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.

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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.