Football fans on social media have criticized Channel Nine’s coverage of the NRLW and NRLW State Championships.
The Norths Devils claimed a 20-18 victory against the Newtown Jets this afternoon in the NRL State Championship, while the Sydney Roosters withstood a fierce comeback from the Cronulla Sharks to win top spot in the NRLW.
The Roosters would withstand attacks from the Sharks to seal a 32-28 victory and their second premiership in the last three years.
Channel Nine has exclusive rights to broadcast all the action from Grand Final day at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, and there has been a lot of talk about the broadcaster in the run-up to Grand Final day.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Nine had removed league legend Phil Gould from its coverage of the NRL Grand Final between Penrith and Storm tonight.
Mat Thompson is expected to call the match, while Andrew Johns and Queensland boss Billy Slater will be on hand to provide expert analysis.
Penrith Panthers to face Melbourne Storm in NRL grand final on Sunday afternoon
The Norths Devils celebrate after beating the Newtown Jets in the NRL State Championship
Meanwhile, Sydney recorded a 32-28 victory against the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday.
But fans have lashed out at Channel Nine’s coverage of Grand Final day, with some calling it a “disgrace”.
Despite that, fans flocked to Channel Nine for its Grand Final day coverage, with some claiming its coverage of the NRL State Championship earlier this afternoon was below par.
‘Does anyone think Channel 9’s coverage of the NRL grand final is ridiculous?’ one wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
‘I just talk nonsense and laugh during the state championship final, without even talking about the game. I know it’s not the greatest game, but at least try to make an effort. #nrl #nrlgranfinal.’
Gould had been dropped from the NRL Grand Final team and was instead giving commentary for the state championship final today.
But he was also criticized by some X users, with some telling him to “shut up.”
“Gus Gould making the comment about this game ‘I love spider cam’ Me ‘I’ll give you a dollar to shut up!’ #nrlgrandfinal,” one wrote.
Another added: ‘Gus…please…staaahhhhhp #CommentatorsCurse.’
‘This is atrocious coverage by Channel Nine. They didn’t even show the presentation of the trophy to the Norths Devils. The sooner we have another station, the better!’ another added in the State Championship.
Some on Reddit criticized Nine’s commentary team, writing: “Damn, I hate Nine’s commentary team.”
Soem fans branded Nine’s coverage “atrocious” after failing to show the Norths Devils’ trophy celebration.
‘Now I have to watch the GF on @NRLonNine. I suppose only four times a year have I endured the worst television coverage and commentary.’
Ahead of the NRLW Grand Final, some fans were left outraged by the lack of concentration at the NRLW Grand Final in the run-up to the Roosters and Sharks clash.
’30 minutes of #NRLWGF & the Nine’s coverage simply said “We’re counting down to the big game, the game between the Storm and Panthers tonight” and then transitioned seamlessly into a message about violence against women and how It starts with disrespect,” one wrote.
‘Who’s going to tell him?’ they added.
‘Has anyone noticed that with all the preparations for the NRL grand final there has barely been any mention of the women’s grand final on the same day?
Others claimed that Nine had not learned from his mistakes at the Olympics.
‘Especially on Channel Nine, who covers both games? I say shame on you. Sexism is still alive and well in sport in Australia.’
Before the Men’s Grand Final, the stadium announcers paid tribute to several retired players from across the league.
Among the retiring class of 2024 are several Origin legends including Aaron Woods, Chris McQueen and Dale Finucane.
But some fans were outraged by how little time they were given to cheer on each retiring player.
‘Not even giving people the opportunity to cheer on every player who retires. #NEXT #nrlgf #nrl,’ wrote one.
Another added: “Channel Nine is a disgrace.”
“The game hasn’t even started yet and NineNow has already shit the bed, obviously not learning from the Olympics.”
Storm and the Panthers exchanged tries in the first 20 minutes of the match, but fans were left unhappy with some of the Channel Nine commentary, with X fans punching Andrew Johns.
Some fans took to X to criticize Channel Nine’s audio and commentator Andrew Johns.
Australian rapper and singer The Kid LAROI took to the stage before the NRL Grand Final to provide pre-match entertainment, but some fans were left baffled by the performance.
Some claimed that LAROI could not be heard during his performance nor was he visible through a cloud of smoke.
“Someone needs to relax in the smoke machine here, no one can see LAROI,” one wrote, another added: “If the NRL wanted the crowd to sleep before the game, this pre-game “entertainment” is the way to do it . #NRLGranFinal.’
Others criticized The Kid LAROI’s pre-game entertainment, while overseas viewers also criticized Sky Sports’ coverage.
Meanwhile, other viewers watching Grand Final day around the world were equally outraged by the coverage.
Some Sky Sports tuners in the UK were left with just a camera view of the pitch from high in the stadium rafters and no commentary or views of the match preparations.
‘It is clear that Sky have been given the wrong information for the NRL Grand Final. Instead of Channel 9’s pre-game, we only received a broadcast of the game,” one wrote.
‘@SkySports pre-game viewing of the @NRL Grand Final has been abysmal. It has been broadcasting since 08:30 and has had 2 minutes of live coverage.’
Another added: ‘@SkySportsRL What the hell is going on with you covering the @NRL Grand Final? There is no preparation, just an image of the pitch interspersed with advertisements. It’s just not good enough.