NRL 2023: 2GB host Ray Hadley furious after Allianz Stadium plaque disappears | What’s the Buzz

A plaque was installed at Allianz Stadium last year in Ray Hadley’s honour, but now it has mysteriously vanished. And Hadley isn’t happy, writes Phil Rothfield.

Ray Hadley is unhappy, after turning up to Allianz stadium in September to find a his plaque missing. Picture: Supplied.

A tradie has inadvertently sparked a fracas between radio star Ray Hadley and Venues NSW over his name plaque being removed from outside the 2GB broadcast box at Allianz Stadium.

As work was being completed on the media centre at the $828 million stadium last year, the tradie installed a “Ray Hadley Broadcast Box” sign in the corridor outside his commentary position.

He then took a photo and sent it to Hadley in July last year.

The entire media centre is named after Nine legend Ray Warren and it’s my understanding that Hadley and a series of other luminaries were to be honoured with rooms named after them as well.

Ray Hadley is unhappy, after turning up to Allianz stadium in September to find a his plaque missing. Picture: Supplied.

Hadley has called 33 NRL grand finals and 96 Origins, including the first grand final at the previous Allianz Stadium back in 1988.

Hadley turned up to call the first match at Allianz in September last year – the Roosters v Rabbitohs – only to discover his plaque missing.

And he’s not happy about it. He suspects someone high up on the Venues board NSW didn’t want his name there.

“I didn’t say anything at the time, thinking it was probably inappropriate that I had been informed by a tradie in the manner I was,” Hadley said.

“Anyway, I decided to ask why and was told there was going to be a launch later this year. That surprised me as the sign commemorating my friend and colleague Ray Warren was still in place.

“It was suggested to me someone at Venues NSW had not wanted my sign to be there so I reached out to Phillip Heads, the venue’s communications boss, this week.

“He assured me there would be a launch now this year.”

The Ray Hadley Broadcast Box plaque has mysteriously disappeared.

So we contacted Heads for a response.

He confirmed Venues NSW planned to honour Hadley during the NRL finals series and on the eve of him surpassing the great Frank Hyde’s 33 consecutive grand finals.

“The original room signage to honour Ray was plastic, small and in no way befitting of his contribution,” Heads said.

“Ray deserved much better and we look forward to unveiling a fantastic tribute to him during the NRL Finals, and other media, in due course.”

JUDGING CRITICS AS ‘KEYBOARD WARRIORS’

Critics who legitimately questioned the coaching, team selections or tactics of NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler have been branded “keyboard warriors”.

So says district court judge and NSWRL chairman Paul Conlon, despite yet another failed campaign for the Blues this year in State of Origin.

Conlon was interviewed by self-confessed Blues cheerleader Mark Levy on 2GB last week.

Levy started by saying: “Some ridiculous things have been written about NSW coach Brad Fittler.”

Conlon let loose.

“There are journalists that do run agendas,” he said, “That’s what we’ve got here. When they’re running agendas they turn into keyboard warriors and that’s very disappointing.

“Before the first game this year people were ringing and asking about Brad’s coaching tenure.

“It can be difficult to understand.”

His comments would indicate Fittler will keep his job although smarter footy minds on the board, who can recognise there are potentially better options, may vote the other way.

Whatever the case, Conlon’s “keyboard warriors” line is out of order.

Especially from someone who so regularly rings or text messages rugby league writers, myself included, to offer his own very critical views of officials and issues in rugby league.

Media Buzz: Phil Rothfield speaks with Channel 7 presenter Emma Freedman.

MEDIA BUZZ

Emma Freedman, 35, Seven Network

First Job: Working for my father (horse trainer Lee Freedman) in the office at the stables while on school holidays from about 14 years old. First role in media was manning the phones at radio station 3AW during the Sports Today program each night while studying at university.

Sporting Heroes: In the racing world, Gai Waterhouse and Damien Oliver are two that come to mind. More broadly speaking in our current era, I really admire the resilience and character of Daniel Ricciardo, Ariarne Titmus and Emma McKeon for their sheer talent, and heading into this extraordinary event that is the FIFA Women’s World Cup, obviously Sam Kerr.

What teams do you support: In the AFL, I’m a devout Essendon Bombers fan. In the NRL, Melbourne Storm, with a soft spot for the Bunnies.

Freeman lists Ariarne Titmus and Emma McKeon among her sporting heros. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

What sports did you play: I competed in the 100m Hurdles as a kid, dived a bit, played Hockey – I gave most things a crack, but didn’t excel as an athlete! I danced a lot and had more success there!

How do you spend a day off: With my family (husband Charlie, children Will and Edie, and dog Utah), time at the park, exercise, maybe a late arvo pub feed, will still always involve watching racing and some amount of sport! I never switch off from consuming the sports I’m covering.

Career highlights: The last three years have been an incredible ride. Two Olympic Games, last year’s Commonwealth Games, two Bathurst 1000s, hosting the Brownlow Red Carpet and 52 weeks a year of racing on Seven. But this next month of the Women’s World Cup will be close to the top of the list!

Originally published as NRL 2023: 2GB host Ray Hadley furious after Allianz Stadium plaque disappears | What’s the Buzz