What do you think would improve the coverage?
On a couple of occasions over past seasons, the ABC have had some 'guest' special commentators including David King (a couple of years back) and more recently Kevin Sheedy. I would like the ABC to do this as a regular thing. I realise the costs might be prohibitive, but it does give the coverage a different perspective.
Thoughts?
Agree on the special commentators, a one off guest is insightful.
I don't expect a lot from the ABC cos I reckon they do a very good job from grounds without much infrastructure for TV coverage.
The half time highlights from the previous round last year was a great addition.
The only thing I'd like is a replay of the games they show into Tassie only! There are probably three or four of them a year, if your team is playing it's annoying to know there is ABC Tasmania coverage of the game. Surely they could give it to Fox Footy to replay that week.
The ABC do a terrific job despite their shoestring budget. I would like to see some competitions. The ABC have a very devoted and loyal following and I would guess that 80% of their watchers would watch every week without fail, why don't they give them something back?A few years ago you could win the football jumper of the club of your choice by answering a trivia question,something like this would do.They could fund it by using a 1900 phone number or something.Unique VFL guernseys are always popular but they could give away AFL tickets,autographed gear or a chance to sit in the coaches box.These are just some ideas I've come up with. The special guest commentator gives an outside perspective and perhaps might uncover a gem.Having Sheedy and Pagan in the commentary box was fantastic and made for great listening.Back when C7 did VFL games as well they quite often had an injured AFL player from the team that was playing and that gave an insight as to what his side was trying to do.I remember Jason Snell being excellent in the box not long after he broke his leg.
Some great ideas there..
How about an ABC TV Player of the year award? (Is there one now?) Each week they could update the leaderboard. Maybe viewers could email in their votes for it?
ABC TV games from Tasmania that arent shown in Melbourne, could be edited into a highlights package to be shown during half-time the following week. Ideally I would like to see the game replayed in full late night (after midnight) as they normally just show old movies during those hours. As long as they let us know during the TV game on Saturday afternoon, we will know when to set the VCR!
Have always enjoyed the ABC coverage, and I'm always surprised how many people who don't conciously follow VFL mention they saw the coverage.
A seasons preview in the hour before the first game of the season might be good. Also, during finals they have peviously shown highlights of previous GF's. Maybe at half time they could show footage of some past games and players, or maybe profile a club.
I should've said before that the ABC should give a little more focus on the reserves competition. A flash of the scores sometime during the first quarter of the seniors is all we get. How about showing the ladder/goalkickers. They did it for a short time when Dave Lennon was commentating but it quickly disappeared once he left. And one out of left field - how about they start Grand Final day at 11am and put the 2s on as well? Won't ever happen though, only a dream I reckon.
I'm not sure how they could work it into the coverage, but I would like to see them do a mini documentary on whats involved in playing or coaching in the VFL.
The amount of training for a VFL player who has a 9-to-5 job, as well as team meetings, preperation etc.
How AFL-listed players have balance training at an AFL club, and then fit in with his aligned club.
How the Coaching staff prepare or coach for a match.
I'm only talking about 5-10 minute pieces.
Bev's now working for the Seven Network so they won't cross to her anymore.
Wonder if she might bob up on the ABC again now 7 let her go.
I hope not. The half time break of highlights from the prior week is an excellent feature and should be retained, and a former VFA/VFL player/coach interview with Phil Cleary was far better than listening to some unknown cyclist or female netballer sitting an a garden somewhere during the middle of a footy coverage like they use to have with Bev.
And like I said before, how about some promotion of the ressies in the half time break? Wouldnt be a bad idea to give them a minute or two either.
I noticed that the new ABC 2 digital station had a replay of the WAFL match of the day late last night. It might suggest they'll do the same for the VFL matches.
Damn we I had noticed that one.. I recorded the AFL NT Final on Saturday, havent watched it yet... I have heard that it was actually the Final of the Islands up there, not the NT comp.
Hopefully this means ABC2 will be showing the VFL games played in Tasmania, not broadcast back into Victoria.