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NRL media conflicts of interest are becoming a problem

Roar Rookie
8th October, 2014
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Phil Gould is definitely not the Panthers coach. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Roar Rookie
8th October, 2014
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1227 Reads

For quite some time now the conflict of interest commentators have with NRL clubs has been festering.

Obviously our great game needs well-respected ex-players in the media. Their opinions are held in the highest of regard as they‘ve been there and done it.

I don’t have a major issue with industry experts getting involved with current clubs to a point, however it must be acknowledged that this is fraught with danger.

At some point it makes sense to pick either/or – such as Paul Harragon choosing a position with his beloved Newcastle Knights over his media job with Channel Nine.

The best player I ever saw was Andrew Johns. He has a great football brain and I love his thoughts and opinions. However over the past few years his assistant coaching job with the Manly Sea Eagles has become a conflict of interest.

The issue comes to a head when Johns is involved in the telecast of Manly games. There is an obvious bias whenever he refers to the halves pairing of Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran, who he spends so much time coaching. For opposing team’s fans to listen to comments from a man you know is their coach leaves a bad taste.

The way he interviewed and joked with Foran on-field last year after Manly eliminated the Rabbitohs in the preliminary final made me feel even more sorry for Souths fans.

The obvious bias which frustrates fans and viewers could so simply be avoided. Surely there is enough talent to go around that Johns does not need to be a part of that telecast?

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Possibly the biggest case of this is whenever we are forced to hear the voice of Phil Gould during a Penrith Panthers telecast. How can the General Manager of a club be allowed to commentate on his own team?

To hear him giving glowing compliments about Panthers players during a game makes me very uncomfortable – imagine if Russell Crowe was allowed to commentate on Souths games!

Phil Gould certainly still has a place in commentary. He has a great sense of occasion for those big games, and some of those introductions he’s given prior to a kick off have been legendary.

But week to week he does tend to waffle on and struggle to maintain interest. It might be time for Gus to focus on his role at the Panthers and just join in on the big telecast occasions like Origin and grand finals.

But he shouldn’t even have to make this decision – Channel Nine should have more sense.

Roosters legend Brad Fittler is another one who, although he doesn’t hold an official post with the Roosters that I am aware of, shows a complete lack of viewer empathy. He clearly barracks for his old team – it borders on the ridiculous.

After the Cowboys’ loss to the Roosters in this year’s finals, viewers sat through interview after interview of Freddy on the field joking with the Roosters, laughing it up with private jokes as if they were still teammates in the locker room.

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All of this could have been avoided with some simple professionalism when assigning which experts will call which games. If Freddy cannot keep a lid on his loyalties he should not be involved in calling Roosters games.

I could raise plenty of more examples, but I’d rather show how there is a right way to do things. Look to Peter Sterling for proof.

Sterlo is a Parramatta legend and for all the years he has been on our TV screens, you wouldn’t have known which team he’d won all those premierships with. He never shows a bias to the Eels, he’s always professional, and that’s what’s made him so well respected.

Of the new brigade Matthew Johns, Gorden Tallis and Mark Gasnier are of the same mould. Extremely professional, always have an opinion, but leave their loyalties at the door.

Ben Ikin does his best to stay neutral when the talk of the Cowboys arises, as any statement he makes comes with a prior disclaimer that he sits on the club’s board.

News that Channel Nine’s Erin Molan was recently told by her employers she could not take on a position with the Canberra Raiders board baffles me when compared to others currently in their employ. They actually said it was due to a conflict of interest.

While I agree with that decision, if I was Erin I would seriously wonder how on Earth they can say that when they clearly have no issue with Johns or Gus being involved with other clubs.

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