Here's something I thought I'd never write: while Seven's footy broadcasts are far from perfect, I'm enjoying them nevertheless. They certainly dispel the early criticism, mainly from Nine, which was just so much bullshit and spite. Surely, Seven needed a chance to get their ship shape.
The commentary team of McAveney, Cometti, Schwarz & Watson has been fine. They probably aren't as slick as Nine's team, especially in the production department, but getting shot of Dermot and his tortured explanations is an immediate plus. Dennis was Dennis at Nine, and is still is Dennis at Seven. That is to say, polished, accurate, funny, the best footy caller in the bidness. Bruce has throttled the gush, at least most of the time, and has managed to suppress those urges to chuck in mindless stats when he has nothing better to say. Schwarz, who struggles to contain his inner fathead, has used that fatheadedness to advantage, bouncing off the two callers. Maybe he's the fall guy; if so, it's working. Pity his special commenting never tells you anything you don't already know. Still, he's not on his lonesome there. Watson is the least convincing, he needed a smack in the teeth for the way he barracked for the Bullies on Sunday, but he's competent, if irritating. The main complaint would be that they get rid of their bizarre rotation policy, leave that for CrickAussie. Put the four commentators in the box at once. Apparently, Bruce is the one demanding a three person team. No idea why everyone felt/feels the need to shitcan Ricky Olarenshaw, either. I mean, boundary riding is pants at best, Ricky is no better or worse than any other person that's ever done it. Even Doc Larkins, whose impact and worth have been continuously overstated. The ruckus over 'live' broadcasting is a load, too. The usual suspects and professional outragists jumped up and down when Seven showed Earl instead of StKilda/Brisbane live, but Nine were just as keen to delay their telecasts until 8:30 to maintain regular programming.
Few thought Seven would go back to the dismal dark ages of their nineties broadcasts, nor did many think they would throw the bells, whistles and kitchen sink a la Nine in the noughties. But in walking a path somewhere in between they've delivered, for me at any rate, a chummy, user friendly package. Although they could ditch those vertigo aerials.
Wonder if I'll say the same in a year.
Posted by: Tony.T | 15 May 2007 at 10:06
Agreed. I'd had my teeth grit (gritted? grut?) for the onslaught of the Bruce and excessive Sandycam, but nothing like my worst fears has eventuated. And I get to watch four matches a round, even if one of them always involves the Swans. Happy days.
Posted by: Harry | 15 May 2007 at 10:49
They're getting better but McAveney is still coming across as Cometti's nerdy friend. He always tries to add to Dennis' witticisms with lame cringeworthy comments.
Dermie might have been a clown but at least he could keep up with Dennis
Posted by: Andy | 15 May 2007 at 14:24
Since I didn't enter a tipping competition this year, I just assumed the new commentary teams were ok because I didn't have an interest in most of the games.
Posted by: Mr Z | 15 May 2007 at 15:40
McAvaney is out of depth next to Dennis. A Dennis/Sandy team would be ideal.
Watson And Theo X are duds. Timmy last week accused Aaron Davey of sneaking into the defensive 50 to pick up cheaps kicks. At that point Davey have been playing the previous 2 quarters as a permanent back pocket! Timmy just doesn't watch the game.
The thing that annoys me about 7 is their lack of non-game programmes. Sunday TV used to be 5 hours of people talking about footy before a couple of games went to air. Now it's Weekend Rise 'n Shine followed by a cr@p movie. A footy panel show hosted by Cometti would be a winner.
As it is the best non-game program is actually late night on Channel 9 and is not seen in the northern states unless your brother send you video tapes every week!
Posted by: Anthony from Chippendale | 15 May 2007 at 18:07
AfC, I have the highest respect for your sporting nous and hold your opinions in high regard.
But Sandy? SANDY? Have you been drinking? Or maybe you've stopped drinking - is that the problem?
Dennis and Bruce are great.
The thing that shits me the most about Seven is the replay after a goal and THEN cut to an ad-break as the viewer is all set to see the bounce of the ball to restart play. Maybe it's just because we're not used to it, but it's jarring and annoying.
And Schwarz is hopeless.
Posted by: Gareth | 16 May 2007 at 11:32
None better than old Tortoise Head. "And Maxwell's put down the silver hammer . . ." Priceless.
Posted by: slatts | 17 May 2007 at 09:16
Gareth,
I must confess that I've been a long time Sandy fan. Aside from Dennis I reckon he's been the best TV caller of my time. I'm also a big Clinton fan but that's another story.
But Sandy is footy in the 80s. Who could forget "WIN-MAR- WHAT A MARK!" or "Ablett – the magician at work!"
And what about the Mt.Gambier races in 1981? I once got Sandy's autograph and ask him to make it out to my sister, Leanne Cox. He wrote "Cox or Dick I don’t know."
And he and Jack are our best double act over summer when "the tradition continues."
Posted by: Anthony from Chippendale | 17 May 2007 at 10:04
I'm not a golf watcher so I will take your word for it on the last bit. But on the footy (and the Olympics, and the tennis) he's just a tit. Good story from the Mt Gambier Turf Club though!
Posted by: Gareth | 17 May 2007 at 14:37
When "the tradition continues", I traditionally turn on the cricket even though the double act has become a heptupple act with barkers, dancing pandas and clowns.
Sure, Sandy's Dick/Cox is gold, but it's kind of sad the thing he's most remembered for is a World's Best Practice blooper. I reckon his commentary is clear at best, wildly pompous at worst. Maybe he can make a comeback down the track when it becomes apparent our footy commentary depth is abysmal. There's Dennis, Tim Lane, Smokey Dawson (for me), maybe one or two others, and that's about it.
AND WHEN IS SOME BLOODY OUTFIT GOING TO TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T ALREADY KNOW?!? SOMETHING NOT ALREADY BLOODY OBVIOUS! SOMETHING WE CAN'T SEE PLAIN AS DAY ON THE SCREEN!
Get Steve Rielly in the box. Or Jake Niall. Or, fuck I dunno, Patrick Smith even. When have the footy channels EVER had some bloke who when he opens his mouth you go "Yes! Great point"?
Bruce: "Carey grabs the ball. Blind turns. Fends off three tacklers. Feints left. Sells the dummy. Rides a bump. Takes a shot. It's a banana. Impossible angle. IS IT A GOAL?!? YEEEESSS! CAAAAAAAAARRRREEEEEEEEYYYYYYaaaaggggghhhhhhhuuuurgggggg. Cheeeee! Spairshuul! Sidekick, describe that magical goal."
Sidekick: "It was a wonderful goal, Bruce."
Glurg.
May as well turn the thing into a Seven-style daggy chuckle-fest because we get (and have always got) rock all savvy footy analysis.
Posted by: Tony.T | 17 May 2007 at 15:38
I think they should change it so the ex-footballer-so-called-expert-but-professional-card-carrying-bonehead has to do the live current play commentary while the non-football player commentator does the special comments. Allow Dennis and Bruce to sit back and make up some real gag lines.
Posted by: RT | 17 May 2007 at 17:09
My main complaint with the 7 coverage is that they don't show any of the Richmond winning games!
Posted by: chrisl | 17 May 2007 at 22:51