Footy world slams Channel 7 over ‘biased’ commentary during AFL preliminary final: ‘Your job is to be impartial’

The Brisbane Lions are through to the AFL grand final for the first time in 19 years after a 16-point win over Carlton in their preliminary final at the Gabba on Saturday.

Carlton had scored the first five goals at the Gabba, with the hosts dominating from the central jump and fortunate not to fall further behind, if not because of stoic defending.

But the Blues scored just one goal in the next two quarters as Brisbane eventually won by 16 points (11.13 (79) to 9.9 (63)) and booked a grand final berth against Collingwood.

However, many football fans watching the match on TV believe that the AFL’s host broadcaster’s commentary team was telling a different story to what actually happened on the field.

Fans mainly called out Channel 7 commentators Luke Darcy and Hamish McLachlan for favoring the Blues during the match.

Luke Darcy’s commentary during the match was so bothersome to some fans that his name trended on Twitter

“I’m for a bit of bias… but the call I see on TV is desperate for a win for Carlton. I sound really disappointed when Brisbane does something good,” former footy star Will Schofield wrote on Twitter.

“Channel Seven accidentally broadcasts the Blues Radio commentary,” wrote sports journalist Titus O’Rielly.

“I’m so pleased to see the commentators of a national competition openly representing the Victorian clubs. Your job is to be impartial. If you want to barrack, buy a ticket and sit in the stands,” said one footy fan.

Darcy’s comments were so bothersome to some fans that his name trended on Twitter during the meeting.

It is Brisbane’s first grand final in 19 years and the first under Fagan, who shot them from the wooden spoon in 2017 to second place in 2019, where they have remained ever since.

A dominant force during the regular season, especially on home turf, the Lions’ finals form has been a persistent concern.

But they have now won four of their last five finals matches.

And after finding a way back against Carlton, Chris Fagan is confident they can handle the heat at the MCG, where they beat Melbourne in a semi-final last season but have lost 13 straight regular season games.

“We’ve worked really hard after all the times we didn’t play the way we wanted to in some big games and it’s just kept building up,” Fagan said.

“We’ve never really shied away from it.

“I know I stand up for my boys like crazy sometimes, but internally we have always dealt with our problems and weaknesses.

“It all came together because we weren’t in a good spot for fifteen minutes.”

Fagan enjoyed a glass of wine with his family after the match before switching focus to the minor premiers, who defeated the Lions in both regular league games this season.

Unless Jack Gunston is recalled, Josh Dunkley (Bulldogs, 2016) will be the only premiership player in the Brisbane squad.

Fagan found out this week that he had coached 44 finals games and part of four premierships with Hawthorn.

Coach Chris Fagan is confident his side will take care of business at the MCG

“There’s a lot of different things happening,” he said of the big final week.

“You just have to embrace them and enjoy them, and you understand that it won’t be normal. (I’ll try to) just bring calmness everywhere.”

Fagan has already started recruiting some additional support, hoping that any neutral parties will join in.

“The audience at the grand final is a different audience to the normal audience,” he said.

‘Many people with different loyalties. What I hope is that those who don’t go to Collingwood will get on the Lions bandwagon and barrack for us.”