Just one day after the Seven Network’s ad-saturated AFL grand final coverage infuriated viewers, sports fans were again left frustrated at the broadcast of a major sporting event.

Social media was flooded with complaints on Sunday evening about the Nine Network’s commentary during the 2016 NRL grand final.

The Cronulla Sharks made history at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, toppling the Melbourne Storm 14-12 to win the grand final for the first time in their 50-year history.

Cronulla were undoubtedly the favourite of neutrals heading into the match, given their historical lack of success.

But viewers felt the Nine Network were one-sided in their commentary and analysis of the match as the sentimental favourites came from behind to topple the Storm.

Network Ten journalist and presenter Stephen Quartermain posted this message on Twitter before the match started.

Looking forward to an unbiased neutral call from the @NRL commentators in the #NRLGF between @storm and @Cronulla_Sharks — Stephen Quartermain (@Quartermain10) October 2, 2016

And Quartermain’s colleague, Sandra Sully, had a more pointed message to share with her 125,000 followers during the match.

Could the #Channel9 commentators be any more against @storm #nrl I get they want the fairytale but really?? — Sandra Sully (@Sandra_Sully) October 2, 2016

Sully’s thoughts quickly gained traction and she posted a number of similar tweets as the match continued.

Look I get the #NRLGF fairytale but I want unbiased commentary & we are not getting that right now – whoever wins! — Sandra Sully (@Sandra_Sully) October 2, 2016

Quartermain and Sully were not the only ones tweeting about the broadcast, with fans also expressing disappointment at the coverage.

Sorry storm fans but just switched off, will not give channel 9 & sponsors any more airtime 4such 1 sided bias pro sharks coverage #GoStorm — The Same Olds (@grandoldgame) October 2, 2016

The only thing more frustrating than the @storm lack of tries is the channel 9 biased commentary #NRLGF #MelbourneProud — Claire (@WordsFromClaire) October 2, 2016

Do the channel 9 commentators realise there are two teams playing? #NRLGF #NRLStormSharks #biased — AxeMan78 (@AlexAxais) October 2, 2016

Great game!! Pity the commentators were so biased….lift your game channel 9 #9WWOS disgraceful!!! — michelle ford (@michell87520621) October 2, 2016

Yeah that's enough channel 9 for one year. Disgraceful coverage. Great game though #NRLGF — Matt (@Mattys123) October 2, 2016

Big TV ratings expected

The complaints came as Cronulla attempted to emulate the feats of the AFL’s Western Bulldogs, another team of underdogs who broke a 62-year premiership drought to rapturous scenes on Saturday.

Both events captured the imaginations of fans, with supporters from other clubs lending their support to the fairytale stories.

The compelling storylines translated into huge interest on television, with the AFL grand final recording the largest audience since Seven took back the broadcast rights in 2007.

More than 6.5 million viewers watched the game at its peak, with an average in the metro cities and regional homes of 4.089 million viewers – a jump of 16 per cent on last year.

According to OzTam, 91.2 per cent of people who had their television on were tuned to the footy. It was also the fourth-most watched game of AFL footy ever.

Despite the complaints of people watching the NRL season finale, massive television ratings were also expected.

Last year’s NRL grand final peaked at 4.4 million Australian viewers as the North Queensland Cowboys edged the Brisbane Broncos in thrilling circumstances.

And a similar number is expected when the figures are confirmed by the National Rugby League on Monday.

Of the top five programs on Australian television in 2015, four were rugby league matches.

That number includes last year’s decider and the three State of Origin fixtures played between New South Wales and Queensland.