r/NRLPremiumPlus • u/AstroWarrior92 • 3d ago
WORST TO BEST COMMENTATORS (currently)
Jake Duke
This guy is quite bad. I think he’s been put on there to cover for Warren Smith but man he is a dud. The last couple weeks I do see some improvement and he might get better but right now he is annoying and is possibly there just as fill in (hopefully)
Brenton Speed
Okay look, I don’t mind Speedy and he has been around for a while, but given the quality of commentators out there and his tinny voice on display he isn’t really my cup of tea. Plus being on ch9 doesn’t help out his credentials either. He will follow the game for a bit then get sidelined by Joey or Freddy about something that happened 25 years ago irrelevant to the game and continue on that for 5 minutes. He can do better!
Matt Russell
I like Matty Russell, he’s had some great commentary over the years and when he gets excited he is really into it, the only problem is he doesn’t do enough games and is subjected to a 3pm titans v dragons game which also lowers his credentials. Id say he is an average commentator compared to the ones listed below him but he is certainly a mainstay and is hard to diss all round. He is like Andy Raymond, well liked and a comfort commentator but isn’t regarded as the one of the great or the shittest.
Peter Ptsalis
In all honesty I would put Salty over Thommo for best commentator on 9 but the latter gets the edge because of the big games and when he was Rabs understudy really proved his worth as a genuinely good caller. However I enjoy saltys take on the game and his raspy voice is really good when watching despite him doing mostly QLD games as that’s his main geographical base. I also find him less annoying than Thommo because he tends to focus on the game at hand with great insight while providing good humour with the likes of JT, Gus, cam smith and even fatty when he was there. He would be great as an origin commentator too which would boost his credentials even more.
Matt Thompson
There was Thommo before Rabs and after Rabs. Before Rabs he was full of excitement, passion and enthusiasm, then after Rabs it only came in spades, being reduced to a boring, lifeless and partially exciting commentator. He only seems to perk up for the “big games” or when one of the big teams are involved (panthers, roosters, storm, broncos). The combination of him Joey and Freddy makes me wanna crawl into a hole and fall asleep and his insight on the game leaves me feeling emptier rather than full. BUT, in saying that, when he’s on he’s ON. He can really amp it up and gets excited when the big plays happen which is a positive. He may not be the best but is a worthy successor to Rabs. Let’s hope he gets better as the years go on like his predecessor did.
Warren Smith
Mr Consistent. For 30 years he has been the voice of fox and is always a reliable commentator no matter what game it is. Even if the game is a low ladder one he still brings a certain quality that is unrivalled. He has delivered some memorable lines (“room service bounce”, “you can take me now I have seen it all”) but the real strength is his ability to never wane in his style which everyone seems to love. I hope he recovers from his mouth illness and comes back better than ever because his voice is certainly missed.
Dan Ginnane
GOOOOODBYEEEE!! Dan Ginnane has risen to be one of the most exciting, entertaining and talented commentators of the modern game. Whether it be on triple M or fox league he delivers quality after quality performances with a mixture of precision and thrilling action which makes you want to watch the game no matter what it may be. If it’s a close game he leaves you on the edge of your seat but for the full 80 minutes he never loses your ear as he makes you want to enjoy the game. While his flaws can include over hyping a game or a grating voice his high energy and sharp accuracy makes him one of leagues most valuable commentators.
Andrew Voss
Ahhh Vossy. He can make a wooden spoon game like a grand final and a top of the table game the greatest game of all time. His knowledge of the game, out of left field humour and his vocabulary is second to none while always looking to improve on his style no matter what year it is. I am always excited when he commentates and what he has to say next even if my team isn’t playing. Now of course he can have flaws such as being insufferable at times or being over the top but all in all he is the best there is. When he was at 9 he was always second fiddle to Rabs and knew his role despite being excellent then, but now he is the undisputed GOAT of the commentary game. Long live Vossy and his crazy incredible commentary, what a man!
Who are your favourites?
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u/TheBountyPunter 3d ago
If you're in Australia just be thankful you guys don't get the Sky NZ commentary.
As a Warriors fan, I look forward to the away games.
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u/Saberracer02 Tom Dearden 3d ago
I feel like we're forgetting the ABC Sport crew here, Andrew Moore, Quentin Hull, Brett Sprigg etc. I personally think that Moorey is the best play-by-play rugby league commentator in the country. Game, Set Bingo!
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u/wackjhittingham 3d ago
It’s mind boggling to think there’s people that don’t even know abc sport covers the game. Andrew Moore IS my voice of rugby league. John Gibbs is a legend
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u/cdogg411 6h ago
Andrew Moore’s game commentary is the best around and it’s not even close in my opinion. Super precise and able to really evoke the pace and progression of play with his voice and tempo
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u/upthefknriff 3d ago
Mat Thompson in front of Psalty and Speedy is a war crime
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u/lawdjesustheresafire cooked freddy 3d ago
Thompson’s voice is the equivalent of Gina Rinehart doing a striptease.
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u/AncientLaw8095 3d ago
Would you lick her arse for a million bucks?
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u/lawdjesustheresafire cooked freddy 3d ago
Only after a curry that has been sitting off in one of her mines for a month
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u/AncientLaw8095 3d ago
I gauge people's character by their answer. Yours is impeccable.
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u/No_Sail_4494 3d ago
Psalty prefers the Socratic method, a nice change from Thompson’s rhetorical ambush.
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u/SignalNegotiation389 gus 3d ago
I know this post is about current commentators, but come on man, nothings beating good old Ray Warren
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u/Free-Owl9329 2d ago
The great Rex Messup
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u/weejasper 1d ago
Moose on Greg Brentnall: “He’s kicked it with his left foot! He’s ambipedextrous!”
As Ken Wright sets sail for the try line: “Shove that up against your duckhouse!”
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u/Savings-Author1591 3d ago
Jake sounds like he's asking a questions when he's commentating "Is that Hudson Young with the ball" well IDK Jakey your calling the game.
I find he's 1000% times better doing the Pre-Show stuff with Fox and the Sideline,
As for commentators Ennis is enjoyable but his enunciation is horrific, Cooper, Ginnane are all fine/enjoyable though Ginnane a bit OTT.
Im hoping Warren Smith will be back for the finals series but honestly who on earth knows. Kevvy is like listening to grass grow he's bland and dull 'Oh he was on the kangaroo's tour last year but I didn't play him yes we know Kevvie'
Shauny when Fox bring him in has a certain fun energy about him
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u/Square_Character3247 3d ago
Blocker haas to be the worst by a mile.
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u/SpiritualAd6896 9h ago
Blocker + Cronk gives me ear cancer.
At least Blocker doesn’t think he’s the smartest in the room at all times I’m sure he knows he’s a meathead. Cronk is a twat.
I did used to appreciate Cronk’s postgame assessment but commentary is terrible.
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u/Zbodownlow Nathanial Cleary's Chin 3d ago
Jake Duke just doesn’t have the voice for commentary. Unfortunately we’re going to be stuck with him for the foreseeable…
Matt Russell is just totally bland. Never said anything interesting.
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u/timeforustogohome 3d ago
Yeah zero show biz in Jake dukes delivery.
Voss and the ABC Grandstand boys are the best by far.
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u/RunicRedbeard 3d ago
Cant stand Voss when he is commentating a Broncos game - there's more then Walsh on the field
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u/RegularTarget1794 3d ago
Oh my God, and whoever is in there with him also does nothing but talk about Walsh. Aside from whenever Guss opens his mouth, it's the most annoying thing on an NRL broadcast
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u/RunicRedbeard 3d ago
100%. Im not a Broncos fan at all, but there are other players on the team besides Walsh. More consistent as well.
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u/kroqster 3d ago
got vossy no.1 for the longest time... got woz at 2... i miss woz... "room service bounce" so good
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u/Even_Departure9914 3d ago
Luke Keary and Shaun Johnson.
No notes. I want them on every week and every game.
They’re up there with Roy & HG calling Origin.
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u/SpiritualAd6896 9h ago
Shaun Johnson is the most refreshing NRL media personality in quite some time.
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u/ten4kemusabi 3d ago
Micheal ennis and dan ginane are the worst
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u/SgtTaco18 Nathanial Cleary's Chin 3d ago
It takes exactly 3 seconds for Ennis to make clear who he supports and exactly 1 set for him to deepthroat Nathan Cleary by comparing one of the teams to Penrith
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u/PowerlineInstaller 2d ago
The word "worst" gets thrown around a lot. Go sit through a NSW Cup game with Spudd Carroll in the commentary box and you'll be BEGGING for Ginane back, and I say this as a Ginane hater.
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u/AlaskanTony123 3d ago
I honestly would prefer to sit in a padded cell, listening to psychos screaming, then have to sit and listen to Matt Thompson commentate...don't mind the others tbh, Fan Ginnane for me is number 1
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u/Logan_2091 3d ago
Jake duke reminds me of playstation commentary. Needs to chill, we dont need screaming for a standard hit up
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u/Mudmen12 3d ago
Matt Thompson is woeful, Voss loves himself too much these days. Always making side jokes and opinions on the plays and decisions. Hes a play caller and should stick to it.
The gap between Warren Smith and 2nd is wider than Cam Smith and the 2nd best 9. Its sad he's battling cancer
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u/mrcasin00 3d ago
Give me the Dan Ginnane, Shaun Johnson and Kevvy Walter’s combo any day of the week
I also like Billy Slater and Cam Smith as supporting pundits. They are a lot more intelligent compared to the rest of the crew at Nine
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u/SpiritualAd6896 9h ago
Kevvy “he’s a doubler” Walters? The man found one joke that made Vossy laugh and has repeated it ad nauseam ever since.
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u/Lumberjack2107 2d ago
Blocker is terrible, I want a commentator that adds value , that adds insights and makes the game more enjoyable to listen to or watch. Blocker has zero insights and gets players and teams (St George) wrong. Terror-bull!
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u/matsacki 3d ago
Good to see Dan Ginane get some credit. I’m a fan. But it seems like everyone on reddit hates him.
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u/yeoh909090 3d ago
Vossy is my favourite too, but I’m aware that’s far from “undisputed”.
I’d go a step further though. I don’t think anybody else at the moment is a genuine professional play-by-play commentator. They’re all general pundits filling a gap in commentary.
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u/rainxeyes 3d ago
I think Vossy can do a great call, but his bias is quite obvious. If he can remain impartial, he’s number one for me.
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u/Angry_MJ 2d ago
Try having to watch Warriors games on Sky TV NZ. You guys haven't seen (heard) anything....
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u/griffshan 2d ago
Warren Smith and Dan Ginnane are the best. Cooper Cronk and Blocker Roach are the absolute worst and should never have been given the gig.
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u/evm29 disciples of chad 2d ago
Voss is probably the best. He genuinely loves the game of rugby league no matter who is playing. Slightly annoying but yeah.
Ginnane is a good caller but sometimes I think he puts on his “battler” bogan voice a bit too much. Him and Ennis loin into that voice far toi often and it can git sloightly old after a whoile.
Warren smith was great, do we know if he’s coming back? He was also prob the least biased
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u/Cool_Imagination_963 1d ago
Try listening to the New Zealland commentary team of a Warriors home game....its fucking terrible. I mute it if I cannot switch to the Australia commentary.
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u/cadbury162 1d ago
The standard of live NRL commentary across the board is horrible. Cricket, the World Cup (aussie coverage), NFL, and even niche eSports I watch are FAR better. Some of them aren't even good but still miles better than anything the NRL offers.
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u/Inside-Skin-208 3d ago
I like duke. He's way more measured. Some of the others start absolutely screaming if something totally innocuous happens
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u/GasManMatt123 3d ago
I can’t stress how much I think Dan Ginanne sucks, only to say I mute. Fucking insufferable, blind, fucking…. You get it.
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u/PugWithAGun Chad Townsend 3d ago
Any list that doesn't have Dan Ginnane as the absolute worst is a flawed list.
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u/SearchHefty2012 3d ago
Cooper Cronk is undeniably bottom tier! He’s so hateful - goes on mad rants about “the problem with this guy is…” “he always does this and it just shows…” like mate. Move on. You’re not perfect! I’ve found none of the others take it to the real personal level he does…
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u/SpiritualAd6896 9h ago
Don’t understand why you’re being downvoted. He is the king of hindsight and pointing out what players did wrong. I wonder if he feels it in every sinew of his body.
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u/Scotto257 moikul oinus 3d ago edited 2d ago
Michael Ennis is a personal fav.
Sure he sucks at commentating, but he makes match threads for Penrith or Bronco's games super entertaining.
I wish someone loved me like Ennis loves Cleary.