Melbourne Storm fans widely think NRL commentators have an intense dislike for their club and it shows during the broadcast of games.
Now, it seems action has finally been taken with commentator Phil Gould dumped for Sunday’s grand final between the Storm and the Penrith Panthers.
Gould is of course a former Panthers player and premiership coach and was general manager of the club.
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In the 2020 grand final between the Storm and the Panthers, he sparked uproar when he claimed Penrith were “on top” despite the fact they were down 22-0 at half-time (Penrith did come back but Storm won that decider).
Gould’s call was quickly mocked by fans at the time. Even Aussie legend Dylan Alcott told Gould to “give it a rest”.
“22-0 to the Storm but ALL the momentum with the Panthers according to big Gus Gould. Give it a rest,” Alcott said on X (formerly Twitter).
Gould also appeared to lose it in the commentary box during the 2021 grand final between the Panthers and the South Sydney Rabbitohs when a questionable call went against Penrith.
Gould has been relegated to the 12..20pm AEST game between the NSW and Queensland reserve grade clubs, Newtown Jets and Norths Devils.
The commentators for the main event will be Mat Thompson while NRL legends Andrew Johns and Billy Slater will provide special comments. Brad Fittler and Danika Mason will provide additional commentary from the sidelines.
Fittler, himself a former NRL champion, was recently in the news when he conducted a weird and inappropriate interview from the sidelines with Australian Olympic gold medallists Jess and Noemie Fox.
Fittler asked the sisters for a kiss, forcing an embarrassed Jess to quickly look away while Noemie asked if they were on air.
“I’m just waiting for Kiss Cam to come on … for me,” Fittler said on the live coverage.
Fittler also seemed to ask a suggestive question after that.
“Do you like it?” he said to Noemie, giggling. Noemie: said: “Huh?”
Fittler continued: “Do you like it?” He paused and added: “The environment here? Do you like the footy?”
After that, a Nine spokesperson defended Fittler’s comments, saying he was referring to “a Kiss Cam” that was in the stadium (that was not part of the TV coverage).
“Brad’s comments related to that activity on the ground. Brad’s comments were not directed to the Fox sisters, no malice was intended and no offence was taken,” the spokesperson said in a statement.