Media Buzz: TV veteran Ian Maurice rips into Fox Sports caller Warren Smith

At a time when the NRL media world is crying out for fresh talent, 2GB has unearthed a gem. Check out all the latest sports media news.

Ian Maurice (right) used to call State of Origin with TV legend Darrell Eastlake.

We’ve been saying for a long time that 2GB’s The Continuous Call team needed some new blood. Retired centre Josh Morris is what we were talking about. He’s all over the modern game and his relationships with the players, especially his old Roosters teammates, ensures 2GB gets the best talent for post-game sideline interviews. He’s a great operator.

Josh Morris catches up with old teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

TV VETERAN RIPS INTO FOX SPORTS CALLER

Ian Maurice used to call Origin on Channel 9 in the 1980s with TV legend Darrell Eastlake.

These days he still has a few odd jobs in radio and television but loves using his social media to attack sports broadcasters, much of it nasty and unwarranted.

Recent tweets have been highly critical of Fox Sports’ experienced caller Warren Smith.

“I was watching one of the NRL trials and note that Fox caller Warren Smith has continued where he left off. The man never shuts up!!”

Ian Maurice (right) used to call State of Origin with TV legend Darrell Eastlake.

And another one: “If I switch on Fox League to watch an NRL game and I hear Warren Smith commentating I have to turn off. It doesn’t matter how good the game might be, I can’t listen to his incessant drivel. Will someone PLEASE tell him to shut up and let the picture tell the story. It’s TV not radio.”

Before that it was cricket: “Is there any chance the Seven Network cricket producer can get the commentators to draw breath? Incessant waffle and over analysis is too much for me.”

Put a sock in it Ian.

AFL RATINGS SINK BOOT INTO CHANNEL 9

It’s not hard to understand why Channel 7 is paying more for AFL than Channel 9 is for NRL in the TV broadcast deals.

Last weekend’s figures show a huge AFL audience dominance on free-to-air.

Seven’s AFL coverage averaged 644k nationally, 486k metro. Nine’s NRL averaged 494k nationally, 301k metro.

Seven also had 39 per cent more audience than Nine across Thursday and Friday night telecasts. No wonder Nine made a sneaky bid for the AFL broadcast rights last year.

MEDIA PROFILE: DANIKA MASON, 31 (Channel 9)

First job? Working at a deli in Castle Hill. It’s where my love of olives developed and the reason I hate raw chicken to this day.

Your sporting heroes? Mick Liubinskas — West Suburbs Magpies legend — and my future father-in-law.

What league team do you follow? Freddy’s NSW Blues!

Channel 9 rugby league presenter Danika Mason.

What sports did you play? Anything and everything growing up.

I played basketball, netball, soccer, touch footy, little athletics and hockey.

How do you spend a day off? In footy season I only really have one free day a week so I always like to do a good training session, hang out with our dog (Charlie the chocolate labrador) and enjoy a nice meal out.

Career highlights? Working on Channel 9’s State of Origin coverage. It’s always such a surreal experience. Also interviewing sporting royalty like Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open. Both were so incredibly nice.