So big comments made, rightfully so, on the disrespect the media had on not only Parramatta but Steve Ella, who was not only an Indigenous man but one of the great Centres to play this game. Played for NSW and Australia. But it has not surprised me, Friday night was Souths night, so called the Indigenous club. The pre-game, nothing but Souths, Walker and Trell, did not even have footage of Parramatta warming up or even in the sheds beforehand. Cause we weren't the story, Souths were. They have a few indigenous boys, are going well and are an older club that could win another comp. Us? Well we do not have players the media adores, Cronulla in 2016 had Gallen, JT for NQ in 2015, Souths were a good story overall but also had Inglis in 2014, Roosters with Cronk in 2018 and 19, Even the Penrith boys from now on. Players that the media loves. None of our players are media darlings that is why as a club we get shafted. Honestly that is not a bad thing but can be bad in the sense of leaning in the way of winning. I mean the NRL seem to love stories yet bypass the story of Parramatta finally breaking their premiership drought, why? We have nobody to root for. No legend to root for or a superstar. I mean look at Fox League and Triple M and Channel 9, they get current players from time to time to do commentary, never once get an Eels player. Yet get Aaron Woods who can barely string a sentence together or Scott Drinkwater who had as much personality as a brick wall. But media love the club in sense of our downfall sells papers due to our fanbase.
It is the way the media are today. Corey Paker yesterday, Cronulla v Newcastle, when Ponga got hit in the head he goes "The whole crowd gasped when he got hit" Like really? Unless you are a Newcastle fan you couldn't care less. Not like if i was there as a neutral fan i would be like "Oh no, i paid my money to watch this game, what is the point if Ponga is not playing considering he has played well in only 40% of games hes been in". Like the Taylan May suspension or when a big name player misses an Origin or a GF and people say "Oh don't let them miss an Origin or a GF" well do not do the wrong thing? But the media just wants these players around.
Like yes we can, as League fans, appreciate a great player. But don't make it that people only go to watch a player, i mean i go to watch Parramatta play. If i go to a random game i go to watch footy and react as it goes. If a player gets hurt i just think about my supercoach or betting that is it. In a fortnight's time i will be going to Wests v Canberra when we have the bye as i have two mates that go for either team, 1 Wests 1 Canberra, and live locally to Campbelltown, so i am going for a night at the footy and some banter. If Wighton goes down am i going to gasp and that? I couldn't care less to be honest, i hope he will be ok overall but in terms of whether my viewing experience is altered not really.
Look at American media, they can be the same sometimes but they have shows where a player or a team are criticised when appropriate, England with EPL also. More so then our media. But the constant talk around certain players. Same with Kyle Flanagan how he was shafted by Easts then couldn't get a run at Canterbury and all the media were like how is he not getting a run, uhhhh maybe he is not good enough? Same with Sam Walker, every night on NRL 360 they talk about him and he should be back in FG. Suaalii before he debuted was a joke, they had it on 2GB news before he debuted saying "Joseph Suaali'i has been named 18th man for the Roosters and could debut tonight" He didn't play, like seriously. Now he has signed with Union all of a sudden the talk of him playing poor has come up, he was an Origin shoe in at the start of the year, now? Not even mentioned in top 30 for NSW. Matt Moylan was the same in early 2010's, bloke could sneeze and get a standing ovation. Now, realising he is not as good as they let on, his talk is limited to being a role player at Cronulla.
Now players like Teddy, Turbo, Nicho all are great players and deserve the hype. It is when you bring in the "You pay to see them play" card that i cannot stand. Warren Smith seems to be the only commentator of late who doesn't fall into these traps. Dan Ginnane did not, he is my fav commentator, but on Friday i considered turning him off, the rubbish he was saying with Ennis was dreadful. I was so disappointed as he is someone who can tell it like it is. Though on the Get em' Onside podcast he did say "Rabbits 13+" Then in the space of 5 mins said "This was meant to be a hammering" about 6-7 times. In other words, this night was about Souths, this is not the script that was meant to happen. Plus i bet 13+ Souths, even though he says he never bets on games he commentates he still wants to be right. I still really like him but without Ennis.
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No offence but Dan Ginnane is one of the worst most bias commentators out there.
He is an arrogant prick and I can't stand the guy.
If Ginnane is commentating, I usually turn the sound off.
Same here. I think he comes across as a dickhead and I wouldn 't be surprised if he's like that outside the commentary box.
Ginnane is amazing as a footy personality, but that was the first time that i have actually not liked his commentary.
Always had that feeling about him since the first time I saw him.
That's an interesting post LB. A you say, the NRL media is extremely biased and only commentate on certain teams when it's negative or often manipulate the narrative to suit the high profile clubs. I think our club would be well served by hiring a PR company in order to start shifting some of the negative conversations in our favour and improve our profile within the NRL community and fan base. This includes the general media and social media as well. There's so much we should be doing in order to get the NRL to start treating us like one of the big boys i.e Broncos/Panthers/Souths/Melbourne/Roosters.
Dan "Now" Ginnane is an absolute f@ck tart. The love affair with certain teams is a given these days. The way the Rorters are travelling and South's loss will be all NRL360 talk about this week.
It has to do with third party deals that some clubs , Managers and players have with fox. Further Fox build up certain players with an eye on having them join their stable of stars in the future. The bigger they hype someone the bigger the star later on to be used by them.
The Eels have no players with third party deals with broadcasters. Our time being run by Liquor and gaming and being in voluntary administration of our leagues club after our salary cap saga, ensured no third party deals would be entertained by the club. Thats why we are so far behind at times. Having Gutho or Mitch Moses on every couple of weeks would be awesome, but they dont have a contract with them.
Dylan Brown appeared a couple of months back on Matty Johns Show, and his negotiated $4000 went to charity. Fox dont promote players that they dont have a permanent third party deal with them, as much as players that have a contract.
I think the commentators take a lot of their cues from this and who they are mates with. I remember back in the day commentators used to get kick backs straight to their own pocket just for mentioning certain player managers players in a good light and regulary. I'm sure it is still going on today.
Andrew Voss is the same and he's the worst commentator such a boring voice