Channel Ten commentator Kelli Underwood must have known that taking a seat in the box on game day would cause a stir. As the first female to commentate an AFL game on television, she was likely to be scrutinised closely.
How objective that scrutiny may be is questionable. In a move as controversial as this, debate is always going to be heated and not without bias.
One look at the Channel Ten forums online shows an overwhelmingly negative response.
Underwood is labelled ‘boring,’ her voice like ‘nails on a chalk board.’ Some even go so far, even in this increasingly politically correct climate, to say that a woman doesn’t belong in the commentary box.
In the interests of being taken seriously, surely this is exactly the type of comment you would avoid.
Consider this: how objective can an opinion of her worth be when her status as the first female in her role in a man’s sport overshadows her actual ability?
Surely any comment made about Underwood is clouded to some extent by her gender, no matter how much you claim to be objective. Either the feminists laud her for her ground-breaking role because she is a woman, or men rubbish her because as a woman her knowledge of the sport will never be as sound as a man’s.
Or you err on the side of caution and follow your opinion with “but it’s not because she’s a woman, I just don’t like her voice, comments, style …”
Each commentator’s ability should be assessed on their knowledge of the game, their ability to perform live, the suitability of their voice for the task and that special X-factor that gives them an edge and makes them interesting to listen to. Personal preferences will no doubt differ on just which of the above criteria is most important.
On match day in my household, my football-literate father is frustrated with too many obvious statements, my mother can’t stand some commentators’ smarmy attempts at humour and my sister just wants the commentators to reel off the players’ names so she can tell who is who.
Unfortunately in Underwood’s case, her gender will interfere with opinions on her ability even from those with the best of intentions, and there is little she can do about it.
No one will ever agree on who makes a good commentator.
Each has their faults and strengths, and have been hired by a network because for the most part, their strengths outweigh their shortcomings, and not just for their gender, whether they are male or female.
One would hope.
Big V
Guest
The most annoying commentator of the game. Get rid of her!
Jamie K
Guest
She has the most annoying voice and uses other commentators calls seriously how can anyone stand her commentating. Know where your place is and that is not commentating afl football come on the ten network get rid of her.
Kal
Guest
I wish her luck. She will need it. Atleast she has outlasted Doug Mulray.
bob
Guest
kelli misses game turning points in games and contradicts herself too often, it is her inability to commentate not that she is a female to why she is so disliked.
Dean
Guest
The fact we are even talking about her, says it all. She is no good, very dull, I can't believe 10 are serving this crap up.
Wayne
Guest
She is a shocker, I'd rather watch the TV turned down with the radio turned up. It has nothing to do with Kelli being a female, she just cant commentate. Its the AFLs equality attempt, a female commentator for the sake of having a female commentator. Boring and painful to listen to.
glocko87
Guest
Grant, I think Buckley will prefer his job as Collingwood coach more than a media career. Just a guess though.
Grant
Guest
Hey Glocko, Although I enjoyed your article I kinda agree with Patons point. But not his delivery. You cant deny that football has changed over the last few decades and you certainly cant deny that the media would have contributed to it. To be honest, I didnt listen to Kelli Underwood so I wont pass too much judgement but female commentating sport has been done many times before and unfortunately, it usually fails. Can anyone remember Cathy Freemans attempt at being a sports commentator? No offence to the great Australian but as a commentator, she was a great athlete. I'd like to think I'm not a sexist pig but I probably hold some old fashion values. I have no doubt that if I did listen to the game, at some stage I would have said "Hang on love, what would you know, ever played the game". I am convinced many more footy watchers would do the same. Once again, being honest and referring to something else you wrote Glocko, I would prefer to see someone like Nathan Buckley (or any one of the recent retired greats) in the box, rather than Miss Underwood. What a great way to follow up a stellar career! I think to many football greats are too soon forgotten once they have hit their on field use by date. To branch off on a tangent to other peoples reply's, Dennis Commetti coached and played at state level. Murray Walker raced and had alot to do with motorcycles on the Isle of Man. I am relativley impartial to women in "mens" sport. Like anything, If they can do the job just as good, then good on them. Write on Glocko......
MK
Guest
Although as a female I would love to see more women commentating football, it is hard trying to get used to her voice. It reminds me of when they changed the Star Trek captain to a lady and although her voice was annoying to begin with I still watched the program but got through it and then in the end I was used to it and continued to watch the show. I think this will be the same...good luck!
Ian Jessup
Guest
I thought she did a very good job in only her third game as commentator. Geelong v Hawthorn was a cracker of a game and she coped well. My only issue is the high pitch of a female voice does not have the 'boom' or resonance of a male voice. Go back to Athens and listen to the call of the men's hockey team winning via a golden goal - Rochelle Hawkes sounded like a screeching cockatoo calling the excitment of Australia's winning moment. Spoiled a great moment. Kelli has obviously had some coaching here and is trying to lower her pitch. Good on her - she's miles better than Rex Hunt - or the MMM crew calling NRL on Monday nights.
glocko87
Guest
RedB I agree with you on that. I hope that she improves with time...if Ten stick with her after all the negative comments!
Redb
Roar Guru
Good topic Glocko87. We should her judge first and foremost as a commentator and IMO she is just OK. I'd make 3 points. 1. Overuse of cliches - be more original, add something. 2. Delayed commentary - she is 2-3 seconds behind the play, fine for radio not so TV. 3. The voice - it grates when she attempts to inject some grit into her commentary - don't do it. Redb
glocko87
Guest
Paton, If you really are an ex-football player then you aren't doing too much to better your sport's reputation, which is unfortunate.
Jack
Guest
Tom
Guest
Interesting that half of this post seems to have disappeared.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Tom Paton is Jacko - I've heard Jacko say similar things to Caro!!
Tom
Guest
I don't believe any of what you say about your past, Paton. For what its worth, if only those who'd played professional football were allowed to comment on it, there'd be no professional football.
Andystath
Guest
Tifosi-Stephanie Brantz isn't a good example,she did an excellent job doing the post game daily wrap up with Kerry O'Keefe.This is why she was mooted to being on the (TCN9)commentry team,under Eddie McGuire she was relegated to the ignominity of late night news. Paton-What a load of Bollocks!Please explain" probably more so the minority media" is that the indigenous news or an Italian born writer for say La Fiammia.Lets face it your a misogynist with a 1970s view of women in sport.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
oh no - don't tell me Jacko has joined the Roar!!!
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Martin Tyler is one of the best football commentators around, commentating has nothing to do with playing the game. In fact a lot of former players would make bad commentators and are best used as sideline men.