Worst NRL commentators

[Jason Maher]

The better question is whether there are actually any good commentators...

 

[_snafu_]

I would fail Hodges in a concussion test after listening to him.

 

[Ron's_Mate]

The better question is whether there are actually any good commentators...

I don't mind Andrew Moore, who calls games on ABC radio. Used to like hearing Warren Ryan's analysis of games. He was driven out by ABC political correctness.

 

[mj]

Hadley without a doubt

 

[kbw]

How can you have a poll like this without Ray Warren at the top of the list.

 

[ed-grimley]

Lockyer is easily the worst I've heard in any sport let alone RL.

 

[captainwarrior]

The better question is whether there are actually any good commentators...

There are a few, most are on radio though. Andrew Moore as stated before is probably the best, Thirsty Morrow, Warren Smith, Blocker, Sterlo, the Big Marn and Matt Elliott are good too. Piggy Riddell bar his speech issues is quite good too.

 

[undertaker]

Yep Kevin Walters is up there with the worst ever.

He sounds like a slippery gypsy.

Although no longer at Fox, Scott Punce was another shocker as well:


As I mentioned in another thread, with all the money and planning Fox put into this 24hr league channel, seriously, couldn't they have found better talent? Walters, Tallis, Kimmorley, Bwaith, Shirvington....is that really the best that's on offer? And on top of that, the audacity to have a QLDers only RL show.....that hits the pitts more than Lara.

 

[undertaker]

Gus is the gold standard so he should be retired to the Hall of Fame.

Hadley though is pure garbage. Monotone, knows almost nothing about the game. I can't belive Sydney siders have listened to this guy on the radio for decades and his show is rates so highly.

QLDers had to put up with him on Bronco Night Football during the 2 Friday night game format. Maybe Ray can permanently relocate his radio show from Sydney to Brisbane: the folk up there deserve him.

 

[Nice Beaver]

He sounds like a slippery gypsy.

Although no longer at Fox, Scott Punce was another shocker as well:


As I mentioned in another thread, with all the money and planning Fox put into this 24hr league channel, seriously, couldn't they have found better talent? Walters, Tallis, Kimmorley, Bwaith, Shirvington....is that really the best that's on offer? And on top of that, the audacity to have a QLDers only RL show.....that hits the pitts more than Lara.

I didn't consider Shirvington because he doesn't actually call games, but holy shit he is bad.

He gets half way through a sentence then realises he has not worked out what he wants to say so slows his speech down to think while he babbles.

He is truly painful to watch.

He must have put his weapon to good use to get the gig, because he aint there for his on screen talent!

 

[undertaker]

Gee it's a shame we can only vote for one.

I just modified it so you can make 2 choices.

Personally think Andy Raymond is one massive tosser too. How f*cking good does he think he is??

Beau Ryan's impersonation of Andy Raymond back in 2011 is spot on:


It's amazing Raymond was one of the 3 lead callers at Fox for about a decade. He just didn't quite make the transition from sideline commentator to lead caller. Every time he tried to put enthusiasm and excitement into his call, I dunno.....I guess he didn't have the voice for it.

Also, found this interesting clip not long ago. Back when Andy Raymond didn't have a head like roll-on deodorant

.

Didn't recognise him initially

 

[undertaker]

He gets half way through a sentence then realises he has not worked out what he wants to say so slows his speech down to think while he babbles.

He is truly painful to watch.

I was just pissing myself laughing watching that video. Hadn't seen it for quite a while.

Regarding changing course halfway through a sentence and ending up sounding awkward, have you noticed that Brett Kimmorley does the exact same thing in his commentary?

Hadley. Sucks the emotion right out of the moment.
Koroibete runs 100m to score a try and makes it sound like a hitup.

I see his former colleague Blocker has picked up the Raaaaaaaay disease of using the term "centre three-quarter" during the Bulldogs vs Storm match on Friday. AAAAAAAAARGH! Soooooo annoying!

 

[undertaker]

Laurie Daley used to be painful used to state the obvious all the time. And then over exaggerated when ever a star player set up a try.

I actually didn't mind Gary Freeman he was never biased but once he said 'I think if this team is going to win they are going to have to score more points then there opposition.'

It's amazing Daley was the lead color commentator for Fox during 2001-12 (excluding 2008, when he was at Ch9) before leaving Fox to become NSW Origin coach. How he lasted that long, calling the marquee Fox games alongside Warren Smith, remains a mystery. He had the 'stating the obvious' disease (e.g. "Whichever team scores next wins the game"), as well as putting on an unnecessary inflexion in his voice at the end of each sentence. Also, his unhealthy obsession with the Dragons is another mystery, even when they played his old team Canberra.

Fox had several shockers before they revamped their commentary lineup in 2003.

- Brett Kenny, as great of a player as he was, always sounded like he just had a few beers at the pub before commentating a game.
- John McCoy was like Ray Hadley on ritalin. You would think you were more likely at the Saturday night rodeo or country dance rather than an NRL match. Always seemed to call Nth QLD Cowboys matches alongside Wally Lewis.

Freeman was interesting. His commentary during the 31-all draw between Roosters vs Warriors in 2007 remains a classic. However it was very obvious on numerous occasions that he had a punt on a particular team before a match he commentated, based on his frustration when a certain team was losing or made an unforced error. Whatever happened to him?

 

[MF88]

It's absurd that Gould won this poll. He's one of the only commentators in the game who provides genuine insight into RL. His feel for the game is far beyond anyone else on the list. It's part of why he was such a successful coach.

Yes, he's annoying at times, and has stupid hang-ups which he drones on about but how frivolous can you be to make that the metric? Listen to him in Origin. The guy knows football. He's observant, intuitive and can read a match in a way that no one else on that list can. The best commentary occurs when a person disregards the talking points, the pablum, the cliche and just calls it straight. No bullshit and isn't afraid to actually needle a player. Gould and Sterling do that far more than the others, and they couple it with accurate assessment of which the others are incapable.

Shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as Ray Warren, Hadley, etc.

 

[DiegoNT]

It's absurd that Gould won this poll. He's one of the only commentators in the game who provides genuine insight into RL. His feel for the game is far beyond anyone else on the list. It's part of why he was such a successful coach.

Yes, he's annoying at times, and has stupid hang-ups which he drones on about but how frivolous can you be to make that the metric? Listen to him in Origin. The guy knows football. He's observant, intuitive and can read a match in a way that no one else on that list can. The best commentary occurs when a person disregards the talking points, the pablum, the cliche and just calls it straight. No bullshit and isn't afraid to actually needle a player. Gould and Sterling do that far more than the others, and they couple it with accurate assessment of which the others are incapable.

Shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as Ray Warren, Hadley, etc.

The weird thing about the Gould hate is that Gould will say something, then 2 or 3 weeks later all the other commentators will be saying that same thing. Queenslanders and broncos supporters say he is biased against them yet he usually praises them massively and has great respect for them.

 

[DiegoNT]

Anyone who doesn't vote Andy Raymond isn't taking this poll seriously

 

[MilkShark]

It's absurd that Gould won this poll. He's one of the only commentators in the game who provides genuine insight into RL. His feel for the game is far beyond anyone else on the list. It's part of why he was such a successful coach.

I can't stand the guy but I agree.

Walters is by far the worst commentator.

 

[Captain Apollo]

It's amazing Daley was the lead color commentator for Fox during 2001-12 (excluding 2008, when he was at Ch9) before leaving Fox to become NSW Origin coach. How he lasted that long, calling the marquee Fox games alongside Warren Smith, remains a mystery. He had the 'stating the obvious' disease (e.g. "Whichever team scores next wins the game"), as well as putting on an unnecessary inflexion in his voice at the end of each sentence. Also, his unhealthy obsession with the Dragons is another mystery, even when they played his old team Canberra.

His "unhealthy obsession with the Dragons is another mystery" is not that much of a mystery. Daley was on the coaching staff at the Dragons for most of the period whilst Nathan Brown was their first grade coach. Ever since he always had a thing for the Dragons.

 

[madunit]

Anasta is the new Laurie Daley.

No insight, states the bleeding obvious, has the charisma of a struck match and the personality of dried out lawn clippings.

 

[FireFalcons1]

Ray Hadley has no emotion when he commentates, it's boring as f**k to hear his monotone voice !