What’s the Buzz: Andrew Johns is changing his commentary style to keep women on side
SOME of the most influential women in Sydney have taken aim at Channel 9’s Andrew Johns and warned that his commentary is turning them off the game.
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SOME of the most influential women in Sydney have taken aim at Channel 9’s Andrew Johns and warned that his commentary is turning them off the game.
So much so that rugby league Immortal Johns admits he will have to alter his soft stance on player misbehaviour.
NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle fronted a Women On Boards forum during the week, where leading businesswomen said they strongly supported the tougher stand being taken
against the stars who keep playing up.
NRL TO EXPEL BAD BOYS FROM THE GAME
They even said they switched off their sets when Johns stuck up for the likes of former Sharks five-eighth Todd Carney, who has been forced out of the game after his bubbler incident.
The NRL and Footy Show are both desperate to secure more female support for the game, because that is the way to increase crowds and ratings.
It puts Channel Nine in a dilemma with Joey sometimes more of a turn off than turn on.
When told of the women’s views, Johns said it was something he would have to address.
“I always tend to support the player,” Johns said.
“That’s just who I am because I had some of my own issues growing up in football.
“Obviously I’m going to have to think more carefully about it in the future because the image of the game is so important these days, especially with women.”
Channel Nine has vowed to stand by Johns because of his expertise as one of the best analysts in the media.
TOOVEY’S DIRECT LINE TO STEWART SNUB
MANLY coach Geoff Toovey is now in the firing line over a mystery phone call that forced him not to offer club legend Glenn Stewart a contract extension.
At a board meeting on Wednesday night, Toovey faced a blowtorch grilling from directors over the shabby treatment of the 2011 Clive Churchill Medal winner.
He revealed to the meeting that an unidentified director — who was in the room — had phoned and told him not to offer Stewart a contract. When questioned, he refused to name which board member made the call.
RABBITOHS IN THEIR REGGIES RISE FOR ALEX
NRL players continue to do great things to help Alex McKinnon — even if it means getting their gear off.
South Sydney Rabbitohs stars Adam Reynolds and Jason Clark agreed to pose up in these NRL undies during the week because $1 from every pair sold goes to the Alex McKinnon Foundation until grand final day.
According to the distributors, the myrtle and green Rabbitohs trunks have clearly outsold every other NRL club since the undies went on sale three months ago.
You can buy a pair at www.nrlundies.com.au or at your club supporter store to help raise more money for a great cause.
THERE’S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, RABS IS THE GREATEST
THERE are many funny stories in Ray Warren’s newly released autobiography, The Voice, and most of them have something to do with drinking and gambling.
But there is one story that stands out about the day the legendary caller gave cigarettes away, and how his distinctive voice might have been silenced there and then.
In the early 1980s, well-known ear, nose and throat specialist Dr John Tonkin rushed him to St Vincent’s Hospital after he found nodules on his vocal chords. “That frightened the hell out of me,” writes Rabs.
“And I went straight to St Vincent’s — or the Darlinghurst Hilton, as it was sometimes known. Someone from Ten sent me a slab of Victoria Bitter and I ended up having a few beers with one of the nurses.”
The nodules were removed, and they were benign. “People talk about my voice a lot,” he writes. “They tell me I sound like a bloke who’s drunk a bottle of scotch and smoked a packed of Winfields every day of his life. That’s not correct. At least, it’s not correct now.”
LEGEND FIGHTS DEPRESSION
DEPRESSION is not something new in rugby league. The more recent cases of Darius Boyd and Jamal Idris have been well documented but arguably the toughest man to ever play the game, John Sattler, suffered from the disorder as well.
His soon to be released biography, written by highly expected Brisbane journalist Peter Badel, goes into great detail about his struggles after retiring from the game in the 1970s.
That a man who could play through the excruciating pain of a broken jaw in a grand final battled mental health issues is an indication of what a terrible illness depression is.
Sattler’s book will be launched before Father’s Day.
TIMES ARE TOUGH FOR TITANS
GRAHAM Annesley has introduced stringent cost-cutting measures since taking over the game’s biggest basket case, the Gold Coast Titans.
He’s running such a tight ship that he caught a train from Sydney Airport to Central for the chief executives conference to save on the cab fare.
I know of many other club CEOs in the game that travel exclusively in hire cars.
The Titans’ fragile financial position is being closely monitored by NRL CEO Dave Smith and his finance team.
FUTURE’S BRIGHT FOR OUR THORPIE
THE corporate feedback from Ian Thorpe’s recent television interview has been all positive, according to his agent Will Erskine. Unlike some other athletes who have come out, Thorpe’s revelation has been well received.
“There’s been a wonderful and very supportive response from everyone,” Erskine said.
“Some really good things are happening in Ian’s personal and corporate life.
“Ian’s got a gift for television and that’s one area we’re looking at in the future.”
ERIN SCORES NEW CONTRACT
CHANNEL Nine has kicked off negotiations to sign Footy Show glamour girl Erin Molan on a new contract.
“Erin has been fantastic since joining the show full time and I’m so proud watching her grow as a great sports journalist,” says executive producer Glenn Pallister. “The response to her being on the show has been sensational.”
Molan did one of the great TV interviews of the year with Alex McKinnon and coach Wayne Bennett on a recent show.
The 30-year-old has emerged as one of the network’s brightest talents.
“I love Channel Nine and couldn’t be happier,” she said. “I’m blessed and grateful to get amazing opportunities.”
TWO SPORT HEROES WITH THE GIFT OF THE GAP
ORIGIN legends Wally Lewis and Laurie Daley could easily make $10,000 an appearance to speak at corporate functions.
They are both brilliant behind the microphone and have some wonderful old stories to tell. They are also generous with their time.
Last week, Lewis was outstanding as guest speaker at the De La Salle fundraiser lunch at Sharks Leagues Club. He came free of charge.
On August 9, Daley has agreed to be the guest speaker at the Forest Rugby Club’s lunch. Again, free of charge.
It’s great to see two legends put so much back into sport.
SAINT
NRL coaches Anthony Griffin and Mick Potter are handling really difficult situations with great class and character. The treatment of both gentlemen by the Broncos and Wests Tigers has been nothing short of appalling.
SINNER
WAYNE Bennett is leaving the Newcastle Knights in an absolute state of disarray. And whatever happened with the statement on NRL 360 from his son-in-law Ben Ikin that Bennett would never negotiate with a club while another coach was still in charge? Please.
WORLD CLASS
I ORIGINALLY thought the Commonwealth Games were a care-factor-zero event and just one big yawn. Then you wake up on Friday morning to news and replays of our girls smashing the world record in the 4x100m freestyle relay. It was wonderful stuff. Go you good things!
SPOTTED
JOHN Quayle, Tommy Raudonikis, David Gallop and John Coates enjoying a beer at the Dolphin Hotel in Surry Hills on Wednesday night. Good old Tommy stood out in his NSW State of Origin tracksuit.
RIDDELL’S A DELIVERY DRIVER
FORMER Dragons, Roosters and Eels hooker Mark Riddell is a father again — his latest arrival born in the front seat of his car.
Wife Karli couldn’t wait as they rushed to hospital and gave birth in the car outside, just as they arrived.
William Mark Riddell and mum are both doing well.
SHOOSH
ONE NRL CEO was so busy sorting out a club crisis he was forced to brush the NRL conference last week.
SHOOSH II
THERE is a damning video involving one of Australia’s highest-profile sportsmen that would cause worldwide headlines if it ever goes public.
The video — obtained from security footage outside a nightclub — is being kept out of circulation but would go viral if released. It is unrelated to the recent talk about a sex scandal video involving rugby league.
HAMSTRUNG
FORMER NRL halfback Perry Haddock has failed in a comeback attempt to international OzTag. The 55-year-old was doing pre-game drills with the Australian mixed seniors team in Ireland last week when he suffered a leg injury and dejectedly limped off. For the record, the Australian team won both the Test series against Ireland and Great Britain 3-0 and went through the tour undefeated.
Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Andrew Johns is changing his commentary style to keep women on side
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