Footy history in the making

[Dogwatcher]

CHANNEL 10's Kelli Underwood will create history as the first woman to call Australian Rules football on TV.

Underwood, 31, will join broadcasting great Tim Lane to call the Adelaide v Geelong NAB Cup match on February 21.

She and fellow reporter Rob Waters will call a match each during the pre-season competition.

Ten's head of football David Barham said Underwood had earned the opportunity on merit.

"It is well deserved," Mr Barham said.

"We've got a 24-hour sports channel starting so we need more callers and more talent.

"I think people will judge her on her ability, not her gender.

"It doesn't matter that she's a woman. It has nothing to do with the decision.

"Both of them have earnt the opportunity, pure and simple."

Underwood first called a match on radio several years ago when she joined Rex Hunt at 3AW for a quarter in a move largely considered a publicity stunt.

But Mr Barham said ratings and publicity were not factors in his decision.

"It's how good you are, not what you are," Mr Barham said.

"It's an experimental move.

"In the NAB Cup, clubs experiment, the AFL experiments and we wanted to experiment too."

Underwood said she had called two ABC radio matches to the Sydney market last season and Ten had asked for a copy of the tape.

She said she was thrilled.

"I have always wanted to broadcast any sport. It has been a dream," Underwood said.

"It's so exciting and I am looking forward to it.

"I'm probably more nervous calling alongside Tim Lane than the actual calling itself.

"I've been looking up to him for years."

She concedes audiences will have their opinions on women calling matches.

"Women are involved in every area of the sport, so why shouldn't they call?" she said.

[bayman]

good to see an adelaide girl getting a go

[wycbloods]

good luck to her and lets hope she is judged on how she commentates not if she is good looking or not.

[GWW]

good to see an adelaide girl getting a go

She's not originally from Adelaide, but did work at radio station 5MU in Murray Bridge in the late 90's.

[jointman]

women should stick as a boundary reporter...or should be in a mini skirt and pom poms

[Dog_ger]

Woman should stay in the Bedroom and only come out to go to the kitchen..!

[bayman]

good to see an adelaide girl getting a go

She's not originally from Adelaide, but did work at radio station 5MU in Murray Bridge in the late 90's.

sorry my mistake, she did work at 5aa for a few years

[Wedgie]

CHANNEL 10's Kelli Underwood will create history as the first woman to call Australian Rules football on TV.

I thought Dixie Marshall was a commentator at one stage?

[GWW]

CHANNEL 10's Kelli Underwood will create history as the first woman to call Australian Rules football on TV.

I thought Dixie Marshall was a commentator at one stage?

They said the same about her ex husband Max Stevens, but they were wrong there as well

[Dogwatcher]

good to see an adelaide girl getting a go

She's not originally from Adelaide, but did work at radio station 5MU in Murray Bridge in the late 90's.

Kelli is originally from Adelaide.
She grew up at Flagstaff Hill and attended Mercedes College.
Completed her studies at University of SA at Magill before getting the job at 5MU and then moving on to Melbourne.

[GWW]

I stand corrected then. I was under the impression she was originally from Victoria but won't argue with a journo.

[Dogwatcher]

You can argue with journos, they're known for getting their facts wrong mate.

But in this circumstance I'm pretty sure I'm right

[GWW]

You can argue with journos, they're known for getting their facts wrong mate.

Sounds like a good idea for a thread, where is Big Phil when you need him

[MatteeG]

[Dogwatcher]

Well find one

[Mr66]

Anyone remember Kate Stephenson?

[Dogwatcher]

And?

[devilsadvocate]

Tried to upload a pic, but obviously Wedgie has an ugly chicks filter as it wouldn't work.

Woman should stay in the Bedroom and only come out to go to the kitchen..!

Don't you want your clothes cleaned too?

[MatteeG]

Just saw some pics- she aint too bad!

[Dogwatcher]