Righto, I’m going rogue with this review – format out the window and heart on my sleeve to get through this one. It might be a bit out there.
Well, well, well… I am not sure where you consumed this contest, but I had the pleasure (?) of viewing it on Fox Footy. You know, the home of AFL coverage – every game live and ad-free during play. That place.
It’s a good thing, right? I mean, all last year, people were banging on about how terrible Channel Seven coverage was, and this season, Fox would be providing their own commentary team to give us professionalism and more insight. It was bound to be a winner – they’re the footy channel, and they live and breathe the game!
Only, it wasn’t a winner. It was embarrassing for those charged with providing an unbiased call of the action.
Guys, many of you often point out to me the VicBias in the AFL media. I am based in Melbourne and I have to admit, I often find those calls a little over the top from some people. Some of you take every comment as a slight against a Non-Vic team, and I know it is a sore point… but it gets a bit old.
That said, I was sitting here in amazement during this game. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. You were bloody right! I was wrong – it was so apparent that I could not unhear it!
A masterclass? That’s what I was told I was seeing from Collingwood after they *checks notes* kicked three goals in a half of footy!
A three-goal masterclass to lead by eight points. Was I supposed to be impressed? Was I supposed to subscribe to the theory that this tactical lesson was the best we’ve seen from Craig McRae? His team couldn’t score, and they were producing some of the worst footy since the 2020 season. Remember that crapfest?
I’ve tried to forget.
I finally understand what you’re all talking about. This coverage and the overt barracking and cheerleading of Collingwood was an embarrassment, to the point I feel I have to start this review addressing it.
It’s not a shot at Collingwood – they were doing what they do. This is directed at those who are supposed to remain impartial. My ears were almost bleeding!
For three quarters, Anthony Hudson, Garry Lyon, and Jason Dunstall basically assumed the role of the cheer squad for Collingwood. Gerard Whatelely was there, as well, but he didn’t completely jump onboard, despite having a leg over the side of the boat on several occasions. Even when the Dockers had the lead in the third quarter, Lyon was immediately praising Collingwood for getting the game back on their terms – they were eight points down at the time!
For 90 minutes of footy, we were bashed over the head with what a clinic the Pies were putting on. This “clinic” had resulted in a game that had ten goals between the teams at that point, and just a four-point advantage to Collingwood.
A clinic, you say? I want to be about as close to this clinic as I do an STI clinic.
So yeah, Freo fans, I hear you.
I get it now.
I see and hear what you deal with, and frankly, I’m sorry. That was the most blatant example I’ve heard of VicBias in a commentary call, and it was utterly embarrassing from the commentary team that some believe is the best in the business.
They should be a heap better than that, and a quick rewatch of the first half as I wrote this review completely confirmed what I felt at the time. There were two teams out there in a very tight game.
But you only praised one.
A disgrace.
On with the review.
The remainder of this article is for our members. They support me, and I provide for them. It’s a good deal.
Oh… a Mongrel paywall… the worst of all paywalls. We’re all in on the 2026 AFL season. Player articles, stats, awards, game coverage. Dump the mainstream lip service and dive into articles like this – you will never look back. If you don’t want to, that’s fine. I consider it your loss as we get into the grind of the season, and you’re stuck with the stuff that’s frustrated you for years.
