Mark Fine (radio)

Mark Fine (born 1965) is an Australian radio presenter.

'Finey' as he is known is an expert on a wide range of sports and first started on SEN 1116 in its inauguration in January 2004. He was the host of the weekend afternoon show Weekend Leave Pass with Russell Gilbert.

History

Upon completing his secondary education Mark completed a degree in Marketing. However despite working in the profession for a number of years, realized that writing was his passion.

This led to him writing some few books and encyclopedia's. However it is larely unkwnown how he became involved with radio. He is currently the host of the evening program on 1116 SEN as well as the top rating Finey's Final Siren which can be heard immediately after the completion of AFL games. He is also a contributing writer for Inside Football, ground announcer for the Melbourne Victory and a commentator with Australian Open Radio.

Mark is married with four children and is a long suffering St Kilda Saints fan in the AFL. He also follows the pursuits of West Ham United and the Boston Red Sox.

Controversy

2007

Bruce Eva sacking

Fine controversially took over from axed SEN presenter Bruce Eva for the 7-11pm time slot, despite the program being the highest show on the station to increase in listeners. However what come as a bigger surprise from the sacking was that members of SEN were ill-informed, and at a loss to explain why the prominent host was sacked.

Some have hinted at possible moment, where Eva went against management orders to interview a guest on his show, when the guest was planned for another. Some also claim arrogance of Fine at an end of season party for the station, in which Fine may have inadvertently mocked his former colleague.

However it is unknown of the details. The relationship between the pair is strained as a result.

Kevin Bartlett Attack

Mark attacked Richmond Football Club champion, SEN 1116 presenter, and AFL rules committee member Kevin Bartlett as he instigated the controversial new hands in the back rule.

Fine told listeners to 'Send an email' amongst other things, to Bartlett on his program Hungry for Sport, after the rule ironically disallowed Richmond Football Club veteran Matthew Richardson a match winning goal against the Essendon Football Club, after he pushed defender Mal Michael in the back.

Jon Ralph Attack

Fine attacked close friend and Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph, for his comments that the AFL commission would be happy if Australia lost to Thailand in the AFC Asian Cup. Fine called Ralph a 'Myopic journalist' among other things. Australia defeated Thailand 4-0 to ProgresS to the quarter finals against Japan.

Caller's Love

During the year of 2007, a young caller under 10 years of age rang in on Fine's AFL season programFiney's Final Siren. The boy expressed his love of Mark, only to have harsh remarks sent back to him.

Ratings

Ratings for Evening show since Fine took over. The ratings calculate from 7pm-12pm, Fine's show runs from 7pm-11pm and includes The Four Diegos which runs from 11pm-12pm. It can at times be deceiving during the AFL season, in which ratings are GeneRally higher due to the coverage of AFL games in this slot.

• Blue/Purple - indicates ratings improvement from last survey
• Green - indicates ratings drop

Trivia

• Mark Fine famously launched a verbal attack on AFL umpire Ray Chamberlin during a practice match at which time he suggested that the dingo took the wrong baby.

• He has a tattoo of a greyhound on his hip. The tattoo is of an actual dog, Prefontaine, that Mark raced in the 1990's.

• Mark Fine is a smoker.

• He is also known for a laugh in which he can sometimes snort.

See also

• Finey's Final Siren
• SEN 1116
• Radio
• Commercial Radio
• Marketing
• Controversy
• Broadcasting
• Sport