October
MayQuiet achievers
As an AFL fan, I prefer the commentators who do their homework, get the players’ names right and call the football with the minimum of fuss.
For reasons known only to the broadcasters, these callers tend to be shunted off to low-profile “off-Broadway” games usually involving the Gold Coast Suns.
I’m thinking in particular of Adam Papalia (who you’ve probably never heard of), Brenton Speed (who you may have heard of — as a soccer commentator) and Jason Bennett.
At the other end of the spectrum we have Brian Taylor with his “bana-na-nas” and Dwayne Russell with his incongruous and inappropriate use of terms from other sports such as “shake and bake”.
Puns, catchphrases and “trademark” expressions — designed to place the caller at centre stage rather than the game — are all very well if you’re good at them (Denis Cometti) but not so much if you’re not (Brian Taylor, Dwayne Russell, James Brayshaw).
Victorian racing is blessed to have a rigidly accurate, no-frills caller leading the way in Matt Hill.
Among Matt’s understudies, I as a punter prefer those who adopt a similar style (and there are several).
I’m not interested in catchphrases, sponsor namechecks or who was the keynote speaker at the local footy/netty club the night before.
I’d rather hear about (just for example) which leading chance lost the rider a lap and a half ago.
Castlemaine (Vic)