What would be the reaction if the ABC headed up the next federal election coverage with a panel of comedians?

It's worth considering: it would be "entertaining", could "appeal to a broader audience" and would make it less "traditional". These are the arguments that were put up to defend the ABC's heavily criticised midweek coverage of Liverpool versus Sydney FC at Sydney's Olympic stadium.

All of them fair, but none of them convincing enough.

There were also the "technical difficulties" of presenters not being able to hear themselves, or their guests, because of their exposed position at the ground and loudspeakers blaring.

Again, a fair comment but to any experienced sports broadcasting team that's just a given. It would be the starting point of the planning for the coverage, not something that unexpectedly happened once the program began.

The fact one of the sideline interviews has gone viral needs to be seen in context.

Though nothing was on the line, fans of both clubs certainly took the match seriously. ( AAP: Dan Himbrechts )

Has it gone viral because it's been hailed as the new, successful way to broadcast sport? Or has it gone viral because people are still in disbelief wondering whether it was a serious attempt that failed, or worse, a comedic attempt that failed?

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What happened on Wednesday night was not just an attempt at something new that didn't quite hit the mark. It was much more than that. It undermined the ABC's long tradition of quality sports broadcasting.

It's a tradition built on the reputation of well-known quality broadcasters like Alan McGilvray, Norman May, Tim Lane, Debbie Spillane, Jim Maxwell, Karen Tighe and Gerard Whateley — experienced professionals trained to reflect the passion and intensity of a sporting moment and interpret what it says about the wider world we live in.

What was lacking in Wednesday night's coverage was an understanding of the position sport occupies, and the value it holds, in a broad Australian landscape.

The return of some former greats took the sting out of the game. ( AAP: Paul Miller )

Liverpool and Sydney FC were both playing a post-end-of-season game that "meant nothing" but each and every player knows the value of their shirt — the history that comes with club colours — the historical moments recalled every time a new rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone echoes around a stadium.

Each viewer, either at the ground or watching the ABC broadcast, knew the power of the one-minute silence to remember the tragedy of the Manchester suicide bombing only two days earlier.

Even casual sports observers know of the unique ability sport has to bring otherwise disparate groups together to share in the thrill of victory or the disappointment of loss.

There is a place for comedy in sport — think Roy and HG. But in their case the audience is in on the joke. They know where the lines are drawn.

On Wednesday night the joke was on the audience.