‘Like following Bradman into bat’: But Thompson’s forging his own path behind the mic

Paris: Fresh from calling one of the greatest ever State of Origin matches, Mathew Thompson is saying au revoir to rugby league for a few weeks to take up one of the most prestigious roles in Australian sports broadcasting. And he’ll be carrying a late mate’s pair of binoculars.

Thompson, Nine’s chief sports broadcaster, will spearhead coverage of the network’s first Olympic swimming meeting since London 2012.

“It’s certainly very humbling,” Thompson said. “It comes with an honour roll of great broadcasters. It’s the biggest broadcast project the network’s ever engaged in, so to be front and centre for that is a privilege but also a big job. It’s going to be an amazing Olympics.

“In terms of experts, Giaan [Rooney] and Thorpey [Ian Thorpe] are as good as anyone in sport. She is the ultimate pro and an elite broadcaster. Thorpey’s technical knowledge of swimming is mind-blowing. Few people can have his record of achievement and bring it into a presenting role.

“Ellie Cole adds great energy, and we’ve got Cate Campbell who is freshly retired. It’s a world-class team.”

Thompson will be using a pair of binoculars owned by his former colleague at 2GB, the legendary sports broadcaster David Morrow, who died earlier this month.

Mathew Thompson, Nine’s chief rugby league and swimming commentator, ahead of the Olympics in Paris. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

“He was a dear friend and a father-like figure,” Thompson said. “No one has ever believed in me like he did. He just knew what I could do and was always the first to congratulate and encourage. He loved hearing our swimming coverage the last 18 months. I’ll be forever grateful.

“He knew I’d be thinking of him in Paris. He broadcast at eight Olympics ... something not many broadcasters in the world could lay claim to. I hope he enjoys calling Warney ripping a few leg breaks and the Don up in that big grandstand in the sky.”

Two decades ago, the Nine network was as synonymous with Australian swimming as it was with cricket during a golden period for the sport.

The memories of those days of Thorpe, Grant Hackett and Susie O’Neill motoring up and down the pool draw heavily on the excited commentary of Ray Warren.

Legendary commentator David Morrow.Credit: ABC

When Warren – nicknamed Rabbits – retired from commentary in 2022 after calling 99 State of Origin matches, 45 first-grade grand finals and countless other matches, the baton was handed to Thompson after a long stint calling rugby league at the network.

“It’d be like following Bradman into bat,” said league great Andrew Johns, who sits next to Thompson during Nine’s NRL coverage.

“He’s obviously following in Rabs’ footsteps. I’d imagine he would have felt the pressure early on, but he’s carving out his own legacy. He’s his own man.

“I enjoy working with him and his commentary is great. He’s really professional and prepared and as you can imagine, it’s quite tough pronouncing some of the names.”

The comparisons to Warren are inevitable, but Johns is right – Thompson is doing things his own way and knows a commentator can never be everyone’s cup of tea.

No one can question Thompson’s passion for his craft and desire to let the experts beside him provide unparalleled insight into Australian lounge rooms and pubs.

“He’s obviously a legend at footy and swimming,” said Thompson of Warren. “It’s great to follow in his footsteps, but I suppose I’ve kind of been doing that for the last few years now. It’s my gig to put my own stamp on.

Ray Warren ahead of the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Credit: Denise Everton

“Is there pressure? I don’t know. I think the person that puts the most pressure on me is me. I want to get it right. It could be a Sunday arvo game of rugby league at Brookie [Brookvale Oval] and I want to get that as right as a 100m freestyle final. I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to that. I’m hoping all the work that I’m putting in pays off.

“I don’t think I’ve struggled with it. I’ve been doing this a long time. This is my 11th season calling NRL for Nine and I’ve been calling sport for 20 years.

“I just want to do a good job for my colleagues. Someone did say to me once, ‘Don’t listen to criticism from somebody that you wouldn’t ask for advice’. So I remind myself about that. They’re only ever going to go on social media to try and stick the knife in. I just try and ignore it.”

Thompson has called two swimming world championships, in 2022 (Melbourne) and 2023 (Fukuoka), and feels ready for the challenge that is calling an Olympics.

With so many swimmers from around the world competing across heats, semi-finals and finals over nine days, serious study time is imperative.

“If I’m right across something, I’m going to call better because I’m not worried about it,” Thompson said.

Thompson, who grew up idolising Carl Lewis and Kieren Perkins as a youngster in Sydney’s west, loves calling swimmers who tend to come from behind.

Australian stars Mollie O’Callaghan and Kyle Chalmers turned in seventh place with a lap to go before storming home for gold medals in their respective 100m freestyle finals at the world championships last year in Japan.

Thompson says he loves the 1500m freestyle, a race synonymous with Australian success. He is quick to point out that it is 100 years since Andrew “Boy” Charlton won gold in the event in Paris.

“If Sam Short can win in Paris, that’s just going to be an unbelievable moment for Australian sport,” Thompson said.

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