LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
During State of Origin 1 on Wednesday night, the Channel 9 commentary team faced significant criticism from fans, who expressed their longing for the days of Ray Warren's iconic commentary.
Many NRL enthusiasts primarily tune into Channel 9 for the State of Origin and grand finals, as they typically prefer Fox League for regular season games.
This limited exposure to Channel 9 has made the commentary experience feel particularly frustrating for these fans.
Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith, prominent figures in the commentary lineup, often draw scrutiny for showing bias towards NSW and Queensland, leading to harsh feedback on social media.
This criticism was amplified during the recent game, highlighted by an awkward moment when lead caller Mat Thompson used the word "superfluous," prompting Johns to respond, "Err, excuse me? A what?"
While Thompson is recognized for his commendable efforts following Warren's retirement, the prevailing sentiment remains that Channel 9 struggles to match the caliber of commentary that Warren provided.
Journalist Peter Lang encapsulated this nostalgia on social media: "I don't want to be overly critical of Channel 9's State of Origin commentator Mat Thompson last night…but geeze I miss 'Rabs'.
Ray Warren was Origin."
As fans continue to voice their grievances, it's clear that Ray Warren's absence is deeply felt, leaving a void in the State of Origin experience.