On the weekend, the pre-game ABC Radio League panel hosted by Debbie Spillane was running a poll on why the NRL’s TV ratings were down. Interestingly it came to pass that a major contributing factor, in the opinion of the ABC listeners, was the poor level of commentary.
I must admit that I have had the regular occasion to turn off the coverage over the last couple of years due to the call, and it was interesting to hear that others are having the same problem.
In fact, until Warren Ryan was sent to the naughty corner and subsequently took the opportunity to walk the plank, I would always rather listen to the ABC and not watch the television.
The quality of the free-to-air TV call is at best average and at its worst deplorable, and the problem is at the top. Honestly, Ray Warren is probably a very nice man, but who decided he was the doyen of rugby league callers?
And if he ever was, which I don’t think was ever the case, he’s certainly past it now. Ray ought to really refrain from using big words, he doesn’t understand them or what context they are to be used in, I’m embarrassed on his behalf.
And who decided that the dummy-half was called the ‘acting-half’ and the fullback was a ‘custodian’? I was in Melbourne for seven years in the late 80s and when I came back the hooker was wearing the nine jersey, is that when it happened?
His partner in crime, Phil Gould, should stick to print media. He writes excellent articles about relevant issues that spark much needed debate and discussion. I doubt there’s anyone in league that knows more about the game than Gus. But don’t let him near the microphone, please.
As a lot of people with strong opinions, he thinks he is always right and he feels strongly that he has the game’s best interests at heart.
I understand this but if he really does have the game’s interests at heart he’d stop moaning on about all the errors that the refs and the administrators make and just help call the game. It’s not the right forum and it brings the whole experience down.
Against the Bulldogs last weekend, Melbourne were denied a try because there was a knock-on according to the video referee.
Phil Gould objected to the decision very strongly for a prolonged period and then, I suspect, went and sulked up the back of the box for 10 minutes. We certainly didn’t hear from him, which I’m not complaining about.
I’m not sure what happened after that, I switched it off.
Just like players and referees are rated, dropped and promoted, something similar could happen for the commentators. Just like when David Boon got the tap on the shoulder, why not Ray Warren?
It’s not like there aren’t already some excellent candidates out there. David Morrow seems to do a decent job and Craig Hamilton is another in the ABC stable who knows how it’s done.
Sterlo is as good as ever and Andrew Voss seems more than competent. And of course there are several guys on Fox who could do the job.
Has Ray had his day? Surely we need to bring some new voices into the stable.
The real SC
Roar Rookie
I used to enjoy Ray Warren's commentary in swimming and rugby league, but now it's getting really boring when he was working with Gus Gould in the box especially with the dribble. This is really annoying me as it continues to lower the standard of the rugby league commentary. Gus the clown continues to be really biased towards his Penrith Panthers side while Ray Warren gets players name's wrong. I had to mute him for some reason. Once Ray Warren gets to the end of 2017 NRLGF, he should retire for good. For 2018 - Please ditch Phil Gould as he is so biased towards his side. Ray Hadley needs to be gone from Rugby because he is like a bully and shows a lack of respect towards others. Hadley has been involved in a lot of controversies on 2GB. Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler need to go as they continue to mumble a lot and talk more alcohol stuff. Take Tallis and Finch off the commentary team as they have a lack of confidence when presenting. Hope that we could get Andrew Voss, Fatty Vautin, and the big Marn in the commentary box. And one thing... add BT!
Josh from Melbourne
Guest
Ray Warren is one of the best callers that the game has ever seen and is certainly part of the reason why I have followed the NRL in recent times. From the heart of AFL country in Victoria I was always interested in sports, any sports really. Being a night owl I was very lucky to have NRL games shown on channel 9 at around midnight on Friday & Sunday nights, I looked forward to this each weekend and admired the commentary of Ray Warren, when they had double headers on a Friday night the second game was never the same without Ray Warren calling it. Now we get a lot more coverage with the thanks to the introduction of channel GEM. There is no caller on the game of rugby like Ray Warren, you should embrace this and be proud that he has chosen the NRL as his home of commentary, there is not doubt he would've been highly sought after in any other sport except cricket as it would drive him mad and until last Friday cricket had its own genius in Richie Benaud. This article is boring, negative and no doubt coming from the minority of narrow minded people. You should be thanking Ray Warren as he has nurtured and promoted the game, I for one can say that I am a proud Melbourne Storm member and have been since the mid 2000s with thanks to Ray Warren. On par with the great late Richie Benaud #oneofthebest #thevoice #riprichie
robertdowney
Guest
i am no fan of Ray warren or channel nine coverage but this article is Ageist. "he’s certainly past it now". try to write objectively and give clear relevant useful examples. "acting half", "refrain from using big words" etc what the....? i dont like ray's commentary but not because he is "past it".
MJB
Guest
Also same here.
Wild Man From Borneo
Roar Rookie
Ray HAS had his day but that is not the only thing wrong with the Channel 9 telecast. The Producer should be hanged from the Wally Lewis statue at Lang Park. Seriously, I'm sick of looking at crowds or injured players or, guys sitting on the bench while the game is underway with Ray spruiking some terrible 9 TV show coming up tomorrow night. We miss a lot of footy while this stupid Producer calls the shots. We look at the colour of players boots or, their tattoo's or any other bit of garbage they can find to comment on. I'm also sick (literally sometimes) with the change of camera's from the side of play to behind the play to above the play. None of these camera angles adds much to the viewing pleasure. All it does is makes me giddy and makes the game hard to follow. And one last point. Whoever told Ray he was funny?? 'Cause he aint! He must be a nice bloke but he has a limited personality with no humour! I also turn the sound off!
Jay C
Roar Guru
I don't like Finch's voice. But I guess you can't have everything. On Locky though, he sounds nervous, it isn't coming naturally. Hopefully it will because I am sure he could offer some amazing insights. I haven't heard Benny Ikin get a mention yet but he is sharp as a tack and offers interesting calls. I would also like to give a shout out to the guys that do the Qld Cup. I don't think I have heard a bad call from any of them. They have a way of calling the game without putting themselves all over it. I dunno. It's good.
Squirrel
Guest
Agree Vossy is awesome and Rabbits is ridiculous now, I think he believes he is RL himself.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Same here.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Yeah, geez, Lockyer struggles. You can tell he's been told to stop pausing when he goes to say first something though, almost like he deliberately pushes the words out because he's conscious of the fact that he thinks a lot before he speaks. Just something I've noticed. A mate of mine who's a massive footy nerd like us clowns on here told me about how Lockyer visited a work site in Brisbane as part of a OH and S sponsorship thing or something. Anyway, some of the insights he gave, to people who knew the right questions to ask, were truly fascinating, up there with Phil Gould-type stuff, as you'd expect. Shame this doesn't really come across in his media work, but he is still learning the ropes. Remember that Fittler and co have been retired for almost ten years now. Lockyer's in his 3rd year, so he's pretty green. Although the surprise packet there is Finch, interestingly enough. He has some real skill.
Scrubbit
Guest
Either way I thought it was great lol. Despite the lack of speed, mobility, skin colour, and body shape they looked identical. Is it just me or has Eastwood been outstanding this year?
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
"Ray Meagher (aka Alf Stewart) would go alright too." flamin' heck, what bonza idea......struth, why hasn't anyone thought of that before
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
I actually though he said that on purpose as a joke and was having a good laugh about it
Jambo
Guest
Give Ray Martin a go. Ray Meagher (aka Alf Stewart) would go alright too. Or even Ray Romano - Everyone Loves Raymond!
turbodewd
Guest
Alas Ive always thought Ray Warren to be a rambler. He says such lame stuff. I prefer Ray Hadley...even tho I cant stand him as a person or radio person - yuk!
Mike from Tari
Guest
I watched the Souths - manly game on Ch9, then Saturday morning I watched the Foxtel replay, much as I can't stand Warren Smith, I enjoyed it a lot more than Friday night, I didn't have to listen to Chook - eyed Fittler or the 8th immortal, Johns. Bring on Vossy he is the best of a bad lot.
81paling
Roar Rookie
Thank goodness people are finally talking about this.I am so sick of hearing Gould bag the ref's and everything else in the game and Ray Warren just going along with him. They will go for an entire set of six tackles without mentioning a single players name. As for Andrew Voss after he showed a player having his pants pulled down 5 times on the Footy show & then a further 8 times in one morning on the Roast it was clear that the sooner rugby League could see the back of that guy the better. The entire show became so awkward for everyone involved as he asked them to show it over and over again. The more people talk about the negativity coming from the channel 9 commentary the better. I am so sick of hearing how a ref's mistake is the biggest in history when the same commentators are screaming for them to make those kind of calls and then tear into them for finally making the call. Once we get rid of those commentators our problems with referee's will soon go away.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
Oh come on! Rabbits is a legend caller I love listening to his screw ups calling wrong players etc MAKES ME LAUGH! I agree with you on Gus but, please someone lock him out of the commentary box, and hopefully then he will stick to what he does better which is coaching.
Dene Griffin
Roar Rookie
Scott you may not base your decision to watch on who is calling but it seems that many base thier decision to turn it off based on who's calling!
Adam
Guest
I always make the decision to not watch the footy once I hear Ray Hadleys voice
Adam
Guest
Doesn't sound like Ray Hadley to push an agenda