Hut" on the other hand, is a joke. I've said it before, whomever was the first to decide to put him in front of a camera is an absolute idiot.

 

[RedWhite&Blue]

I have loved listening to SEN but the Garry Lyin appointment has really disappointed me. I really cannot stand him and hate the fact that some of the Footy Show cancer has spread to SEN.
Give me an Andy Maher anyday.
Hutchy is the captain of a sinking ship which will hopefully just disappear.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Wayne Carey is the face of the boys club.

Awful commentator and drag queen tv make up, awkward silences from other hosts after his gags, you know what he's going to say as soon as he starts talking and he takes an eternity to actually say it, has an extensive shame file but still sits front and centre in a media gig. Made me cringe seeing him smiling away with a white ribbon pinned to his chest during a broadcast.

Not to mention his terrible, grade 3 standard newspaper column.

Sheesh.

 

[arfadunger]

I disliked Garry Lyon way before it was cool.

Me too. In fact I totally agree with the OP's summation of him:

At what point did Garry Lyon become some sort of ultimate football authority? His crowning achievement post a decent (if not great) playing career is hosting a show more about buffoonery and entertainment than footy.

And yet we're told by the greater rumblings of the industry that this is a voice to be listened to.

The problem as I see it though, is that your serious football fans tend to reject those that don't really deserve such accolades.


When a man who never seemed to have the proverbial stones to coach himself attempts to analyse the errors made by actual coaches, well...

But would also like to add that as well as not having the balls to coach himself he was heavily involved of the appointment of 2 of the most diabolical coaching appointments I've ever seen with Dean Bailey and Mark Neeld (although in hindsight and fairness maybe Bailey wasn't as bad as some would want us to think).

 

[Leather Poisoning]

I've never understood the hate for Gerard Healey and Dwayne Russell. They are both intelligent (compared to the vast majority of other football personalities), both unbiased (compared to the vast majority of other football personalities) and both good at their job. Dwayno's been calling the NBL games and doesn't miss a beat. They don't deserve the hate in my opinion.

Craig Hutchinson AKA "Jabba the Hut" on the other hand, is a joke. I've said it before, whomever was the first to decide to put him in front of a camera is an absolute idiot.

Good to hear a different opinion.

Dwayne is painful someof the time but agree that he's unbiased and at least he does his best to ramp up the excitement. (He often has to commentate horrible games because they don't give him the prime time gigs).

 

[HairyO]

The problem is Crocmedia, They basically run the footy media landscape and its a massive boys club. Honestly one of the most insightful people I listen to is Cameron Ling but he doesn't really have a larger media presence, whether that's due to him not wanting to be prominent or his 'look' I don't know but people like that need to have more of a presence imo.

Also Dermie needs to stop being a condescending prick when he talks about anything footy related.

Wait. Derm talks about footy? When?

Normally he rambles on about crap which is completely unrelated to the game.

I do really like Ling though. Always gives sensible opinions on the game and never comes across as a douche.

 

[RightYouAreThen]

I note with interest that the latest radio survey ratings are in, and they don't paint a pretty picture for SEN, and specifically, the much publicized return of Garry Lyon to broadcasting in their morning team.

I'm sure you can find a news service of your choice to give you the figures (SEN share dropped from 3.8 to 2.5) - but it got me thinking about the complete inability of the fourth estate to realise that what they say is a valid opinion, doesn't make it a valid opinion.

Specifically in this case, that of Garry Lyon.

I'm not really interested in the drama that caused his sabbatical in the first place, but his return was heralded as some sort of massive homecoming for one of the best voices in football.

Hang on - when did that happen? At what point did Garry Lyon become some sort of ultimate football authority? His crowning achievement post a decent (if not great) playing career is hosting a show more about buffoonery and entertainment than footy.

And yet we're told by the greater rumblings of the industry that this is a voice to be listened to.

The problem as I see it though, is that your serious football fans tend to reject those that don't really deserve such accolades.

When Matthew Lloyd talks about a forwards craft, leading, goal kicking technique - I listen.

When Brian Lake talks about the subtleties of team defense, playing in front of an opponent - I listen.

When a man who never seemed to have the proverbial stones to coach himself attempts to analyse the errors made by actual coaches, well...

So my question I suppose is, why does the industry insist on pushing people who clearly don't have the support of the wider football public?

Craig Hutchison is one of the most thoroughly dislikable people in football, and yet is hosting The Footy Show.

Hamish McLachlan is, well Rompingwins.

Is it just a lack of talent in broadcasting today? Or are media outlets convinced they can simply push what they like under our noses?

Mate that is a great post

 

[Jade]

Mate that is a great post

Cheers.

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]

I stopped reading when you stated you listen to Brian lakes commentary

Hmmm, he must have strangled a North player at some stage.

I like Brian Lake, I like Mark MacLure, I like Jason Dunstall and I used to love Grant Thomas and Bruce.

 

[Stax on the mill]

Just tried to think of someone in football broadcasting that I don't hate. There aren't any.

Stopped watching all the shows years ago.

Eddie's o.k. surely?

 

[Jade]

(Lloyd isn't that great as a commentator by the way)

Never said he was, but I recognise that he's a subject matter expert on those specific points.

 

[Thrawn]

Most of the populace who watch these shows aren't going to really care about their personalities. "Craig who" comes to mind.

 

[Jade]

The ones who actually watch the games don't bother me, even if their opinions are crap.

You can tell that so many don't even watch every game. I'm sorry, but if you aren't watching 9 games a week, gtfo! It's haardly deep seam mining.

Yeah I don't mind disagreeing with a commentator if they are enthusiastic about the game. There are come commentators and industry hangers on (looking at you Caro) who genuinely have no love for the game - and it really shows.

To be fair, I'm not having a crack at Lyon. I don't have any real dislike for his work - but he's a fairly average analyst and a fairly average commentator - it's this 'push' by the industry to try and make me think he's some sort of great authority - he's not.

 

[Jade]

I stopped reading when you stated you listen to Brian lakes commentary

Serious? Not saying he's a great, or even good commentator. What I am saying is the bloke is a phenomenal defender, and if he wants to talk about that I'd certainly listen.