Inspired by my fellow Roarer darcytrainor and his Five ‘centimetre perfect commentators article, I was immediately affronted that not one single rugby league caller made the list, particularly as Rex Hunt did.
And I won’t even go into why Bruce McAvaney is far from the number one commentator in Australia. If you want to know, just ask Raelene Boyle.
So here are the five callers of rugby league that I love to listen to. And the one who makes me turn off the audio.
5. Brad Fittler
New to the commentary game, Freddy has been a breath of fresh air to sports commentary in a way that has invigorated and enlivened the television sporting experience. Intelligent, lucid, to the point, the man has been a revelation with a microphone in his hand.
And man alive is he funny. The banter he partakes in with Andrew Johns on a Sunday morning is priceless and beyond hilarious.
Remember, this is the man who misses the final tackle in Game I of the 1994 State of Origin that resulted in the ‘miracle try’ that sealed the game for the Maroons.
Said Freddy: “Well, at least I made the highlights reel.”
4. Mike Stephenson
That’s right, they play and commentate on rugby league in the UK. Biased, unintelligible, often irreverent, this is literally the British version of Fatty Vautin. Without hair.
I have never seen a commentator, anywhere, attempt to defy the laws of the game, and physics, simply to convince people with marginally functioning vision that a British player has scored a try against the Kangaroos, despite said player dropping the ball from head height.
But the man loves his rugby league. And he has a genuine world-view of the game. Seeking to see the game grow, because it is the ‘best game in the world’, the man carries his heart on his sleeve.
And will forever be known for one of the great all-time rugby league quotes:
“That’s a try. T-R-I: Try!”
3. Rex Mossop
There is nothing I can say about Rexy that his legacy and he himself cannot say better. Take it away Rex:
“He seems to be favouring a groin injury at the top of his leg.”
“Now the referee is giving him a verbal tongue lashing.”
“Tiny, diminutive, little Mark Shulman.”
Of course, my personal favourite has nothing to do with league, upon complaining about nudist beaches:
“I don’t think the male genitals or the female genitals should be rammed down people’s throats.”
I can’t imagine Phil Gould coming up with any of those.
2. Peter Sterling
Personality goes a long way in sports commentary. But so does knowledge of the game you’re actually commentating on. Unless of course you’re Ian Healy.
‘Sterlo’ has always been the intelligent man of rugby league. Informative and personable, he offers perspectives you wouldn’t necessarily initially see, or he adds a dimension to what you’re actually watching.
This, in my opinion, is from the Richie Benaud school of commentary, and is what a commentator should be doing.
Don’t tell me what I’m looking at – I have eyes, and blind people are listening to the radio.
No, I want a commentator who is adding to what I’m seeing.
Sterlo does that every time. Despite the best efforts of Phil Gould, Andrew Johns and Fatty Vautin.
1. Ray Warren
Simply put, the man is the voice of rugby league. The excitement, the passion, the man has been doing this for decades.
And his quotability alone makes him a deadset Australian icon: “Shut the gate, put the glasses down” and “Turn it up Fatman” should be trademarked as national pieces of terminology.
He adds an aura of emotion to anything you watch. Heck, the man even makes the trainers seem other-worldly.
But it is his clear love of the game, combined with his passion and wisdom, and his ability to steer-clear of turning into another Darryl Eastlake, that truly makes him the voice of rugby league.
Also, the fact he gets ever-increasingly annoyed with Phil Gould makes him the stand-out league commentator above all others.
0. Ray Hadley
Can someone please tell that man to shoosh? Please!?
So there, you have it – five of the greatest and one of the not-so-greatest.
Sean
Guest
Think Frank Hyde would have to be the best
Lori-ellen Ivers
Guest
I am sick to death of these, what I call NEWBIES, after Ray Warren. Why is Phil Gould allowed anywhere near a commentators box? He should be in the gossip corner at the women's association. He just goes on and on about plays that are long gone. Quite frankly he's like an old woman. Where is the so-called commentary on the game at hand? I want the call on the play that is happening right now. I also want to hear the players name called out as to which player did what, especially when you have new players that the viewers are trying to learn about. I wish Ray Warren would give lessons on what and how to call in a game. Trouble is, that I think you either have the knack for it or you don't. The commentators that you should keep and let them hone their skills without any hindrance from Phil Gould, Tim Gilbert and Ray Hadley, are obviously Ray Warren, then Brad Fitler, Wally Lewis and maybe, just maybe Andrew Johns so long as he keeps his nose clean or should I say, his mouth clean. They should then stand a chance of getting better and be able to focus on the game in front of them without all of that chatter especially from Phil Gould. He shouldn't even be on the pre-game sports desk! I am sick of having to listen to him. Please put us out of our misery? Lori-ellen Ivers
Lynette
Guest
How can Freddy Fittler say that Paul Gallen is ineligible for his award when Andrew Johns was ushered into the hall of fame as a user of illegal drugs? A little self righteous might I say as the drugs taken by Johns were not for enhancement of fitness, but to get a "high".
Robert Mclaren
Guest
Warren smith as a commentator talks to much, he never played the game, he just talks on what he sees to bloody much if you ask me!Also he talks like he's on radio, like we can't see what's going on.we need ex pro league players train up at this job. Then I would appreciate the comments. But not from this horse commentator. I love the game, but he makes it hard to watch. I turn the sound of when he's on!
Gavin Cooper
Guest
Yes I remember Rex well, and with fondness, he, as a dual rep: certainly knew the game, and is commentating always had a few laughs in it. And I also like to see a few changes in commentators, to keep abreast of the modern game. And Ray Hadley should be shown the door, the one that has "exit" over it. Peter Sterling, Brad Fitler lead the charge. Fox has a few competent callers and a few good footy shows, nothing like competition to shake things up. And Ray Warren IS the voice, and a historian as well.
Haz
Guest
Mossop was much more Manly-biased. As is Fatty.
Haz
Guest
Yeah. Did anyone else love it during the London Olympics? Because Rabbs was in London calling the Olympics, Sterlo was the main caller and it was SO MUCH BETTER!
Haz
Guest
He IS the voice of the game, but by virtue of longevity, not brilliance.
dans the man
Guest
Agreed i love Dan Ginane, not sure what kind of response he'd get on TV as he's pretty easily excited, which makes him such a great radio caller, i could see people getting frustrated with him though. Either way i'd love to see him on TV at some stage, he's still miles ahead of hadley and if they won't bring back vossy when warren retires it would be really interesting to see which direction 9 would go. If it was me i'd go voss and warren smith and let dan ginane take smiths place on fox, but thats just me, anyone have any idea on who 9 might looking at to replace warren cos you'd imagine his times up soon, which means we're left with hadley and gilbert :|
Verfel
Guest
Can someone please tell me what happened to Costo?
Lady A
Guest
Hez, well, I lived in Canberra for five years and understand totally your position. And I get really wild about how little live nrl is on the tv. The NRLmob sure could learn from the AFL. I have noticed the big increase in the plugs for tv shows are on the increase and you are right about the fatty vautin show. I think I agree with a lot more of what you said than I realised! Thanks for shaking the old grey matter in my head! Cheers.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Anti-depressants will do that to you(Zonk you out)
B.A Sports
Guest
Serious?! While the stats may say drink driving is the number one killer on our roads, make no mistake it is Warren Ryan. How many drivers would he put to sleep every year? must be in the hundreds.... Send him and Ray Warren out on the same boat...
Haz
Guest
Yessss!!!!! Vossy is great. In commentary, his knowledge of the game is second only to Sterlo. I was hoping he'd end up being the long-term replacement to Ray Warren on Nine (assuming they keep NRL past the current broadcasting deal).
Stu
Guest
+1
KombiPhil
Guest
I loved Frank Hyde on 2SM. He lived for the game, and his gravelly tones will always be the sound of league to me. A true gentleman. I had the honour of meeting him at a State of Origin back in the early 1990s. His book The Frank Hyde Story is a great read if you can find a copy. I also enjoyed former referee Col Pearce when he called matches on 2UE, usually at a time when several matches were played at once and he was at a different ground from Frank. On TV, Rex Mossop was my favourite TV commentator, even with his Manly bias. I couldn't stand the Peter Peters and Greg Hartley team - remember them? I personally don't like 'whinging' Warren Ryan, nor the barely literate "youse seein' what he done"' Brad Fittler. Steve Roach is usually annoying, while Ray Warren is starting to get a bit doddery. David Morrow was entertaining but I didn't like the way his voice went up 2 octaves and 100 decibels for the least little thing. Andrew Johns always looks and sounds zonked out.
Stu
Guest
Warren Ryan would make a great replacement on channel 9 for Phil Gould. I don't always agree with his insights but at least he can explain them!! For me Peter Wilkins (Morrow's predecessor) was much better on the ABC Radio coverage. I used to love his gravel voiced call whenever a referee would cock it up... .."What a TRAVESTYYYYYYY...."
Ads
Guest
The 12th Man!
B.A Sports
Guest
I think Wally Lewis is worse "dictate terms" "absolute perfection" He is like one of those dolls when you pull the cord in the back they come up with one of about 6 or 7 random comments. He has about 6 different things he says, and he just randomly says them regardless of if they are relevant or not. !
B.A Sports
Guest
Agree 100% I will add that he has no idea how to distinguish the difference between coincidence and irony. Voss and Gould actually worked well together IMO