Debi Enker, reviewing Seven's footy coverage in today's Green Guide, opines that Nathan Buckley "can parlay his knowledge of the game, and perceptive readings of strategies and player performance, into illuminating observations as it unfolds." Fair enough... but how would she know? There is a mistake in her first sentence which is the kind of howler that says to me she has barely ever watched Seven's footy.
Close your eyes and you might imagine her sitting at her desk, frantically trying to make deadline: "Someone, anyone, tell me something, anything, about Friday Night Footy!"
AFL Semi-final
Channel Seven, 8pmTV's best football commentary team, anchored by Bruce McAvaney, Dennis "Ox" Cometti and Nathan "Bucks" Buckley, gathers tonight to cover the clash between the Western Bulldogs and the Sydney Swans. It's a lively, well-informed and astute triumvirate. McAvaney, with his terrier-like excitement about the game and firm grasp on all the stats related to it. Cometti, with his rich voice, left-field pop-culture references and inspired off-the-cuff remarks. And this year's versatile new recruit, Buckley. The former Collingwood captain has been proven to be more than just a commanding former player with a profile that's handy for network promotions. He's also one of that rare breed who can parlay his knowledge of the game, and perceptive readings of strategies and player performance, into illuminating observations as it unfolds. While it is true that the nervy Rick Olarenshaw still has some delivery issues down on the ground with his injury reports and interviews, when it comes to the commentary booth, this team triumphs.
What's more, while he's a terrific commentator, most every real footy devotee knows "Ox" Cometti's remarks are anything but off-the-cuff.
Deb: May the Schwarz be with you!
Debbie's observation was "kilometre perfect"
Posted by: Adsy | 11 September 2008 at 22:26
Damn! That's a good one, Ads. Wish I'd thought of it.
Posted by: Tony T | 11 September 2008 at 22:36
Cometti should sue for being confused with that spaz.
Posted by: Adam 1.0 | 12 September 2008 at 11:00
The should make a new reality show: TV Torts. A show in which aggrieved TV personalities sue their critics.
Posted by: Tony T | 12 September 2008 at 11:31
Not to be confused with TV Tortes... where Channel 7 "personalities" like Tom Williams, Rick "Don't Call Me Ricky" Olarenshaw, Noni Hazlehurst and Ernie Dingo intersperse witty repartee with host Bruce McAvaney to produce "special" dishes that you too can make at home by purchasing the Better Homes And Gardens magazine.
A two hour show from 7-9pm on Friday nights to push the AFL coverage past midnight in order to gain the most ratings for the network.
Posted by: Adsy | 12 September 2008 at 11:48
Channel Seven might start a new trend in TV coverage... show the pre-game after the post-game.
Posted by: Tony T | 12 September 2008 at 12:44
Debs just kicked it out on the full involuntarily off her left shin while heading in the wrong direction.
Blimey.
Posted by: via collins | 12 September 2008 at 13:07
Blimey, indeed, VC. Keeping things footy - it was an absolute shocker.
Posted by: Tony T | 12 September 2008 at 13:09
On Tv Torts there could be a whole Daddo season!
Posted by: Soups | 12 September 2008 at 13:20
It must have a theme song by Candace Alley... if only to stop me going Candace Who? whenever she's mentioned as Hackett's pop-star girlfriend.
Posted by: Tony T | 12 September 2008 at 15:09
The latest "Quadrant" has a piece by Patrick McCauley on "Australian Rules Football as Secret Men's Business", critical of the feminisation of Aussie Rules and demanding that the AFL stop developing the game for the benefit of a small vocal minority of suburban feminists.
I agree, get those bloody women out of the Long Room, out of the commentary box, out of the change rooms and all power to Sammy Boy as he mocks that vain and stupid Caroline wotsername.
Posted by: os | 13 September 2008 at 17:22