‘Disrespectful': Footy commentary war between Seven, Foxtel gets personal
Foxtel must have known that screening a cheeky pre-season ad poking fun at Seven's chief AFL caller Brian Taylor was going to come back to bite them.
The pay TV outlet's commercial showed a BT lookalike stuck outside a pub, banging on the front door in frustration because he couldn't get inside on a Saturday afternoon to watch the footy on Fox. One Seven insider called it 'disrespectful'.
It was an early salvo in footy's escalating broadcast wars – a chest-beating declaration that Foxtel had been granted exclusive rights, under the AFL's new mega TV rights deal, to show all Saturday games in Victoria.
Last Sunday, BT pounced on a chance to return fire.
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He was given the opening by Foxtel management who chose to have its three-man commentary team – Anthony Hudson, Dermott Brereton and Brad Johnson – call the Melbourne-Sydney clash from its South Melbourne studio rather than send them to the MCG.
'It is just interesting in this magnificent arena on a Sunday afternoon, a beautiful day, that you come here, and it's magnificent to be here and look across to the box next door of our opposition, and none of them are here today,' BT said from the MCG during Seven's coverage of the game.
'They haven't come from the two-kilometre trek from South Melbourne.'
Seven's sport and marketing team seized on the moment by taking out a full-page ad in Tuesday's Herald Sun, saying 'We Turn Up'.
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ABC News
31 minutes ago
- ABC News
Super Netball Round-Up: Giants sign 40-year-old 'fossil' as injury replacement and is the Diamonds shooting circle in trouble?
Round eight is complete and we're over the halfway hump of the Super Netball season. The Sunshine Coast Lightning held on against the Melbourne Mavericks, 67-60, to move up a spot and claim third place. The undefeated NSW Swifts were challenged by defending premiers the Adelaide Thunderbirds in a see-sawing affair, 66-64. The lead changed six times and Romelda Aiken-George hit a 9,000-career goal milestone before the Swifts claimed their eighth straight victory. That run equals the club's best winning streak of the Super Netball era. The Giants put up an entertaining fight against the Melbourne Vixens after a big week of headlines. But a shock signing that attracted worldwide attention couldn't help them shift off the bottom of the ladder and they faded in the final quarter, 71-61. Lastly, the West Coast Fever handed the Queensland Firebirds a sixth straight defeat, 82-65. The 17-goal blowout took place in front of the Fever's second-biggest crowd in club history (11,427). If you missed it, don't worry — we'll get you up to speed with our Super Netball Round-Up. On Tuesday, the sad news broke that Jamaican defender Jodi Ann Ward had been ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Ward had surgery and will now need to nail her rehab if she has any chance of representing her country at next year's Commonwealth Games. Then came the temporary replacement signing of Casey Kopua on Friday that sent the netball world into a frenzy. It would be her first elite netball game in six years, during which she has been keeping fit by teaching F45 classes and playing socially. Kopua was affectionately dubbed by New Zealand as one of 'the fossils' that won the Netball World Cup in 2019, alongside veterans Laura Langman and Maria Folau. The Silver Ferns had flown under the radar throughout that major tournament until the finals, where new head coach Noeline Taurua's mastermind tactics and fitness standards guided them to upsets against England and Australia. Kopua had previously retired from international netball in 2017 but came back to have one more crack at the trophy that had alluded her three times before. She was named as the MVP of the gold medal match before retiring once again — this time from all forms of netball. To say this Super Netball signing was left field would be a massive understatement and speaks to her relationship with Julie Fitzgerald, who previously coached Kopua at the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic before moving home to Australia to become the inaugural Giants coach. Kopua answered the SOS call from Fitzgerald on Tuesday, left her three kids behind to jump on a plane on Wednesday, and joined the Giants for her first training session on Thursday. By Sunday she was making her Super Netball debut, 18 days shy of her 40th birthday. Although it came out of the blew, Kopua was keen. "This certainly was not on my bingo card for 2025, I loved every minute," she said. "The first text from Julie was, 'Want to make a comeback?' and I was like, 'Huh, are you serious, how would that work?' "There were about six or seven texts from me in a row before she answered." Kopua was initially brought over as a one-off, but discussions are now underway to sign her on a longer contract as the Giants try to avoid finishing with a consecutive wooden spoon. There was so much hype generated for this appearance that the Giants recorded their second-best crowd attendance at Ken Rosewall Arena so far this season (3,076) behind the NSW derby. So how did she do on court? For starters, Kopua played a full match at goal keeper. That's impressive. She got a reasonable amount of hand to ball (three deflections, one rebound) and the presence of a legend was enough to put off the Vixens shooters — who only found out they would be facing Kopua after they'd finished their weekly prep. Is she going to be the difference between winning games and losing them? That's debatable. But the Giants have made it clear that the stalwart is more so here to bring her leadership qualities and play a supporting role to 21-year-old Erin O'Brien than anything else. In that goal, Kopua succeeded. Offering advice and structure to the Giants at the back in defence while O'Brien picked off a game-high seven gains. Now that we've entered the back half of the season, it's time to do a temperature check on how our Diamonds players are tracking as they vie for national contracts. England announced its 2025/26 list last week, but Australia has delayed theirs in order to allow players more time to prove themselves in a year where there is no major tournament. It seems they need it, because running our eyes over last year's national squad brings up concerns for the shooting circle. For one, there are less Australian shooters occupying starting positions in our domestic competition, giving the selectors a smaller pool of talent to pick from. Only the Lightning, Vixens and Giants operate moving circles that hinge on homegrown talent. The rest of the five teams centre their game plans around a tall holding import under the post. It's no coincidence that each of these targets are the league's top five leading goal scorers. Three of these five teams also have an import signed as their main goal attack. Secondly, there has been some dicey form on show. It's most obvious at the Vixens, where Diamonds duo Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin have struggled to connect in the same fashion they did to reach the 2024 Super Netball grand final. Garbin missed eight attempts at goal on Sunday and the majority of those were under the post (43/51). She was also pulled up five times for offensive contact and both players are in the top five for turnovers this season. To be fair to Austin, most of the ball she has lost has been whilst trying to feed Garbin. Sophie Dwyer is another that has a really high turnover count and her confidence has taken a hit the past two seasons as the Giants trail the competition. Georgie Horjus made her international debut last year as a genuine wing attack and goal attack swing, but has spent less time in goals this season for the Thunderbirds; instead focusing on the midcourt. Cara Koenen started the season slow and was under an injury cloud ahead of round six when she was spotted at the airport in a moon boot. She watched the entire game from the sideline, then in round seven came off the bench to play for 30 minutes. In round eight, Koenen took back her starting spot in the Lightning's line-up and managed 56 minutes. Maybe that injury cloud has now lifted? Then there's Donnell Wallam, who left to play in the New Zealand Premiership and is still eligible for selection. However, she hurt her wrist two weeks ago and missed round four. The Northern Mystics are yet to provide an update. Lastly, Diamonds invitee Lucy Austin has been demoted to the Super Netball Reserves. So, do the selectors stick with these players and hope to rebuild their confidence in camp? Or do they look to reward form and blood some new faces like 23-year-old impact player Reilley Batcheldor, a consistent force in the super shot period for the Lightning? A couple of weeks ago we mentioned the Australian set-up was hopeful Gretel Bueta might return to the game after having her third child. If she was to come back would that sort out the uncertainty for the Diamonds shooting circle? More will become clear in the final six rounds of the regular season.
The Australian
an hour ago
- The Australian
Football: Joe Montemurro to coach Matildas
New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro is confident he has enough time to turn Australia into a team capable of winning next year's AFC Women's Asian Cup and is optimistic that injured stars Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler can play prominent roles. After a drawn-out process, Football Australia on Monday finally confirmed Montemurro's appointment, leaving him nine months to find a way to turn the Matildas from a team that fails to live up its surrounding hype into an outfit capable of winning a major tournament. The 54-year-old Melbourne-born mentor – whose previous jobs included title-winning stints as coach of the women's teams of Arsenal, Juventus and most recently Lyon – replaces interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni, whose final game in charge will be Australia's clash with Argentina in Canberra on Monday night. Sermanni was appointed interim boss in September last year soon after the departure of Tony Gustavsson following the Matildas' poor Olympic Games campaign. Joe Montemurro has been named as the Matildas' new coach. Picture:Football Australia interim chief executive Heather Garriock defended her organisation for the length of time it took with its 'global search' to find a full-time replacement for Gustavsson. 'These processes take time, in this case, a little bit more time than we expected,' Garriock said. 'From the very start, Football Australia has been committed to finding the right coach and not the first coach. 'There were many considerations and many moving parts, and I'm glad we have finally got our man, the right man, who will take this team to the next level, I am sure.' Montemurro said being appointed Matildas coach – at least until the 2028 Olympics – was the 'honour of a lifetime', but leaving French outfit Lyon, one of the world's most prominent clubs in women's football, after just one season was 'difficult'. 'Lyon's an amazing club. I had an amazing season there, and obviously the situation was to continue the process, but I assessed a few things,' he said. 'I said to myself, and my wife and family, that this is now an exciting cycle for the Matildas, (with) the Asian Cup, (the 2027) World Cup, (the 2028) Olympic Games, and the opportunity was too good, plus there was something inside of me that was just telling me 'it's time'. 'I had to make a hard decision, a very difficult decision, but I believe the decision is the right one. 'This team means so much to so many Australians, and I'm humbled by the opportunity to help shape its next chapter.' Montemurro, who was scheduled to meet the team in Canberra on Monday afternoon, praised Sermanni for the head start he had given him in getting the Matildas – who haven't won a major tournament since 2010 – ready for the Women's Asian Cup, which starts in March next year in Australia. 'Tom's been able to build a process, give some opportunities to some players, stabilise the situation, and then from there we can bring it forward,' he said. 'It's all set up for me to take over with the staff and bring it to the next level. Is the Asian Cup winnable? Of course it is.' Tom Sermanni's stint as Matildas interim coach will end on Monday night in Canberra following Montemurro's appointment. Picture:And 'winnable' with a squad containing star Chelsea striker Kerr, who hasn't played since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee in January last year, and key playmaker Fowler, who suffered a similar injury in April playing for her club, Manchester City. Montemurro said he would 'map out a process' with Kerr that would include a 'profile' of her 'physical' and 'mental' recovery. 'You can get fit, you can get things right tactically, but then some players go through processes where, you (ask) 'are they mentally prepared for the tournament'?' he said. 'Sam fits into that scenario where we're going to assess and monitor and see where she's at. 'Let's get her fit and right, and then we'll have those discussions from there.' He said Fowler was a 'special player' who was in the 'best environment' at Manchester City to make a full recovery in time for the Women's Asian Cup. 'Hopefully, she'll be right (for the tournament),' Montemurro said. Read related topics: FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Marco Monteverde Sports reporter Marco Monteverde is a Brisbane-based sports reporter for NCA Newswire. He worked in a similar role for The Courier-Mail from 2007 to 2020. During a journalism career of more than 25 years, he has also worked for The Queensland Times, The Sunshine Coast Daily, The Fraser Coast Chronicle and The North West Star. He has covered three FIFA World Cups and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as a host of other major sporting events in Australia and around the world. @marcothejourno Marco Monteverde
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Port star considers more heart surgery at season's end
Port Adelaide's Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines is considering more heart surgery at the end of the AFL season. Wines suffers from a heart irregularity which sometimes causes palpitations, leading him to be substituted out of three games in the past four seasons. The 30-year-old admits frustration at the condition arising most recently - and forcing his substitution - from Port's away win against Sydney on April 20. That episode followed heart surgery last December in a bid to correct the issue. "I had a procedure back in December and there was one per cent likeliness that it wouldn't work," Wines told reporters on Monday. "And unfortunately, I'm in the one per cent that it hasn't worked. "So we've gone back to a bit of an intervention plan that we had the previous two years to manage it up to that operation and that is working well so far. "We will reassess at the end of the season to see if we do it again and try a surgical operation." But Wines remained pragmatic about his heart issue. "It was frustrating (to be subbed out against Sydney)," he said. "But, look, at the end of the day, luckily for me it's not life threatening. "And it's something that cost me a game of footy, enough to get subbed out of a game of footy. "So I'm in a really fortunate position. I've got the best cardiologists and doctors around me at the footy club and they've talked me through everything. "So at the moment, it's just this plan that has previously worked. "I've never had an episode when we're using this intervention and once the season ends, we'll assess if I need a procedure again." Wines and his teammates have returned to training after a mid-season bye which came with the Power languishing in 15th spot with four wins and seven losses ahead of meeting GWS in Canberra on Saturday night. Some pundits have blamed Port's fall on the coaching succession plan - head coach Ken Hinkley will step down at season's end and be replaced by long-time assistant Josh Carr. But Wines said from the February announcement of the handover "nothing has changed". "Ken's our coach, he will be for the rest of the year," he said. "And I know he's got a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the job and we'll be there for him.. "Despite not winning a premiership, I think we've always been up there and we've played a lot of finals. "Ken's done a lot for me personally as a footballer and off the field so I'm always going to play for him." Port Adelaide's Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines is considering more heart surgery at the end of the AFL season. Wines suffers from a heart irregularity which sometimes causes palpitations, leading him to be substituted out of three games in the past four seasons. The 30-year-old admits frustration at the condition arising most recently - and forcing his substitution - from Port's away win against Sydney on April 20. That episode followed heart surgery last December in a bid to correct the issue. "I had a procedure back in December and there was one per cent likeliness that it wouldn't work," Wines told reporters on Monday. "And unfortunately, I'm in the one per cent that it hasn't worked. "So we've gone back to a bit of an intervention plan that we had the previous two years to manage it up to that operation and that is working well so far. "We will reassess at the end of the season to see if we do it again and try a surgical operation." But Wines remained pragmatic about his heart issue. "It was frustrating (to be subbed out against Sydney)," he said. "But, look, at the end of the day, luckily for me it's not life threatening. "And it's something that cost me a game of footy, enough to get subbed out of a game of footy. "So I'm in a really fortunate position. I've got the best cardiologists and doctors around me at the footy club and they've talked me through everything. "So at the moment, it's just this plan that has previously worked. "I've never had an episode when we're using this intervention and once the season ends, we'll assess if I need a procedure again." Wines and his teammates have returned to training after a mid-season bye which came with the Power languishing in 15th spot with four wins and seven losses ahead of meeting GWS in Canberra on Saturday night. Some pundits have blamed Port's fall on the coaching succession plan - head coach Ken Hinkley will step down at season's end and be replaced by long-time assistant Josh Carr. But Wines said from the February announcement of the handover "nothing has changed". "Ken's our coach, he will be for the rest of the year," he said. "And I know he's got a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the job and we'll be there for him.. "Despite not winning a premiership, I think we've always been up there and we've played a lot of finals. "Ken's done a lot for me personally as a footballer and off the field so I'm always going to play for him." Port Adelaide's Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines is considering more heart surgery at the end of the AFL season. Wines suffers from a heart irregularity which sometimes causes palpitations, leading him to be substituted out of three games in the past four seasons. The 30-year-old admits frustration at the condition arising most recently - and forcing his substitution - from Port's away win against Sydney on April 20. That episode followed heart surgery last December in a bid to correct the issue. "I had a procedure back in December and there was one per cent likeliness that it wouldn't work," Wines told reporters on Monday. "And unfortunately, I'm in the one per cent that it hasn't worked. "So we've gone back to a bit of an intervention plan that we had the previous two years to manage it up to that operation and that is working well so far. "We will reassess at the end of the season to see if we do it again and try a surgical operation." But Wines remained pragmatic about his heart issue. "It was frustrating (to be subbed out against Sydney)," he said. "But, look, at the end of the day, luckily for me it's not life threatening. "And it's something that cost me a game of footy, enough to get subbed out of a game of footy. "So I'm in a really fortunate position. I've got the best cardiologists and doctors around me at the footy club and they've talked me through everything. "So at the moment, it's just this plan that has previously worked. "I've never had an episode when we're using this intervention and once the season ends, we'll assess if I need a procedure again." Wines and his teammates have returned to training after a mid-season bye which came with the Power languishing in 15th spot with four wins and seven losses ahead of meeting GWS in Canberra on Saturday night. Some pundits have blamed Port's fall on the coaching succession plan - head coach Ken Hinkley will step down at season's end and be replaced by long-time assistant Josh Carr. But Wines said from the February announcement of the handover "nothing has changed". "Ken's our coach, he will be for the rest of the year," he said. "And I know he's got a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the job and we'll be there for him.. "Despite not winning a premiership, I think we've always been up there and we've played a lot of finals. "Ken's done a lot for me personally as a footballer and off the field so I'm always going to play for him."
