Footy fans slam Channel Seven over broadcaster’s new gimmick in Carlton versus Richmond thriller
- The ‘Ultra Zoom’ vision was a turn-off for many AFL fans
- The close-up view of Josh Gibcus’ knee injury angered many
- Tigers defender Gibcus has probably torn his cruciate ligament
Footy fans are in uproar over Channel Seven’s use of a digital on-field gimmick which was seen on television screens during Thursday night’s Richmond versus Carlton thriller at the MCG.
Tigers defender Josh Gibcus, 20, appeared to have suffered a serious knee injury – and the broadcaster felt it was the perfect time to introduce his new ‘ultra zoom’ vision.
The resulting images showed the exact moment Gibcus most likely tore his anterior cruciate ligament.
An MRI scan will determine the severity of Gibcus’ injury, but Richmond football boss Tim Livingstone said the club is preparing for a grim diagnosis.
‘It’s a suspected cruciate ligament. We’ll get an MRI (scan), but the poor kid deserves a break,” he said.
Footy fans are up in arms over Channel Seven’s use of an on-field gimmick that was seen on television screens during the Richmond versus Carlton thriller at the MCG (pictured, Tigers defender Josh Gibcus)
Gibcus appeared to have suffered a serious knee injury, but that didn’t stop Seven using its new ‘Ultra Zoom’ to highlight the horrific moment for the 20-year-old
“He’s been fighting all year with his head held high and he’s praying about it, but right now it doesn’t look good.”
Gibcus also sat out the entire 2023 AFL season due to a hamstring complaint.
When it came to Channel Seven’s new-age coverage, AFL supporters were quick to post their displeasure online.
‘Why on earth do you have to ultra-zoom that? Seriously have some respect.” one fan furious with X.
Another stated: ‘This should not have been broadcast and this should not have been posted online.”
A third asked: ‘Why are you showing an ultra zoom of a kid doing his knee? Whoever decided to do this should be fired.”
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Richmond coach Adem Yze described Gibcus’ likely season-ending injury as ‘heartbreaking’.
“It doesn’t look great right now,” he said.
‘We touch as much wood as possible so we can get lucky with it. But if it is what we think it is, or could be, that would obviously be heartbreaking.
“Not just the season he had last year, but just the type of player and the type of character he is. I feel for him, so we put our arms around him.”
On the pitch, ‘Cardiac Carlton’ roared home again in the fourth quarter to record their sixth win on the trot by less than a goal, leading by five points.