Journos clash over tweets slamming Brian Taylor commentary

Footy reporters have been caught in an ugly altercation after Channel 7 commentary star Brian Taylor was accused of bias.

Tom Browne went into bat for Brian Taylor. Photo: Channel 7

Journalists have reportedly clashed in the Carlton change rooms after the side’s Good Friday win over the Kangaroos.

Channel 7 reporter Tom Browne and The Age’s Marc McGowan are unlikely to be exchanging Christmas cards this year after the pair were caught in an ugly exchange.

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The issue appeared to be McGowan’s tweets which took aim at Seven commentator Brian Taylor’s call of the previous evening’s Brisbane Lions win over the Collingwood Magpies.

Although the Magpies have made themselves kings of the late comeback, the side was completely outplayed by the Lions, who led from midway through the second quarter and romped to a 33-point win.

Despite the comprehensive win however, Taylor, a former Richmond and Collingwood forward himself, was slammed as he was accused of one sided commentary.

The Lions at one point led by a game-high 38 points — but Taylor’s commentary suggested the Magpies were breathing down the Lions’ necks.

Taylor has regularly been accused of bias towards Collingwood, a club in which he played 97 games.

McGowan tweeted: “That Rayner goal certainly puts a dampener on the commentary team’s attempts to convince us the Magpies are still a chance tonight.

“Can’t we just watch the game without BT telling us every second minute how close Collingwood is to getting back into this.

“Now they’re doing a survey among them all to decide whether Collingwood believes they can still win.”

Tom Browne went into bat for Brian Taylor. Photo: Channel 7

McGowan was far from being the only person to criticise the call but Browne appeared to reserve his ire for The Age reporter.

The Herald Sun reported Browne, who is the son of Collingwood president Jeff, approached McGowan and called him a “bogan” and “idiot” as well as “who are you?”.

McGowan didn’t take it lying down however, calling Browne a “fool” before the pair went their own ways.

It’s hard not to understand where McGowan was coming from.

Taylor’s second half commentary, included telling the audience: “It’s a 38-point margin now, but kick the next two before three quarter time, Collingwood, that’s all they have to do.

“It’s not a big target to be back in the game.”

He went on to say after a Collingwood goal: “A good result for Collingwood. An excellent result would be two more. If they got one it is enough to get into the twenties and send a bit of a shiver up the spine of the Lions.”