What are the Key Selection Criteria for an effective football special comments commentator? Identify game trends? Pick apart tactics? Predict what might happen? Simple language, good timing, clear communication skills? It's not asking for much, is it? Or is it? Has there ever been a special comments commentator who, during the course of play, has been able to consistently describe the game along those simple lines? Most tell you superfluous stats, what you already know, what you've just seen, the bleedin' obvious. Many talk rubbish. Many talk rubbish and have their on air partners chime in with their own rubbish like "Blighty, you genius" and "you said it, Leigh" and "You have done your research, Tom." Well, I guess they are trying to sell their product.
Nathan Buckley was excellent, but Paul Roos, judging by his laconic demeanour, clear communication and obvious understanding of the caper may well go closest to meeting all the commentator KSCs. Not that the bar is raised particularly high, or to put it in the modern commentarial parlance, not that the vertical augmentation appliance is elevated to a satisfactory altitude:
Paul Roos to call game as it is in special comments role for Fox Sports
PAUL Roos says too many AFL commentators fail to do their research and simply tell viewers how they believe the game should be played.
The former Sydney coach is the star signing for Fox Sports, where he will give special comments and appear on review show On The Couch.
But Roos says he is determined to call the game as it is, rather than how he would like it to be played. He believes it is too easy for former players and coaches out of touch with the game to influence the views of the supporters.
I would love to see Bruce McAvaney (a true pro; used to gush; was over-exposed; got the balance right; discovered his sense of humour, probably because he is working with Dennis Cometti), Dennis Cometti (easily the best in the business) and Paul Roos do the Friday night matches.
By the way. James Hird was ordinary On The Couch.
Posted by: Tony | 02/18/2011 at 12:40 PM
Hird is obviously a likeable bloke with a lot of knowledge, but I got the feeling that half the reason they got him on OTC was to grill him about Essendon. And due to political concerns, he couldn't answer honestly. While it was interesting if you're into footy industry politics - and who is, apart from those in the footy industry? - it wasn't particularly illuminating from an actual football point of view.
Roos has that mean streak like Grant Thomas, the pit of anger in his gut which he doesn't mind spitting. He'll call a spade a stupid bloody useless thing that can barely shift earth, and has been superseded long ago by more efficient earth-moving equipment.
Posted by: m0nty | 02/18/2011 at 01:03 PM
I laughed at the several times last year when Hird made some claim, Sheahan said the stats don't back that up, then Hird looked blank before waffling some non answer.
Posted by: Tony | 02/18/2011 at 01:28 PM
Cometti is brilliant. My archivist Magpie tragic mate, Schackie, called from New York after the second granny to be triumphantly reassured that Dennis had indeed called Heath Shaw as sneaking up on Nickie-la-la "like a librarian". Pure gold. And he does it every week.
Posted by: Slatts | 02/18/2011 at 04:30 PM
Dennis is famous for his one-lines (many of which are rehearsed and some have been part of a radio station competition) but people overlook his smooth calling, accuracy, clear voice and the simple fact that he actually knows the game. His shtick is superfluous.
Posted by: Tony | 02/18/2011 at 10:35 PM
Has Canada been relocated to the Indian sub continent?
Check out the names of Canadian cricketers on BBC Cricket, game played Wed 16th.
Posted by: vest | 02/19/2011 at 12:40 PM
Roos was OK tonight. Nothing spectacular. Just solid. Funny bit when he said "this game is over" with 9+ minutes left and Dwayne Russell replied "Well, we're supposed to talk it up."
Posted by: Tony | 02/19/2011 at 11:37 PM
Thank Christ you're talking footy again Teach. I've been marginalised in recent months by your music, fillum, etc posts, to which I have been unable to contribute.
Posted by: os | 02/21/2011 at 03:21 PM
The bottom post on the front page of the blog is dated 27 September last year, which, I suppose, says something about where I've been at since last footy season.
Posted by: Tony | 02/21/2011 at 06:37 PM
The Velvet Sledgehammer is a brilliant special comments dude. Don't see enough of him. Not even sure if he's in the stable this season. --> Lloyd.
Posted by: Big Ramifications | 02/22/2011 at 12:26 PM
Well, I’m not gay. I’m a normal well, I shouldn’t say I’m a normal bloke, because gay guys are no different. Nothing like that worries me. Anything that is said about me, or inferred about me like that, it never worries me. It doesn’t have an impact on me. It doesn’t change me in one way or another. It’s irrelevant.
Posted by: B. J. McAvaney | 02/22/2011 at 12:43 PM
Not protest much?
Posted by: Willy Shakespeare | 02/22/2011 at 12:47 PM
Try sayin' that when you're drunk.
Posted by: Bruise McRackwithyormainvaney | 02/22/2011 at 12:53 PM
Sizzle-bottom, Lloyd started out as a bit of a wood duck, but got a lot better as the year progressed.
And working with Cometti has done wonders for Bruce's commentary. Far less far less serious, far less excitable, but still a pro caller.
Posted by: Tony | 02/22/2011 at 10:09 PM
I specifically mean his astute in-game ramblings where he is describing a tactic that I am missing as a TV viewer, not to-camera pieces at the breaks.
How does anyone make them look good? "Blah blah Mick Malthouse said he wants more attack on the ball yada yada Rodney Eade wants everyone to be accountable yibbida yibbida."
Posted by: Big Ramifications | 02/23/2011 at 02:03 PM