This came up in another thread when the point was made that older commentators have been out of the game too long to be worth listening to. In particular Leigh Matthews was mentioned as being out of touch. I disagree.

So I'm going to put my preferences on the line and explain why ... feel free to do the same or rubbish them as you prefer. None of my favourites are "current". The few current ones who write, like Malthouse and recently Akermanis always seemed to me to mostly be pushing their own agendas.

Gerald Whately -- always seems fair minded and reasonable to me. Good caller too.

Leigh Matthews -- very objective and always seems to provide an interesting, emotion-free viewpoint. I still enjoy some of his historical insights too.

Robert Walls -- don't know why ... probably some sort of subconscious Carlton thing.

David Parkin -- another person I find presents as being a very reasonable person. He may not have coached for awhile, but he is still consulted a lot by people in football.

Caroline Wilson -- seemingly an unpopular choice but I reckon she's the best "breaking news" football journo by some margin. She attacks the AFL's policies and politics a lot too, and few do.

IMO AFL 360 is above all the other AFL programs out there. I enjoy Gerard and Robbo together as they don't often agree, which provides two sides to every topic. When they bring in Kingy for his analysis, he is usually on the money.

I secretly enjoy the Carlton bias of Mclure, even though i find him more off the mark than the others.

I can't stand Caro. However, i agree with you in regards to her being the best news breaker in the country.

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"He was found guilty in June 2008 of assault with intent to cause bodily harm, an offence which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years jail."
And people are making his return to footy somewhat of a fairytale?

ok..for the purposes of this thread...
it is actually Gerard Whately guys. (edited as I originally had Jared )

if you call him Gerald...he might get mixed up with Gerard Healy..and then their may be bickering about the wrong person.

I like Jared, and more so since seeing him on 360.
I also like Wallsey.
I like BT as a commentator..don't throw things but have warmed a bit to Lloydy..I like his lack of guile..but I don't like him if we play Carlton.
I like Robbo, but don't always agree with him,
and I like Huddo calling...and sometimes....sometimes I like Tom HarTley.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

Ummmmmmmmmm NO

it's Gerard.

But i wouldn't expect a woman to know EVERYTHING in football

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"He was found guilty in June 2008 of assault with intent to cause bodily harm, an offence which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years jail."
And people are making his return to footy somewhat of a fairytale?

I think BG72 is morphing Gerard Whately into Jarrad Waite

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"I had to eat"

WHOOSH

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STURDYISM!!

Opps...so it is!!
That'll teach me to be a clever clogs !
I'll edit my original now.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

Whately is my favourite as well; he presents his arguments/views in a reasonable manner and doesn't ever ridicule others opinions. I usually agree with what he has to say. Love Huddo as well!

I'll start with the past callers (and I am a footy on the radio lover)

1. Dick Mason - wonderful - called the '68 GF and I was hooked ever after
2. Graeme "Smokey" Dawson - loved his enthusiasm
3. Tim Lane - CFC - enough said
Current
Dennis C. - "cm perfect"
Drew Morphett
Although he was an idiot - Rexy added a bit of fun to the call.

Special Comments
Parko
Doug Bigelow
Matthews
Stan Alves
Walls

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"our electorate seeks less to be informed and more to be validated." Sad times.

Bwwwwwwwwwuuuuuuuuuuccccccccceeeee!

DELICIOUSSSSSSSSSSS!

Oh yeah - Stan Alves - I forgot about him. He's good.

I like the rapport between Whately and Maclure - can be very funny.

I'll you tell who I don't like : Mr "Oh he's such a wonderful person" Maxwell getting his flowering head on the screen during a Carlton game. If ever I'm going to yell at the TV ... get that sh*thead off!! We see quite enough of the Filth when they're playing without having him sprout the Collingwood "we respect the opposition" crap at our games - and that's all he does too.

Next thing they'll have the Collingwood president calling games.

Surprised there's not much mention of Dangerous Den Commetti here. Really understands the game and is genuinely descriptive with his comments. You really know when you're wathcing a good game too because he lets you know. WA bias can grate and not the biggest Carlton fan I feel....

I think Whately is the best in the land at the moment. Has replaced Lane as the best 'everyman' commentator who didn't actually play AFL. Lane just not the same since he quit the ABC and cricket commentary (split up with his wife too?). Maybe getting a bit long in the tooth? Love his Blue blood though. Lethal Leigh is a walking Premieship and I reckon he's spot on with his assessments. DP still great in my opinion.

Lloyd's bias is a disgrace and Morphett needs to be put down. Walls pretty average even when talking about the Blues - he just bangs on about stuff I already know and in an embarrassing way.

"we" being Essenscum bluegirl. You had us fooled for so long

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T E A M

Morphett has been every network/radio's go to guy when there is no one else left for 30 years.

the Peter Luck of sports commentary. Can't stand him.

Jared Wattley is good. Like him.

Robert Walls? Changes his mind more than his underwear.

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Congratulations CK95

In no particular order:
Matthews
Cometti
Whately
Brereton
Lloyd
Blight
Wilson
Baum
Connolly
Crawford
All of the above will provide an insight into the game, and usually in a thoughtful and balanced way. Can't believe the improvement in Lloyd as a bloke since he retired from Essendon*!

Caroline Wilson's knowledge of football is embarassingly bad.
She does spread a lot of gossip, some of which turns out to be true. She is a pawn for people's agandas.
When they have an axe to grind or rumour to spread they use her.

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T E A M

Last year Lloyd was over in Adelaide covering a game on the Saturday. I was in line for a nightclub that night when who should try and sneak to the front, Mr Lloyd himself. I jumped out of the que to drunkenly give him the speech of being a carlton supporter and passionately hating Essendon*.

He actually isnt that bad of a bloke after talking to him, and him knowing full well that i was a one eyed blue.

He had the time of day (well actually night) to speak to me for a good 5 minutes regarding footy. He also gave me the early mail on Knights getting the boot for Hird (not that i cared, and probably because he can't stand Knights).

All in all, as much as I loathed him on the field, he's not a bad bloke.

That says saying something, because everytime we played the Scum, i wanted someone to punch his lights out.

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"He was found guilty in June 2008 of assault with intent to cause bodily harm, an offence which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years jail."
And people are making his return to footy somewhat of a fairytale?

This I dont bother with most but remember Alves being okay. Cornflakes gets a gig just for his hatred of Demitriuouuoooo and his crap umpires

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yep..my brain is letting medown today buzzaaah....too many chemicals I'm afraid!
anyhoo..what i meant which I know you know.... i don't like him when Carlton are playing and he is commentating.
Forgot to say I love, love, love Sellars. He makes me laugh...and usually has some insight too. I know some here think he changes his mind a lot..maybe he does..but..circumstances also change from week to week in footy.

Really can't stand the St. Kilda boys they get on for 'Game Day'...nor Nick Maxwell..but really I just don't like current players offering advice and commentary about my team!
Do like Tim Watson too..Buzzz...ooohh....keep you guessing.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

Doug Heywood
Mike Williamson
Bill Jacobs
Smokey Dawson
Bruce McAveney (circa 1990's-2000)