I was shocked to read comments on a recent Roar article claiming Ray Warren is past it.
When I think of rugby league I think of Rabs calling the games. He has been calling them my entire life and although his career is nearing its end, it should be up to him to decide when to call it a day.
If he wants to go around again next year, I’m more than happy to listen to him. I understand some people’s concerns that he does call the odd player by the wrong name but we can forgive him for that.
Those criticising him for plugging Channel Nine shows that no one is interested in will be in for a rude shock if he is replaced, as the new commentator will be forced into those too. I highly doubt Rabs tunes into Big Brother every night or that Richie Benaud can’t wait for the latest episode of The Mentalist.
Despite my obvious love for Rabs, another commentator I have a soft spot for is Andrew Voss, and I was upset when his voice couldn’t be heard on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon anymore.
The thing I found strangest about it was that everyone I spoke to enjoyed Vossy’s calls. I would much prefer to listen to him over Ray Hadley, leaving me bewildered at how Hadley took his job.
Vossy has slowly come back into the fold of late and resurrected his career, his popularity seeing him gain more and more employment. His comeback has been so successful that I predict he will have a major commentary role on Fox next season.
What makes him such a great commentator is his ability to remain unbiased and not push any agendas on his viewers. His commentary is insightful and he even works in the odd bit of humour as well.
Vossy’s rise from the ashes began with Sky Sports New Zealand, calling Warriors home games. These telecasts were broadcast on Fox, ensuring his voice hadn’t been lost to Australian viewers. He was next heard over on Channel Seven calling the Rugby League World Cup.
In 2014 Vossy has continued with the Warriors calls but this progressed to calls of Warriors games in Australia as well. Fox Sports finally saw his worth and last weekend we had the option of listening to Andrew Voss back calling the big games, in this instance it was the Roosters versus Panthers final.
I chose of course to listen to my beloved Rabs, but it is good to know that when he retires I will have a new favourite commentator already lined up.
Hopefully Australian broadcasting companies listen to their viewers to ensure Vossy can be heard for years to come. Otherwise I’ll be forced to fire up the PS2 to hear his iconic voice calling the games on Rugby League Live.
Follow Louis on Twitter: @louismcintyre
Terry
Guest
All Commentators have their use by date (like Rex and Ron before him) and Ray is all over the shop now. Its no shock to see 9 looking around.
kiwijack
Guest
Rabs is still No.1 and Voss is No.2, Hadley not even rated. Hopefully Rabs will continue for a bit longer until Voss takes over.
Adrian Cross
Guest
No Fittler...he creams his pants whenever Roosters are playing and his bias obvious. On Fittler what's with the commentary behind the kicker lining up for goal??? That has to be off putting! Andrew Johns would be better and if you could poach Brandy Alexander I would prefer him.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
I'm glad you labelled the statute as I thought initially it was a new Squizzy Taylor line from Darrell Lea, gearing up for the chocolate Christmas season. I hadn't heard anything about it, but it certainly lacks everything in verisimilitude. Did someone actually design it, or is it another Copper Art generic figure, like the Steve Waugh statue?
Bunger
Guest
Prefer Voss and current Fox commentators to the channel 9 drivel.
Adam
Guest
Their poll was taken at A taping of the Thursday night footy show. 100 rednecks in the audience were quizzed and they said they prefer partner probes to Vossy and he was gone....
Adam
Guest
Yeah, you would hate a commentator to call it as it is. It's much better when they just fawn all over them no matter what. Although I noted we no longer hear Warren make reference to how wonderful an athlete Stewart is with the challenges of diabetes. May be he found out a little more information.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes and I had the pleasure of hearing Frank Hyde on 2SM who must be right up there and on top of the list that you have compiled.
Realist 1975
Guest
Con, I have not heard his commentary for a while now, but in saying that when I had he was better than what we have now. The late 80's commentary team was the best IMHO. Loved listening to true analysts such as Billy Anderson dissect plays. Please view Jackson's extra time try in the Canberra GF victory over Balmain 1989 for passion voiced by Ian Maurice followed immediately by Rex Mossop's commentary about Ian Maurice. Commentators should be the "icing on the cake" for this great game not a predominate focus on opinions voiced by intelligent and articulate yet bias ego inflated individuals.
Glenn Innes
Guest
Robz -I think it might be a little more subtle than just a personality clash.Hadley is a big time radio celebrity in Sydney and Nine no doubt think he is popular with the Rugby League demographic in the games biggest market. I can't stomach him, but he doesn't bother me because I listen to ABC radio and then sometimes watch the replay on fox (if the game is worth it, league is an easy game to follow on the radio and you can enjoy the game and get some work done at the same time) When Warren gives it away it will be Hadley unless nine lose the rights (extremely unlikely )so you are just going to have to learn to live with him or listen to the radio(the call is slightly ahead of the vision but you will get used to it)
Stephen Martin
Guest
Vossy is about the best in any sport. He was a huge hit during the RLWC with viewers here in England. If Channel 9 refuse to have him back, I'd be delighted to have him replace the dull Eddie Hemmings* on Sky's Super League coverage. My son loved his Wii commentaries, and he only got some of the Poms' names wrong. * No, not THAT Eddie Hemmings!
Robz
Guest
Ch 9's official line is that they polled their audience and Vossy was found to be the least favourite commentator. Now I know a lot of RL fans and not a single one of them was ever polled and if indeed there was a poll I am pretty sure noone was told he would be replaced by Hadley - noone would have voted for Vossy to be punted if they knew. The real reason is that Hadley got the shits with Vossy having a joke saying the Rabs statue looks nothing like him (which is true) and threw his weight around to get Vossy sacked. (Hadley was the one who drove the fundraising to get the statue made) This is after a long history of bitterness between Hadley and Voss when they were both at 2UE and Hadley basically felt threatened and had been on a campaign to ruin Voss's media career. Also in reference to the article, I believe Vossy's "rise from the ashes" as a RL commentator actually started when he was made the primary caller of the Queensland Cup matches - the year before he started calling Warriors games.
Steve
Guest
Cant wait to hear Vossy back calling more games on Fox. It was a travesty that he was ever given the flick in the first place. Can't believe 9 picked Hadley over him as one of their main callers. Just goes to show that the job isn't allocated because of talent but rather who you have influence with. Nines commentary team are an old mates club who are past their used by date. I'd keep Sterlo but that's about it.
max
Guest
No Garry no Garry no Garry NO!
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Get your copy of "The Voice" Magic Sponge. It's yours for only $9.99.
Shaun Mancini
Roar Pro
I'm not completely over Rabs yet, i think he's still got a year or two left. Vossy is great. I've really enjoyed watching Warriors games this season and a large part is because of Voss Unless Channel 9 do get Vossy they are in trouble though cause they have absolutely nothing beyond Rabs.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Haha spot on manly marn
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Do you reckon David Morrow could do a good job Realist? He commentated for ABC TV in his early days (the Sat afternoon match) and he is finishing up with ABC radio this year. Or do you think he is also a bit long in the tooth?
Manly Man
Guest
Statue looks like mick potter
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Ray Hadley being appointed Channel Nine's lead commentator is my biggest nightmare.