ABC’s ‘ridiculous’ AFL TV blunder explained after fans left confused
The ABC has apologised after a massive blunder in its AFL coverage left footy fans in one state questioning everything.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The ABC has apologised after airing a package of AFL highlights from five years ago in a sports report that went to air in Hobart earlier this month.
Sports fans quickly noticed something was very wrong when the weekend roundup started rolling on the 7pm news, featuring an exciting match between Carlton and Melbourne.
Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
“While the Blues couldn’t get their hands on the ball, the Dees were eagerly notching up behinds,” the reporter stated over vision from the match.
“Despite having only one fit player on the bench in the final term Melbourne prevailed after the most dramatic of finishes.”
You can watch the package in the video above
The confusion was compounded as the reporter began recapping a clash between St Kilda and Melbourne, featuring Alan Richardson, who was sacked in 2019, in the coaches box.
“Everything seemed to be going North’s way. A seven-goal first quarter set the tone for the Kangaroos’ day out in Hobart,” the reporter stated over vision of the match.
The sports package wrapped up with no explanation of the blunder.
The bulletin should have instead been recapping Round 1 of the season, in which Melbourne defeated the Western Bulldogs 109-64 – and North Melbourne were demolished 121-82 by the GSW Giants.
The blunder was explained by the ABC’s Media Watch on Monday night, with The Shinboners Podcast credited with uncovering that ABC Hobart had accidentally played the highlights package from Round 16, 2019.
“How ridiculous is that? We’ll just show any tape. Look I’m hoping next week we might see the ’99 Grand Final,” Shinboner Podcast host Big Chief joked, referring to the year the Kangaroos last won the premiership.
ABC Tasmania apologised for the error the night after it went to air.
“We begin sport tonight with an apology for playing the wrong AFL story in last night’s news,” the ABC presenter said.
“We played an old story with an identical title which was accidentally included in our bulletin.”
More Coverage
Originally published as ABC’s ‘ridiculous’ AFL TV blunder explained after fans left confused
The reason Dusty won’t snare big Gold Coast payday
Gary Ablett Jr was paid stacks of AFL cash to head to the Gold Coast, but there’s a big reason Dusty wouldn’t should he decide to move, while Lance Franklin is considering a return to football.
How Hawks could snare defensive duo in trade coup
Is Hawthorn a destination club once again? It could well be after a scintillating two months of form, with the Hawks now the frontrunner for two mammoth defensive targets.