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The Rumours Thread

Inisai Toga

Juniors
Messages
1,501
I thought Ron was the biggest stirrer of the trio but entertaining; Mossop was bloody good imo and personally miles ahead of anyone calling over the past 25 years. You knew he’d barrack for Manly sure, but he gave it to them and could be critical often when warranted; also, preferred the minimal sideline support not like the army of people on the sideline today. Frank had a bit of class about him. Despite their great playing careers they were good broadcasters in their own right imo.

Hyde and Mossop both respected and knew the game and actually called the bloody game and each play, not this conversational style crap we have today. The main thing was they critiqued the game and players, didn’t gossip or over eulogise standard plays, or current and ex players and share ‘in jokes’ ad nauseam. I personally miss their presentation style of Rugby League a lot.
 
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gregstar

Referee
Messages
20,395
I found the three of them absolutely appalling.
Rex was an absolute bumbler.
Casey's head was so far up his arse, his Adam's apple was a pile.
And Frank Hyde was from the 18th century.

I thought the ABC commentators for the most part were better than them all by a f**cking mile.
And I agree with Toga here - the current mob are shite.
 

Phantom V

Juniors
Messages
539
Oh for the days of Ron Casey , Rex ‘ absolutely flabbergasted ‘ Mossop and Frank ‘ it’s long , it’s high and it’s straight between the posts ! ‘ Hyde .

Those 3 gentlemen always called a spade a spade , not fearful of their respective T.V. stations as are the balless cretins who pass for announcers today .
A bit before my time Gareth but I’ve heard some of Hyde’s calling and he was one of a kind that’s for sure. I grew up on the Decibel Duo, Hartley and Peters and loved their banter and I always thought Hartley was a good caller of the game.
 

Draginzaaar

Bench
Messages
3,506
As you and @blacksafake have articulated, the 6 again is a stain on the game.

It has changed the very fabric of Rugby League. Our game was never meant to have arbitrary calls resetting the tackle count at will. There's a reason we have penalties and sin bins. They are also subjective but subject to scrutiny. The ref ( rightly or wrongly ) calls off side, ruck infringement, high tackle etc.

The 6 again has zero accountability as the game still flows. The callers just mention it, and the fans sit there thinking " what was that for ".

The game was fine before it. Too many rule changes and bear in mind, now its ONE ref making all the calls. I fricken hate it.
The game has never had so much support. Ratings and crowds are up. Just saying.
 

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,467
Boland and Spillaine on the ABC Saturday games were my favourites
Debbie ahead of her time commenting and commentating on rugby league. Least she did not make it about herself and did not ask the today''s stereotyped feel good questions and discuss the fluff. I dont know if she ever played any sort of contact sport but she seemed to have a good knowledge. She took what was said in interviews good or bad and like water off a ducks back.
 

Dragon David

First Grade
Messages
8,430
Oh for the days of Ron Casey , Rex ‘ absolutely flabbergasted ‘ Mossop and Frank ‘ it’s long , it’s high and it’s straight between the posts ! ‘ Hyde .

Those 3 gentlemen always called a spade a spade , not fearful of their respective T.V. stations as are the balless cretins who pass for announcers today .
This is for you Gareth -
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
17,343
I thought Ron was the biggest stirrer of the trio but entertaining; Mossop was bloody good imo and personally miles ahead of anyone calling over the past 25 years. You knew he’d barrack for Many sure, but he gave it to them and could be critical often when warranted; also, preferred the minimal sideline support not like the army of people on the sideline today. Frank had a bit of class about him. Despite their great playing careers they were good broadcasters in their own right imo.

Hyde and Mossop both respected and knew the game and actually called the bloody game and each play, not this conversational style crap we have today. The main thing was they critiqued the game and players, didn’t gossip or over eulogise standard plays, or current and ex players and share ‘in jokes’ ad nauseam. I personally miss their presentation style of Rugby League a lot.
Great post

Mossop was light years ahead of anyone else in the way he called the game then or now.

Nothing was contrived it all happened naturally as the game unfolded and his voice naturally moderated to what was happening on the field at that precise time.

His calls when Slippery Morris broke into the clear were simply iconic as his voice went from normal to frenetic

“He’s gapped them, he’s torn them to shreds”

His joy at watching great football unfold was equal to that of any fan of the club concerned and his infectious laugh at some of the piss poor punches thrown was hilarious.

He had an enduring love and feel for the game.
 
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Messages
14
The most infuriating aspect of modern rugby league 'journalism' is the requirement for an interviewer to ask an unnecessarily long question - essentially framing every aspect of a game or other scenario before finally allowing the interviewee to answer.

"So how did it feel to win out there today (the point at which they should stop), given the lead up to the game, when your Dad got arrested for DUI, your dog ran away, McDonalds cancelled the Texas BBQ burger, the unusual rash in your crotch was reported to be something other than an allergic reaction to chlorine in the spa bath, and your daily horoscope said that with the moon in Uranus you might feel a need to try a new hobby..."
 

mbk78

Juniors
Messages
290
The most infuriating aspect of modern rugby league 'journalism' is the requirement for an interviewer to ask an unnecessarily long question - essentially framing every aspect of a game or other scenario before finally allowing the interviewee to answer.

"So how did it feel to win out there today (the point at which they should stop), given the lead up to the game, when your Dad got arrested for DUI, your dog ran away, McDonalds cancelled the Texas BBQ burger, the unusual rash in your crotch was reported to be something other than an allergic reaction to chlorine in the spa bath, and your daily horoscope said that with the moon in Uranus you might feel a need to try a new hobby..."
Hilarious but, sadly, very true. And the response? "It felt good. The boys dug deep."
 

Slippery Morris

First Grade
Messages
7,702
I like Vossy, Ginane and Warren Smith. I rate them higher than all commentators out there now on radio or tv. THey are unbiased and call a spade a spade. If they see a decision they are not afraid to call it. NRL360 should be hosted by one of them and nobody else. On the panel should be ex-players or coaches not a journo and definitely not a player manager. Ikin was perfect and I know Braith is an ex-player but he is currently a player manager who is highly biased on his club. Ikin was no way near biased towards the Broncos.

The Channel 9 commentary since Rabs is gone has gone bad to worse. But replacing the great Rabs would be hard as he was the best ever caller for me and irreplaceable.
 

Gareth67

First Grade
Messages
8,494
gee your old
I was going to mention one of the best - in my humble opinion - and that was Tiger Black , however only we other old oaks would know him .

He brought the listener right into the middle of the scrum - fists with the odd stray boot included !

It was so realistic that I would check myself for any bloodstains after the match ! 🤕
 
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Phantom V

Juniors
Messages
539
I like Vossy, Ginane and Warren Smith. I rate them higher than all commentators out there now on radio or tv. THey are unbiased and call a spade a spade. If they see a decision they are not afraid to call it. NRL360 should be hosted by one of them and nobody else. On the panel should be ex-players or coaches not a journo and definitely not a player manager. Ikin was perfect and I know Braith is an ex-player but he is currently a player manager who is highly biased on his club. Ikin was no way near biased towards the Broncos.

The Channel 9 commentary since Rabs is gone has gone bad to worse. But replacing the great Rabs would be hard as he was the best ever caller for me and irreplaceable.
Don’t like Ginane. He pronounces some words like he’s in Shakespearian play.
Chuuuunce, duuuuunce etc.
 

Gareth67

First Grade
Messages
8,494
I found the three of them absolutely appalling.
Rex was an absolute bumbler.
Casey's head was so far up his arse, his Adam's apple was a pile.
And Frank Hyde was from the 18th century.

I thought the ABC commentators for the most part were better than them all by a f**cking mile.
And I agree with Toga here - the current mob are shite.
You missed your calling buddy , should had been a commentator yourself .

You and Reg Regan would had made a great team ! ☺️
 
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