I’m both ways.
The old stooges need to be moved on.
The new stooges need to kept far away.
And this goes for any commercial media organisation involved with the NRL. Nine, Fox, 2GB, Triple M and Crocmedia - they have the worst commentators and presenters and “analysts” going around.
OK, so who would you like to see on Nine’s NRL coverage then?
Here’s a great idea.
Either -
One commentator. No analysts, if you must have a commentator. Can’t be a former NRL player, and must have a sufficient IQ to explain themselves properly.
OR
No commentator. Either let the crowd noise come through OR generate fake noise (I reckon they’ve done this already).
If you must employ a former NRL player, it should be a condition of employment that they go through monthly brain scans and IQ tests. 
One play by play caller, one “expert analyst” and one “sideline eye” is enough. Nine tend to have too many talking heads, there are often five or six of them.
Sadly it will struggle to break 50k in Melbourne, whilst Richmond v Collingwood on 7 could see 800k. If the Storm game had been played on Saturday night I think it could have attracted 250k+ in Melbourne with no AFL in competition .
Is there a reason why nine’s commentary isn’t heard in NZ or the UK anymore?
I’m guessing FOX Sports have a deal to distribute coverage to overseas broadcasters, some of which would have ties to News Ltd.
Does this mean overseas networks will get Fox Sports commentary for the live broadcast of NRL Grand Final on September 30?
Quite possibly
What an ‘ew’ schecule, unfortunate, but so bad for the Storm. But eh, noone could have forecast a Friday prelim between two of the biggest Melbourne AFL clubs for the first time in nearly 4 decades.
I can’t speak for the UK but NZ still gets Nine commentary during the grand final and State Of origin. (Sky NZ switched to Fox last year).
I do remember in 2010. when the Tigers-Roosters final went to extra time, Nine stayed with the match, and the other semi was underway when the first semi was over. I wonder these days, would one of the other Fox channels be used if in the first week, on the Saturday, the first match went that far?
Big Mistake in Scheduling the Game Against the AFL Preliminary.
I think given the influence of broadcasters these days, the 2nd game wouldn’t be allowed too start until the 1st game had finished.
Even during the home and away season, they usually allow 25 mins or so between the end of the first game and the start of the second game. e.g. A 2pm start usually results in a 3:45 finish before golden point, and the next game isn’t scheduled to kick off until 4:10pm.
A TRIBUTE TO JOHNATHAN THURSTON ON THE FOOTY SHOW TONIGHT AT THE SPECIAL TIME OF 8.30 PM
The two blockbuster Preliminary Finals to decide who survives for next week’s NRL Grand Final will be broadcast LIVE on Nine and 9Now.
But first, The Footy Show pays tribute to future Immortal Johnathan Thurston tonight in a two-hour special edition from the earlier time of 8.30pm AEST . JT will join host Erin Molan and former NRL stars Darren Lockyer and Ryan Girdler as they look back on his illustrious career.
The panel will also preview this week’s two Preliminary Finals and cross to Melbourne Storm superstar Billy Slater ahead of what could be his NRL swansong.In the 1st Preliminary Final at 7.00pm* on Friday, the Melbourne Storm meet the Cronulla Sharks at home. The Sharks go into the game with confidence after defeating the Storm twice this season. Billy Slater will line up against rival in-form fullback Valentine Holmes in what will be the champion’s last-ever game if the Storm lose. The Sharks will be sweating on the fitness of weary warriors Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen , who both picked up injuries in last week’s nailbiter against the Panthers.
In the 2nd Preliminary Final at 7.00pm *** on Saturday, the Roosters play the Rabbitohs in the battle of Sydney, with a packed house expected at the final game to be played at Allianz Stadium before it is rebuilt. The Roosters are without star centre Latrell Mitchell , suspended for a crusher tackle. The key may be the clash of the halfbacks, Adam Reynolds and Cooper Cronk , who have been at their clinical, match-winning best in recent weeks.
The inaugural NRL Women’s competition continues, as the Broncos and Warriors face off ahead of the 1st NRL Preliminary Final, while the Roosters play the Dragons before the 2nd Preliminary Final, with a place in the first NRLW Grand Final on the line for all four teams.
Broadcast Times
Friday, September 21
(NRLW) Warriors Vs Broncos
Sydney 5.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Brisbane 5.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Melbourne 5.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 4.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 3.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Friday, September 21
Storm Vs Sharks
Sydney 7.00pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.00pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Adelaide 6.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 5.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Saturday, September 22
(NRLW) Roosters Vs Dragons
Sydney 5.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Brisbane 5.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Melbourne 5.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 4.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 3.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Saturday, September 22
Roosters Vs Rabbitohs
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
FIVE DAYS OF FOOTY LIVE ON NINE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20:
- THE FOOTY SHOW – Tonight, LIVE at the special time of 8.30pm AEST on Nine, special guest Johnathan Thurston joins host Erin Molan and former NRL stars Darren Lockyer and Ryan Girdler as they look back on JT’s career and pay tribute to the future Immortal in a two-hour special.
The panel will preview the two Preliminary Finals and cross to Melbourne Storm superstar Billy Slater ahead of what could be his last-ever NRL game against the Sharks.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21:
WOMEN’S NRL – Warriors vs Broncos , from 5.00pm AEST* LIVE on 9Gem from AAMI Park. Former Jillaroos stars Jo Barrett, Allana Ferguson join Peter Sterling and Joel Caine in commentary, with James Bracey hosting.
1ST PRELIMINARY FINAL – Storm vs Sharks , LIVE from 7.00pm AEST* on Nine. Peter Sterling, Andrew Johns, Paul Vautin, Brad Fittler, Allana Ferguson, Mat Thompson and host James Bracey deliver all the action LIVE from AAMI Park in Melbourne.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22:
WOMEN’S NRL – Roosters vs Dragons , from 5.00pm AEST* LIVE on 9Gem from Allianz Stadium. Former Jillaroos stars Jo Barrett and Allana Ferguson join Phil Gould and Mat Thompson in commentary, with James Bracey hosting.
2ND PRELIMINARY FINAL – Roosters vs Rabbitohs , from 7.00pm AEST* LIVE on Nine. Ray Warren, Peter Sterling, Phil Gould, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Darren Lockyer, Allana Ferguson and host James Bracey deliver all the action LIVE from Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23:
SPORTS SUNDAY – Sunday, at 10.00am, LIVE on Nine. This week: host James Bracey is joined by former Australian netball star Liz Ellis, AFL legend Shane Crawford, former NRL star Adam MacDougall and racing personality Richard Freedman .
SUNDAY NRL FOOTY SHOW – Sunday, at 11.00am. Host Erin Molan will cover all the Preliminary Finals action with Brad Fittler, Peter Sterling, Darren Lockyer and Allana Ferguson . Special guests include Joel Caine to preview the ISP Grand Final, while Scott Sattler and Brent Tate preview the ISC Grand Final.
INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL – 3.00pm, on Nine in NSW. Jets vs Bulldogs at Leichhardt Oval. Caller Joel Caine will be joined in commentary by former Bulldogs and Jets player Phil Gould, former Dragons star Jamie Soward and former Jillaroo Allana Ferguson .
INTRUST SUPER CUP GRAND FINAL – 1.00pm AEST, on Nine in QLD. Dolphins vs Tigers at Suncorp Stadium. Scott Sattler will be joined by Peter Psaltis and Brent Tate in commentary.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24:
- 100% FOOTY – Monday, 10.40pm, on Nine. 100% Footy is the home of the strongest opinions in rugby league from the people who count. Phil Gould returns with Paul Gallen, alongside former Jillaroos captain Ruan Sims, journalist Neil Breen and host James Bracey . This week the panel discuss the fallout from the Preliminary Finals and preview the Grand Final.
Check local guides for details. Times will differ.
For the NZ test, i assume it will start at 8:30 NZT because of the 6pm news.
Johnathan Thurston made his first appearance as part of the commentary team tonight since signing a long-term deal with Nine, previewing the Storm-Sharks preliminary final.
He has made commentary appearances on Nine’'s NRL coverage before, but this would be his first in his new long term deal.
It looks like 9Now’s exclusive live streaming of next week’s NRL Grand Final will include extra camera angles similar to those offered during this year’s State of Origin series: main coverage, tryline cam, Spider Cam, as well cameras focusing on each competing team.
EDIT: during preview of last night’s preliminary final between the Roosters and the Rabbitohs, it was mentioned 9Now would offer referee cam and player cam focusing on specific players.
