Must mean Ray Warren is in Melbourne for Storm v Cowboys.
Bit surprised he hasn’t called a game yet this weekend.
Yeah Rabs left the dead set legends on triple m early to go to Melbourne. I think he is doing the game tomorrow as well.
Given that the Raiders vs Sharks game coverage didn’t finish until 7.35pm, am wondering how Nine in Melbourne handled the late start, which was scheduled locally for 7.30pm eg. did the last few minutes of Raiders and Sharks appear on Nine in Melbourne?
Are Nine in Melbourne using a FOX feed?
If so, who at GTV put “State Of Origin” on there?
If that is indeed the case, I’d say it’s all been brought about suddenly by the late finish to the earlier game. GTV looks to have been caught napping here.
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GTV used Nine’s feed and during the first half I did not see State of Origin on the graphics.
Also, GTV added more ads so RBT finished at 7.37pm when NRL telecast switched from 9Gem to Nine.
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Thanks!
Phew… That’s a relief.
According to post at Whirlpool, the “State Of Origin” graphic was definitely a FOX Sports error.
TWO MASSIVE NRL SEMI-FINALS THIS WEEKEND
A mouth-watering Cowboys vs Broncos grand final rematch and a Panther attack at the home of the Viking clap is set to headline week two of the NRL Finals LIVE and FREE on Nine.
With the leading commentary team in the game led by “the voice of rugby league,” Ray “Rabs” Warren, Nine’s semi-final coverage starts tomorrow night when the Cowboys host the Broncos in a sudden-death semi-final at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville.
For the second week in a row, Brisbane find themselves in an all-Queensland do-or-die clash. The Cowboys will go in as favourites, and with their last three meetings decided by a single point this one promises to be another thriller.
Channel Nine rugby league expert Wally Lewis is expecting action aplenty when these two rugby league powerhouses collide.
“I know the Broncos under Wayne Bennett will relish the underdog tag and take great pleasure in ending the Cowboys season in a revenge act for last year’s grand final.
“The Cowboys are determined to become the first team in 23 years to record back-to-back premierships, but the standard of every team that remains guarantees that this is a near impossible task. Yet any team under the direction of Johnathan Thurston can never be underestimated. The home ground advantage is the reason for me tipping the Cowboys.”
On Saturday night Nine is at the hostile home of the Raiders, GIO Stadium in Canberra, where the Panthers will lay all their attacking aces on the table in the second semi-final.
Although key playmakers Josh Hodgson and Blake Austin are under an injury cloud, the Raiders remain lethal and will be looking to take advantage of the Panthers’ inconsistent defence.
Dissecting this sudden-death clash, Channel Nine’s Andrew Johns believes there will be a distinct flavour of attack on Saturday night.
Johns said: “The Panthers have come of age in recent weeks with a refreshing game plan that has abandoned the copycat style most NRL teams use in attack. The ability of Matt Moylan, Nathan Cleary, Bryce Cartwright and Tyrone Peachey to trust their instincts and play according to whatever the defensive line presents has been the key in their winning run.
“The Raiders have some slick outside backs and a brutal forward pack but they rely heavily on Josh Hodgson to steer them around the park and create opportunities. Whether he plays remains to be seen.
“If the Panthers backline get going, watch out. I’m tipping them to win in a tight one.”
Join our expert commentary team of Ray Warren, Yvonne Sampson, Peter Sterling, Phil Gould, Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer, Brad Fittler, Wally Lewis and Mathew Thompson for all the action this weekend LIVE and FREE across the nation on Nine and 9GEM.
BROADCAST TIMES
Friday 16 September
North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos
Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 5.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Saturday 17 September
Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers
Sydney 7.00pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.00pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 6.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 5.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
E&OE 
According to the Herald Sun TV guide, Saturday’s preliminary final between the Storm and the Raiders will be shown on Nine in Melbourne from 7pm to 10pm (kick off 7.40pm).
Nine’s PR/promo department asleep at the wheel again no doubt… then they’ll wonder why it rated so low.
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It should rate higher than 74k this time, as for the most part, there is no AFL overlap as the Giants vs Bulldogs game finishes at 8pm.
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I wonder if Rabs will do one final with Thompson doing the other?
If that were to be the case, you’d imagine that Ray Warren would most likely commentate the Sharks vs Cowboys game over the Storm vs Raiders game?
NRL PRELIMINARY FINALS
Viewers will get two epic NRL preliminary finals LIVE and FREE on Channel Nine and 9GEM this weekend: Sharks vs Cowboys and Storm vs Raiders, in the showdowns that will decide the 2016 Grand Finalists.
With the leading commentary team in the game led by “the voice of rugby league,” Ray “Rabs” Warren, Nine’s preliminary finals coverage starts tomorrow night when the Sharks put their premiership credentials to the acid test against the reigning premiers at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
The Sharks come into the clash fresh after a week off while the Cowboys are riding high after their scintillating win in extra time against the Broncos last week in which Johnathan Thurston starred again.
Despite the Cowboys’ performance, Channel Nine rugby league expert Peter Sterling believes it’s the Sharks’ time to shine.
“The week off is an enormous advantage at this time of year and it’s a huge plus for the Sharks leading into this match-up against a side that was tested to the maximum physically and mentally last week,” he said.
“It will not be easy for the defending premiers to travel after their gut-wrenching victory against the Broncos but we are talking about a team that includes the game’s best player, Johnathan Thurston, and the game’s most damaging ball runner in Jason Taumalolo.
“The Sharks have a sniff of their first premiership victory here in Sydney and I’m confident that they can take advantage of being well rested and make it through to the decider next week.”
On Saturday night at AAMI Park in Melbourne, a showdown looms between the best two hookers in the game: Storm captain Cameron Smith and the challenger to his No.1 status, Josh Hodgson of the Raiders.
Storm halfback Cooper Cronk, in his 300th NRL match, will dictate the way this game is played in tandem with the scheming Smith.
After defeating the Storm in Canberra in round 23 the Raiders have gained a load of self-belief, and their destructive and unpredictable centre-wing combination of Joseph Leilua and Jordan Rapana is capable of turning the game on its head.
Channel Nine rugby league expert Darren Lockyer believes the start will be crucial for the Raiders.
“If the Raiders are going to beat the Storm they have to start well,” he said. “They’ll need key forwards Paul Vaughan, Junior Paulo and Josh Papalii to leave a path of destruction in the opening exchanges, and from there they can upset the Storm who can get frustrated when behind on the scoreboard.
“However, if the Raiders find themselves behind they lack experience in the key roles to find their way back into the game.
“The Storm also like to emphasise milestones more than any other club in the competition, and with Cooper Cronk playing his 300th NRL match that will definitely work against the Raiders.”
Joining the telecast is injured Storm, Maroons and Kangaroos fullback Billy Slater, who outlined the heightened sense of occasion for the Storm after losing in a preliminary final at home in 2015.
“Last year I think we fell short due to lack of experience with our young forwards, but behind closed doors this would have been addressed. This year’s group understands the opportunity they have and how valuable it is to capitalise.
“The Raiders can have an advantage if they throw caution to the wind and use their big bodies to pull the Storm defence apart with constant offloads and ad-lib play.”
Join Nine’s expert commentary team of Ray Warren, Yvonne Sampson, Peter Sterling, Phil Gould, Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer, Brad Fittler, Wally Lewis, Mathew Thompson and Billy Slater for all the action this weekend LIVE and FREE across the nation on Nine and 9GEM.
BROADCAST TIMES
Friday 23 September
Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys
Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 5.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Saturday 24 September
Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders
Sydney 7.00pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.00pm LIVE on Nine
Adelaide 6.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 5.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
The 7.30 start time in Queensland is because of River Fire 6.30-7.30.
Nine’s spiel that TV Cynic has posted confirms that Ray will call Sharks vs Cowboys, but also suggests that Mat Thompson will call Storm vs Raiders.
Thompson did work at 2GB-doing around the grounds and some play by play, and also did a game on Triple M during ANZAC Day a few years ago.
Seems he has got very lucky with various circumstances at Nine which will probably result in him becoming their lead NRL caller when Ray Warren retires.
A decent caller but I feel Nine needs to get a Warren Smith type.
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Well Next Sunday: Grand Final Day
11am Sunday Footy Show: Grand Final Edition
1:30pm Holden Cup Grand Final
Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters
3:45pm Interstate Challenge
Burleigh Bears vs Illawarra Cutters
6pm Nine News
6:30pm NRL Grand Final Pre Show
7:15pm NRL Grand Final
Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm