Possible female sideline commentator for Fox Sports

[aussies1st]

Canberra Raiders star Simon Woolford has been axed from his sideline commentary role at Fox Sports under sweeping changes introduced by new boss Gary Burns to get more glamour into the NRL.

Like the Big Bash cricket, where Sarah Jones and Jessica Yates have done so well, Burns wants to use female reporters on the sidelines at league matches.

I'm hearing Lara Pitt is first cab off the rank. She is a fanatical Dragons supporter and has an excellent all-round knowledge of the game.

"You don't want token females," Burns says. "Some of the girls at Fox Sports know the game and you don't have to be a former player to be on the sideline. They monitor changes, conditions and do interviews."

Melanie McLaughlin is another who would do well. She is a soccer expert but has a segment on the Parramatta Eels iphone app and knows the game.

Burns won't be making big changes. He likes Laurie Daley and Greg Alexander and has a high opinion of Warren Smith. "Warren is potentially the next Ray Warren," he says. "That's how highly I regard him."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/t20-gives-nrl-a-bashing/story-e6freye0-1226233903246

 

[Moffo]

how about this bird? she'd go ok

 

[Danish]

If their knowledge of the game is anything like the chick on the league lounge, it will be very frustrating very quickly.

As long as they actually know what they are talking about though (being a fan does not equate to being knowledgeable either) then it will be fine.

 

[Frances the Mute]

Alana Smith, classy looking and intelligent.

 

[innsaneink]

 

[Slammin_Saint89]

Get that chick in that does AFL commentating on 10....it is the worst thing you have ever heard!

 

[Canard]

So the article starts off talking about "sweeping changes" and then finishes saying that there want be any "big changes"????

 

[Twizzle]

If they want to improve the quality of the broadcast they should just pick the best available person, I dont see what their gender has to do with anything.

 

[Canard]

Losing the male version of Liz Smylie in Woolford is a good start though.

 

[TheRam]

About freakin time. I would also look at getting rid of Daley though. He is absolute shite. My aim would be to eventually find that magical girl that can hold her own as a commentator in the box with the rest of the boys. That is the holly grail.

 

[NRL-TGG]

As long as they don't have a annoying whinging voice like Jess Yates and conduct themselves professionally then there is no problem.

 

[Jason Maher]

Get that chick in that does AFL commentating on 10....it is the worst thing you have ever heard!

Easy to get a gig when your dad is Mick Malthouse...

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Bring back Debbie Spillane.

 

[boxhead]

If they want to improve the quality of the broadcast they should just pick the best available person, I dont see what their gender has to do with anything.

This.
Woolford was terrible, they need to axe Laurie Daley and the guy that partners Gary Belcher as well in my opinion. Mel McLaughlin and Alana Smith would be great candidates alongside Lara Pitt, as far as the Fox Sports commentators I know; Smith is an avid Tigers fan I think. Aside from their support of a team they are each tactful and incisive in their commentary and perception, and even if for example Lara doesn't know the sport too well she will learn through experience, like any fan new to the game.

Now we need Channel 9 to ditch half their commentary team filled with sexist prejudices and we can move from there in making rugby league a sport, like football, that isn't restricted by aging prejudicial beliefs and values.

 

[axl rose]

Bring back Debbie Spillane.

Dear God no. Should it really be as hard as it seems to find good commentators. Despite Debbie Spitoon the ABC had some good ones back in the day with Boland, Peter Jackson, Peard.

 

[CC_Roosters]

praying for lara pitt, she would do fine. Pity about being a dragons fans though

 

[gallagher]

Bring back Debbie Spillane.

She's as much as a woman as Rebeca Wilson.

 

[supera]

i gotta say, i'm surprised by the lack of AFL trolls suggesting that a rugby league dressing room is the last place a woman should be.

standards are slipping!

 

[Yosemite Sam]

There was a female sideline commentator for many of the Warriors home games last year, not sure of her name. She had a deep raspy voice.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

There was a female sideline commentator for many of the Warriors home games last year, not sure of her name. She had a deep raspy voice.

Darren Lockyer?