AFL fans take aim at Brian Taylor and Matthew Richardson

The AFL returned for the 2024 season and with it came one time honoured tradition for fans, taking aim at the commentary crew.

Commentators Matthew Richardson and Brian Taylor. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

We waited 160 days, but the footy is finally back.

And with it came the return of one thing almost every AFL fan on social media agrees on, the annoyance of the commentators.

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Brian Taylor has long drawn criticism from sections of football fans for his work behind the microphone and that trend continued on Thursday night.

While the action on the field garnered most of the attention from those watching on, fans couldn’t help but point out some of the remarks coming out of the commentary box.

When discussing the crowd of around 40,000 fans at the SCG, Taylor quipped: “That’s the biggest number they’ve had here for a while I reckon”.

One social media user quickly pointed out the crowd for last year’s round 24 contest between Sydney and Melbourne drew an attendance of 41,753.

But it wasn’t just Taylor who came under fire from fans with former Richmond star Matthew Richardson also copping criticism over one remark.

“Hopefully, it’s just a stinger.”

“What is a stinger?”

“Don’t know, I’ve just heard people say it.”

There is no sport I watch across the world that gets this type of commentary

— Marc McGowan 🗣✍️👨🏻‍💻📰 (@ByMarcMcGowan) March 7, 2024

Another user on X wrote: “Honestly, I was not mentally prepared to suffer through BT’s commentary again. It’s going to be a long season.”

A second added: “How anyone that has watched footy before can stand any of this commentary is beyond me. It gets worse every year.”

Of course not everyone who tuned in was hating what they were hearing with plenty of love being thrown behind the commentary crew.

unpopular opinion but i love it. would be boring if you have perfect presenters just talking facts at you all night. already watching what’s going on don’t need a full rundown the whole time aswell. time and place 🤷‍♂️

— KP7 (@setnregret) March 7, 2024

Taylor took centre stage after the final siren with the return of his Roaming Brian segment and while he didn’t dish up any instantly iconic moments, a Sydney player stole his thunder.

The moustached Taylor approached Brodie Grundy after his first game for the Swans with the ruckman delivering a masterclass performance.

“You liking this Brodes, it’s pretty mate?” Taylor asked.

Grundy responded: “Wow mate. I manifested this, I knew there was a potential for this to happen and, wowee.”

Roaming Brian returns for 2024

On the field it was the Swans who proved too good as they exploded in the final term to defeat Melbourne 86 (12.14) to 64 (9.10).

Grundy, a two-time All Australian and Best and Fairest with Collingwood in 2018 and 2019, showed glimpses of his best form as he played a leading role against former teammate Max Gawn.

After an evenly fought first half, Grundy unleashed in the third quarter with eight contested possessions as he took the upper hand in the match-up against Gawn.

It was a dominant performance against the AFL’s leading ruckman in Gawn, a six-time All Australian.

The Demons captain was targeted physically by Grundy and the Swans, limiting his impact.

Grundy received a healthy cheer from the Swans faithful as he made his way to the bench late in the final term once Sydney had the win in the bag.

Originally published as AFL fans take aim at Brian Taylor and Matthew Richardson