Though attention of late has been on crowd numbers for the National Rugby League, it’s my belief that there is a bigger issue facing the code. Coverage of the game needs to improve dramatically.
After continually witnessing how well other sports are covered, both here and abroad, I can’t help but feel that the NRL’s media coverage is lagging behind where it should be.
The NRL itself is doing a great job, with their app and Digital Pass bringing the competition in line with other sports. However, there is still room for improvement, particularly from the rugby league media.
It’s overdue that we have some variety in the voices covering the NRL. Is it just me, or do we only hear from the same rugby league journalists, regardless of the medium? It doesn’t seem to matter whether I’m watching TV, listening to the radio, reading the paper, or going online, there is the distinct feeling that I’m listening to the same people saying the same thing.
This is no disrespect to the fine rugby league media personalities that the game is lucky to have, but if I’ve heard your opinion in one place, I don’t really need to hear it another.
On Saturday afternoon, I tuned in to Shirvo’s Super Saturday on Fox Sports, and was pleasantly surprised to listen to Matt Shirvington, Laurie Daley and Kevvie Walters, three individuals I don’t often get to hear.
I found their opinions measured, their analysis insightful, their manner non-confrontational, and their volume controlled. The trio was professional, but not stiff. Entertaining, but not for entertainment’s sake. Talkative, but not rambling.
Daley and Walters’ State of Origin allegiances are well documented, but I never got the feeling I was listening to an agenda-filled diatribe from either. Instead, it was just great rugby league chat from people who know their stuff and can express their thoughts clearly.
It served as a reminder that there are some articulate and passionate rugby league commentators out there, in contrast to the angry, childish, arrogant, loud, repetitive, juvenile, one-eyed, idiotic, sensationalist, dumb or agenda-driven personalities we hear from all too often.
That last paragraph probably sounds harsher than I intend when discussing rugby league’s media fraternity. However, NRL coverage could surely do with an increase in professionalism and a decrease in vitriol.
I look at the coverage of AFL in Australia and think it’s the best in the country, in particular how Foxtel cover the game. I bow to no one in my admiration of shows like AFL 360, On The Couch, Open Mike and After the Bounce. Brilliant television with the perfect mix of insight, polish, analysis, opinion and entertainment.
I also think some of the print journalism out of Melbourne is terrific. I even find myself listening to SEN for the simple reason that I enjoy the quality of the conversations.
I can’t help but wish the NRL had the same world-class coverage, and there is no reason why it can’t.
To be fair, there is already some great coverage of the game, I just want more of it. Call me greedy, but I want quantity and quality. Yet all too often the focus is on slapstick humour or one person’s agenda. It’s a concern when you read a rugby league article and wonder what the writer’s ulterior motive was.
Yet perhaps I’m aiming my proverbial gun in the wrong direction. News Limited’s Richard Hinds has been a vocal critic of the lack of access to NRL players and clubs, and he’s hardly alone.
Perhaps if those who cover the NRL did indeed have greater access to the NRL’s players, clubs, coaches and officials, they would have different and more interesting angles for stories. It’s certainly worth pondering.
Channel Nine also cops flak for how they cover the game. The delayed games in particular annoy fans, and I’m certainly no different, as I hate not watching live football. However, I will defend Channel Nine to a certain point.
Channel Nine is a business making money off advertising. The network paid a large sum for the NRL free-to-air TV broadcast rights, and they need a return on that investment. Delayed coverage lets them fit more ads in.
If the NRL wanted to insist on live broadcasts of all games shown on free-to-air television, then they would have had to accept a lower amount for the broadcast rights.
Some have suggested that the NRL were more intent on matching or beating the AFL’s broadcast deal – for PR purposes – then doing what was best for the game, but whatever the truth, I struggle to blame the Nine Network for delayed games.
What I can blame Channel Nine for is not showing games in high definition. In this day and age, that is ridiculous. HD increases the viewing quality for fans at home. Why exactly would you not want to show games in the best way possible?
I’m sure Roarers will have their own gripes with the way the NRL is covered. Or perhaps they’ll even tell me I’m way out of line.
However, I’d like more variety and voices. More professionalism. More articulate commentators. Fewer agendas. Less slapstick. Fewer sensationalist stories. Better access to players and clubs. Live free-to-air games. High definition broadcasts. Just better overall coverage.
Is that too much to ask?
Nicholas O'Sullivan
Roar Guru
I was inline for a job with NRL.com. After being shortlisted I found out they employed an AAP writer rather than a local columnist. It also seems the the AAP columnist also works for the local newspaper, so there's not much difference in the news stories seen online at NRL.com and in the local paper on the Cowboys.
In Brief
Guest
I personally emailed Richard once asking what his agenda was. He told me the newspaper editor had instructed him to write stories on rugby league. Doesn't mean he was a plant, but he probably doesn't have his heart in it.
Rixy
Guest
Does anyone else remember when the NRL signed the broadcast rights, one of the points of the contract was: - Nine's digital channel to show two hours of rugby league content each evening and Saturday and Sunday mornings This was supposed to be on digital channel 94 (not Gem on Go). Has anyone seen anything close to two hours of content per night? How can one of the points of the contract, promoted to everyone through the media just be ignored?
Spruce Moose
Guest
Well, Voss shot him self in the foot by allegedly ragging on a statue of Rabs. Don't bite the hand that feeds you. Don't piss in your drinking supply.
Damien
Roar Guru
Haha.. All good MJ..
Damien
Roar Guru
Thats true, however Ch. 9's job is to deliver eyeballs not make the eyeballs purchase products..
81paling
Roar Rookie
I have only been able to find shows on the ABC and then one show in Sydney on 1269 AM called talk'in sport that will allow anything other than the min stream close knit media opinion to be aired. ABC will allow the likes of Roy Masters and Warren Ryan to speak their minds and 1269 though following the main stream in their opinions are unique in allowing their informed callers who talk to much to speak their minds, on other programs they would be moved on but on that one it opens up honest debate. For my mind channel 9 lost all credibility when Darryl Eastlake and Ray Warren's microphone's were allowed to be active in state of origin when Jack Gibson was talking. For those 2 loud mouthed track calling ignorant, should have been shock jocks to be allowed to say anything in the presence of Gibson, left alone putting the 2 of them in there with such a legend shows a total disrespect for the game and a desperate, disrespectful grab for ratings that channel 9 has always shown.
Sean
Guest
The Game Plan got the axe unfortunately.
Glenn Innes
Guest
I am still watching analog now...they have not switched off the signal here yet so I can keep watching my beautiful old Bang and Olufsen analog with the lovely natural colour you get with analog rather than that ghastly compressed look you get with digital. Indeed even when they switch the signal off because we are on satellit we can still keep our old tv and don't even need a set top box so tough luck Harvey Norman. The picture tube will die eventually and then I guess I will have to suffer digital but anyone who really thinks digital ia a better picture than analog should take a much closer look especially at colors like purple and red... they look so much more natural in analog.
Phil McGrawhan
Guest
C7 should be commended with their coverage of the AFL, they're always trying new things, this year they're airing both coaches post game press conferences, and you can actually hear the questions the journos are asking, up until now alls you got was a snippet and the coaches seemed to be answering questions no one asked. They've also added at least one expert willing to speak his mind on the game, instead of wall to wall politically correct ex players who never have a bad word to say about anyone or anything.
turbodewd
Guest
In summary, yes the NRL needs a total refresh/refurb/makeover. I cannot believe we get lumped with Fittler, he is just a big kid. Ray Warren is past it. Gould isnt past it, but once per call he goes into aggro mode - its awful to hear. Bring back Vossy! Bye bye Rabs you metaphor-twisting, surname-mispronouncing gambling duffer.
djcooper
Roar Guru
Jumping on your comment regarding the players and coaches being more accessible to the media Ryan, I thought it was quite hyprocrital of Wayne Bennett to contact the biggest NRL gossip (Rothfield) when he wanted to air his grievances regarding the concussion furour. Is this the same Wayne Bennett that refuses to talk to most sensible media types due to their apparent twisting of his words!? I still maintain that the NRL needs to introduce a compulsory policy that atleast 5 players should be available for 30 minutes after every training session and games so that the media can get the appropriate stories out to the number one stakeholders...the fans.
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
They won't become more popular by much though. I'd imagine the amount of people still watching analogue TV before the shut-off was quite low.
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
Make Thursday night a regular fixture then. Not sure what all the fuss was about Thursday night footy - for me it just means I get to watch NRL a day earlier.
SAVAGE
Guest
Having lived in Melbourne and Perth, I have never been able to understand channel 9s assertion or the NRL's for that matter, that rugby league was a national game. There is only one national game in Australia, and it's cricket, but AFL and Soccer aren't far behind. If Rugby League fans around the country want someone to vent at for lack of television access to their game, then they need look no further than channel 9.
John Hamilton
Roar Pro
On top of that, the AFL broadcasters are able to slot an ad in after each goal - This is about 20-30 times per game. You're lucky to get more than 7 tries in a game of rugby league. So straight away there is 13 extra ad spots to sell. When you add in extra breaks for quarter time and three quarter time which the NRL doesn't have, there is a lot more return on investment for broadcasters of AFL compared to the Rugby League. It'll be interesting to see if this affects the A-League in time to come.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
It is called cliche bingo !
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Ryano the AFL cover there game superbly. Their media streams seem to be 100% behind the game on all levels. I don't see that same harmony in the NRL. It's well known there a few NRL journos that have agenda's and drive that at any opportunity. I will say the Ch 9 FNF coverage is better this season. The Tom Waterhouse circus last year was embarrasing, to the point where they would discuss the racing and tips for the following day. Glad that has been binned. I really enjoyed the Game Plan on ONE, not sure if it's back this year. It is a far superior programme to the slapstick Footy Show.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
That's a pretty narrow view of the opinions put forward here today. The intent of my piece - and indeed the sentiment contained within many of the comments here today - is that the NRL needs improving, in terms of the way it's covered by the media. That's not bashing the game, that's bashing the coverage. Big difference. No one is complaining about being forced to watch NRL, they're complaining that the viewing experience and associated coverage should be better.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Fair question, Scott. But I think naming names would be slightly hypocritical, mate. It would be unprofessional and agenda driven: the exact qualities I think NRL coverage needs less of.