We selected some All-Time Greats to compete with the best, now it’s your turn. Feel free to comment on our social media post when this is posted and goes live, as everyone get revved up about this!
Australian Rules football has always been more than just a game; it’s theatre, drama, and tribal passion—all of it brought to life not only by the players on the field, but by the voices that narrate it. The best commentators don’t just call the game—they elevate it. They stitch together its rhythms, translate its chaos, and deliver its emotion straight to the hearts of fans. They become as much a part of the moment as the goal itself. So if one were to build the greatest AFL commentary team of all time, the ultimate blend of knowledge, energy, voice, and storytelling—who makes the cut?
At the heart of any great commentary box is the lead caller, and no name towers over this role quite like Dennis Cometti. His voice is inseparable from some of the game’s most iconic moments. With a delivery that was smooth, almost jazz-like, and a wit as sharp as a scalpel, Cometti could switch from poetic observation to deadpan humour in an instant. He made the game sound elegant, even when it was brutal. His legendary one-liners became part of the sport’s folklore, yet his deep understanding of the game’s flow ensured he never became a caricature of himself. He was simply the best at what he did.
Beside Cometti, you need someone who can match the pace and emotion, and Bruce McAvaney does so not by shouting, but by caressing the game with reverence. There’s a certain reverence in Bruce’s voice—a gentle awe that makes even the routine feel special. He has always treated the sport with respect and joy, drawing fans in with his passion for the players, the stats, the stories. Whether he was marvelling at Cyril Rioli’s brilliance or leaning into a finals moment with a hushed excitement, Bruce understood the theatre of the sport. He never overplayed it; he simply let it breathe.
For colour, analysis, and that crucial ex-player insight, Leigh Matthews is indispensable. Not only is he one of the game’s greatest-ever players and coaches, but his commentary carried with it an understated authority. When Leigh spoke, fans listened—because he didn’t waste words. His style was grounded and pragmatic, but always insightful. He called things as they were, without spin, and had that rare ability to distill the game’s most complex moments into simple, relatable observations. He brought gravitas to every broadcast, but never made it about himself.
Balancing that, you want someone with fire and edge—a bit of theatre. Enter Brian Taylor. Often divisive, but never dull, “BT” has become the modern voice of football for a new generation. His passion is explosive and unfiltered, his energy contagious. When something extraordinary happens on the field, Taylor’s voice often matches it note for note. He plays the part of the excitable fan and the larger-than-life performer in equal measure. And while he’s sometimes over-the-top, that unpredictability has become a feature, not a flaw.
To tie it all together, you need a boundary rider who brings clarity and presence without intruding. Christi Malthouse, with her calm authority and genuine connection to the players, fits perfectly. She always knew when to speak and, more importantly, when to let the moment sit. Whether it was delivering injury updates or giving voice to the crowd’s mood, she added depth to the coverage in subtle but essential ways.
Together, this group forms a perfect team. Cometti and McAvaney anchoring the call with voice and poise, Matthews adding weight and insight, Taylor injecting pulse and energy, and Malthouse grounding the broadcast with immediacy and empathy. It’s a team that spans generations, styles, and strengths—reflecting everything that makes AFL football so rich.
In an era where commentary is increasingly scrutinised, this ultimate team reminds us what it’s all about: enhancing the game without overshadowing it, narrating it with feeling, and connecting with fans not just as broadcasters, but as fellow believers in the magic of footy.
