What’s The Buzz: Channel 9 chase network rival in search of Ray Warren replacement

WHAT’S THE BUZZ: Channel 9 has officially begun planning for life after Ray Warren – and identified the perfect replacement for the voice of rugby league.

The end of the line? Ray Warren hasn’t decided whether to continue to call games next year. Picture: Getty

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Channel 9 is planning for life after legendary commentator Ray Warren by approaching highly regarded Fox Sports and TripleM caller Dan Ginnane.

We can reveal Channel 9’s director of sport and now 2GB boss Tom Malone contacted the off-contract Ginnane last week about joining the free-to-air network next season.

This isn’t to say the great Ray ‘Rabs’ Warren won’t continue next year but it’s not guaranteed that he will.

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The end of the line? Ray Warren hasn’t decided whether to continue to call games next year. Picture: Getty

Warren has told Channel 9 he will make a decision before Christmas.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” Warren said. “Tom Malone spoke to me a few weeks ago and is expecting me to make a decision soon. They’ve got to plan and I understand totally.

“I have a different thought in my head every day. Seriously I don’t know.”

Hence the interest in Nine trying to pinch Ginnane from Fox Sports.

Dan Ginnane has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Ray Warren once the commentary great hangs up the microphone.

Warren was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame this year and has an open invitation from Channel 9 to continue as long as he wants.

“One day I’m thinking I should give it away,” he says, “The next day I’m wanting to keep going because I’ve only been doing one match every three weeks.

“Plus a lot of old blokes who have retired wish they never had.

“Then I think I don’t want to go one year or even one game too long and stuff up whatever I’ve achieved. So it’s a tough one.”

Ginnane (R) is an experienced commentator for TripleM, FoxSports and Channel 7.

Ginnane is an outstanding rugby league caller on both television and radio.

He has comfortably made the transition from calling every bit of detail on radio to pulling back and allowing the cameras to tell the story on TV

Nine also has the very capable Matt Thompson on its books.

Fox Sports already has Andrew Voss, Brenton Speed and Warren Smith but rate Ginnane highly and don’t want to lose him. He also works for Fox Sports News and is part of the ‘family’.

Originally published as What’s The Buzz: Channel 9 chase network rival in search of Ray Warren replacement