Footy fans call out Channel 7 over bias commentary during preliminary final

Footy fans have lost their cool on social media and have called out the AFL’s host broadcaster for favouring the Victorian based team.

Luke Darcy appeared to be more than a little bit fond of Carlton. Photo: Getty, Russell Freeman, Michael Wilson.

Brisbane took care of business on Saturday night after overcoming a blistering opening quarter from Carlton.

Outside of the absurd opening 20 minutes, the Lions completely controlled the contest over the next three quarters to book their place in the AFL Grand Final.

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But fans watching on from home were slamming the different narrative they were being fed compared to the actual contest that was unfolding at the Gabba.

Over the course of the two and a half quarters the Lions suffocated the Blues and made the contest seem like it was men against boys.

The Lions slammed home nine goals while the Blues only managed to score one in the space of 57 minutes.

Despite the one-sided dominance unfolding in front of a raucous Brisbane faithful, Seven’s commentary crew, led by Luke Darcy and Hamish McLachlan, were called out for continually hyping up the Blues.

Darcy particularly irked fans with his name trending on Twitter just behind the words “Gabba” and “Daicos”.

AFL fans weren’t too impressed with Channel 7’s commentators including Luke Darcy. Photo: Michael Klein

Titus O’Reilly wrote: “Channel Seven accidentally broadcasting the Blues Radio commentary.”

West Coast Eagles premiership player Will Schofield wrote: “I’m all for a bit of bias … but the call I’m watching on TV is desperate for a Carlton win. Genuinely sound disappointed when Brisbane do something good.”

So glad to see the commentators of a national competition openly barracking for the Victorian clubs.

Your job is to be impartial.

If you want to barrack, buy a ticket and sit in the stands.#AFLFinals#AFLLionsBlues

— Laurence Bradley (@LaurenceBradley) September 23, 2023

The Victorian bias in the AFL commentary is embarrassing

— Bandwagon B R E T T O (@Brettoshank) September 23, 2023

Luke Darcy.
"Carlton have been brave."

And have also kicked three goals in the last three quarters.#AFLLionsBlues

— Geoff Hutchison (@GeoffHutchison) September 23, 2023

Viewers also criticised Channel 7 for cutting its post-game coverage short to switch to other programming. Seven’s broadcast of the game was switched to 7mate in southern states, with the nightly news bulletin running from 8pm AEST because of the match.

It’s not the first time throughout the finals series the commentary crew has faced backlash from fans watching on for favouring one team.

In the first qualifying final between Collingwood and Melbourne, Brian Taylor was called out by footy fans over his biased Pies commentating.

Taylor played 97 games for the Magpies, booting 371 goals along the way, and has been put on notice in the past from those tuning in over his tendency to skew his commentary towards his old side.

Throughout the game, which the Pies won by seven points, fans were calling him out for it all over again.

One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Brian Taylor should not be allowed to call Collingwood games. So biased commentator it’s a joke”.

Another wrote after Dan McStay was collected by Melbourne’s Jacob van Rooyen: “BT’s commentary around this was dead set putrid”.

A third user wrote: “How to ruin watching football, listen to Brian Taylor call a Collingwood game”.

They’re onto you again Bristle. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The win for the Lions sets up a tantalising Grand Final showdown with Collingwood, making it the third time the two sides have squared off in the season decider — making them the first two teams to meet at three AFL Grand Finals.

Their previous two meetings came back in 2002 and 2003 when the Lions emerged victorious and claimed their historic three-point.

Collingwood will enter the Grand Final as the favourite according to betting markets with the Lions’ record at the MCG a glaring piece of evidence.

The Lions have lost 14 of their past 15 games at the home of football with their most recent outing coming against Melbourne in round 18.

Originally published as Footy fans call out Channel 7 over bias commentary during preliminary final