AGB Footy

BEST IN SHOW-OFF

We'll be the judge of this:

"After the break we'll be joined by the best caller in the business: Dwayne Russell."

~~ Jason Dunstall, Foxtel, before the Melbourne vs Hawthorn game.

Don't you get sick of stations continually spruiking their on-air personnel? Fuck knows, I do. If Dwayne Russell is our best footy caller, footy calling is in a shocking state. A wannabe Dennis Cometti without the good humour, Russell comes across as a spiteful smartarse. The call is all about him and his latest bon mot. (An accusation that could be levelled at Cometti with his recent penchant for an intentional one liner, but after 30 odd years in the business as a clever and incisive commentator, he has earned himself the odd indulgence.)

And, what did you think about Kelli Underwood? DD at the Herald Sun and LLL at the Age pretty much have it down:

Kelli Underwood a worthwhile punt for Channel 10

CHANNEL 10 prides itself on being the risk-taking network. When the risk pays off, the rewards - ratings and advertising revenue - are immense.

Plucky Kelli butters up with a solid one percenter

Football’s first woman TV commentator earns a ringing endorsement.

THE argument could be made that the US has come a lot closer to having a female president than Australia ever has to establishing a woman as a regular caller on major male sport coverage.

My big knock on Anthony Hudson, an otherwise capable commentator, is that when the game is hot, he shrieks in a tone guaranteed to peel the paint off the squeakiest blackboards. This will sound sexist, but one can only imagine the GBH of the earhole should Kelli be at the microphone in a big, close match. Still, I like that she modulated her voice to clearly cover the game... and she's better than Michael Christian.

SETANTRUM

Two Irish headbutts:

Carlton's Chris Judd describes O'hAilpin violence as 'regrettable'

CARLTON captain Chris Judd has described Setanta O'hAilpin's violent bust-up with a teammate today as "regrettable".

Carlton coach Brett Ratten refused to rule out sacking O'hAilpin after he punched and kicked teammate Cameron Cloke during an intra-club match today.