Which commentators scored big in the annual ‘Leaguies’?

Ray Warren versus Andrew Voss, Billy Slater against Mick Ennis, and who wins between Fatty and Gus? MIKE COLMAN announces his annual Leaguies Awards for NRL media.

With news that Ray “Rabbits” Warren has been chosen for induction into the NRL Hall of Fame (along with my old colleague the late great Peter Frilingos) it seems an opportune time to announce the second annual ‘Leaguie’ Awards for the best media commentators of the season.

The late, great rugby league writer Peter “Chippy” Frilingos has been elevated to NRL Hall of Fame status.

Rugby league’s answer to the Logies, the coveted Leaguies will be presented at a star-studded event at Crown Casino attended by some of the biggest names in sport, politics and the arts.

OK, that last bit is a bald-faced lie but that’s not to underplay the importance of the awards.

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After last year’s announcement I was inundated with a text message from a prominent league media personality taking issue with one of my decisions (in his category, needless to say), which shows that at least one person is paying attention.

So, with no further ado, here are the winners of the 2019 Leaguies.

Billy Slater now almost as quick behind the camera as he was on the field. Picture: Dave Hunt/AAP

BEST NEW TALENT

Last year’s winner in this category was Michael Ennis who, I’m sorry to say, has dropped the ball a bit this season by being too negative in his pre-match commentary.

Lighten up Mick, you’re not on the field any more, you don’t have to go for the jugular every time.

Newcomers include Sam Thaiday, Johnathan Thurston and Luke Lewis but the judges (actually just one judge, me) voted overwhelmingly for Billy Slater who is insightful, interesting and, not suprisingly, quick on his feet.

SIDELINE EYE

Winner of this one last season was Brent Tate mainly because he had to suffer through the Cowboys’ lousy season. This year they have been even worse but I’ve given it to Kevin Walters. I’m not sure if he actually sits on the sideline but I just felt that he had to win something.

Anthony Griffin is starting to make a name for himself as a media analyst. Picture: Tim Hunter.

COLOUR/ANALYST

I’m going to break with longstanding tradition (of one year) and split this category into three. I can’t go past Greg Alexander who is one of the few winners from last year to maintain his form, but at the same time Paul Vautin earns an award for his Origin performance.

For years Origin was dominated by the dogmatic arrogance of Phil Gould but for some reason Gus seemed to have lost his spark this series.

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Luckily Fatty stepped up big time.

His Game III call, “if they score once they can score twice” was a classic.

And the new award for Rookie Analyst of The Year goes to Anthony Griffin. He was great on ABC radio before getting a late gig on Fox Footy.

Early days in Hook’s media career, but keep tuned.

REGULAR GUEST

This one goes to Geoff Toovey on Fox’s Controversy Corner. He’s hilarious. Who would have thought it?

STUDIO HOST

Hot field here with the likes of Matt Shirvington, Erin Molan, James Bracey and Lara Pitt but I’ve gone for Ben Ikin who has the ability to keep his head when all around are losing theirs. Plus he actually played the game which is a plus.

Second place went to Yvonne Sampson who needs to tone down the superlatives just a little. Not every game is “sensational”.

MAIN CALLER

Defending champion was Andrew Voss but how could I go past Rabbits Warren? He’s a Hall of Famer after all, besides which I thought his call of the Origin decider was one of his best.

Matthew Johns basks in his own glory after winning the Gold Leaguie. Picture: Brett Costello

GOLD LEAGUIE

Yet another first time winner with Braith Anasta failing in his bid for back-to-back titles.

This season it goes to … drum roll please … Matty Johns.

I admit I’m not always a fan of his TV show (too much laughing at their own jokes for my liking) but I have become a regular listener of his podcast in which he combines music, movies and inside stories with league analysis.

It’s all good stuff, but the episode which won him the award was his interview with Sam Burgess.

Have a listen. It was one of the best things I’ve heard for years.

So that’s it for another year folks, and as we said last time ... let the arguments begin.