Media Buzz: Phil Rothfield looks at the latest television, radio and print news in sport
A premier NRL caller wants to devote more time to his calling duties at Fox Sports. And it has come at a cost for Triple M.
Phil Rothfield
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Popular host Dan Ginnane has quit Triple M’s Saturday Dead Set Legends program to ease his weekend workload this year.
He will also cut back his radio commentary duties to one game on Sunday afternoons. He’ll call State of Origin and the NRL grand final.
Ginnane wants to devote more time to his calling duties at Fox Sports.
No wonder why.
There was a game in Mudgee last year when he left the Triple M studios at World Square after Dead Set Legends and made it to the ground only minutes before kick-off.
Brendan Annakin has been promoted to hosting duties on Dead Set Legends alongside Candice Warner and Richard Freedman.
CLEARY MEGA DEAL ADDS TO GROWING EMPIRE
Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary has signed a five-year contract with Channel Nine.
He’ll join a couple of other handy old halfbacks, Andrew Johns and Johnathan Thurston, on their various shows. The 25-year-old is doing well with life away from footy.
He’s recently invested in a new brewery company, Drink West.
His Adidas sponsorship is the most lucrative for a footballer in the southern hemisphere.
MEDIA MAN WITH ‘BEST JOB IN THE WORLD’
SEN has become the go-to radio network for Australian cricket. The station is sending a team to the sub-continent for Australia’s Test match series against India to deliver ball-by-ball coverage.
Gerard Whateley, News Corp’s Peter Lalor, Ravi Shastri and Harsha Bhogle will head up the coverage. Whateley has got the best job in the world. Before India he’s off to the Super Bowl in Arizona.
GRAHAM SET FOR EXTENDED FOX ROLE
There are few sharper minds in rugby league than old front-row warhorse James Graham.
It is why Fox Sports have extended his roles on the network this year.
The former Bulldogs and Dragons star will appear on NRL 360 and the pre and post-game shows over the weekend. He has this ability to get his message across without over complicating the issues.
Graham is in hot demand. He also works for Triple M on Sunday afternoons and has his own podcast.
The Canterbury Bulldogs have hired him as well in a mentoring and commercial role.
DOKIC EARNS RIVAL PRAISE
The highlight of Channel 9’s Australian Open tennis coverage was Jelena Dokic’s commentary.
It prompted Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley to tweet: “I have never publicly commented on a broadcaster from a rival network but for what it’s worth I applaud the class, development and expertise of tennis expert Jelena Dokic. She’s a ripper.”
I have never publicly commented on a broadcaster from a rival network but for what it’s worth I applaud the class, development and expertise of tennis expert Jelena Dokic. She’s a ripper.
— Steve Crawley (@SteveCrawleyFox) January 25, 2023
FOX, KAYO THE HOME OF NRL TRIAL MATCHES
Four sleeps to go until we get our rugby league back. Fox Sports and Kayo will be covering every trial match, kicking off out of New Zealand this Thursday night with Tim Sheens and his new-look Wests Tigers playing the New Zealand Warriors. The following night it’s a double header in Gosford — the Sharks v the Knights and the Rabbitohs v the Sea Eagles.
MEDIA PROFILE
ANDREW VOSS
Fox Sports, SEN, Age 56
First job?
As a kid it was just a paperboy but when I left school I was an accounts clerk at the Sydney Turf Club. There are unreconciledinvoices buried all over Canterbury racecourse.
Sporting heroes?
I had three posters on my wall – Bob McCarthy, Terry Fahey and Larry Corowa.
What team do you follow?
I’m the youngest of three boys. We’d never go for same team so I picked Souths because I liked rabbits.
Did you ever play league?
Tried and failed on the playing front. Only ever dreamt of being a caller.
How do you spend your days off?
Not many days off during a season but would never complain about that. Mostly I hop on the ride-on mower.
Career highlights?
I’ve called three World Cup finals at Old Trafford. A real thrill. (And special mention to working as rookie reporter Phil Rothfield’s right-hand man in 1987 finals series at the SCG for 2UE.)
TOP SPORTING HITS*
1 Australian Open finals
2 Usman Khawaja’s visa fiasco
3 NRL coaches survey
4 Steve Smith’s Border Medal
5 Sixers’ devastating BBL loss
6 Broncos-Dolphins poaching feud
7 TC Robati facing sack at Broncos
8 Ambo delay at A-League
9 Bulldogs face financial crisis
10 Zorba’s ‘P-plate coach’ slur
*News Corp websites
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