Hi folks.

To get my contribution to the Terrace started, can I suggest that one of the chief obstacles in the way of RL's development/advancement in the public domain in this country, is the pathetic, sometimes embarrassing standard of commentary that fans are forced to put up with on Sky?

Watched the Wire Hudd game last night and was amazed at just how often the team of talkers were 'off topic' and apparently pursuing some undefined agenda of their own. Even the Wire Saints game two weeks back, was ruined for me by being bombarded throughout the 2nd half, by the revelatory idea that it was a SUPERB game. It's like being told by a bystander that the rain that's falling is WET! Give us a break! We could see that, couldn't we? We are NOT idiots.

Much of my frustration in listening last night, was to do with the fact that Stevenson defined and judged almost every 50/50 call. Can somebody clear up the role of the 'commentator' to this guy? I'd rather watch the action unfold and experience the excitement of the unknown than to be told what the man with the mic thinks. Aussie commentators don't do it. Football callers don't do it. Cricket commentators don't do it. Why the heck does this crew do it? As well as this, the limitation of the man's vocabulary is plain for all to see. Superb, outstanding, try time! WTF? Used over and over, even the most endearing idioms become cliche. And if you listen closely the two rely almost solely on idiom to call the game.

Hemmings is apparently much better, but IMO far more insidious than the bombastic one. The number of times he calls the wrong names of players (last night I counted at least 2) is indeed an embarrassment to the sport. He indulged in what I call Frenchisms the whole night, seeming not to know the difference between one black player and another, and even called one incomprehensible decision from the ref, 'Irish.' Steady, Eddie! Is that not a racial stereotype you're indulging in there, mate?

So ain't it time fans, and the game, got the quality they deserve behind the mic on Sky. What do you suppose people in Devon, Hampshire, Lincs, London et al make of the present incumbents' meandering inaccuracies, and self-opinionated tripe?

I wish they'd call it like it is, or do the game a favour and fall on their very blunt, rusty swords.

We deserve better than them, surely...

they do tend to yap on about things rather than just commentate on the game which is fairly annoying, as is showing a replay of something that happened 2 minutes previous while the game is going on

At least they focus on some of the positives some of the time.

With Jonathan Davies, I've never heard so much negativity in his commentary.

Unfortunately there are people who have a monopoly when it comes to the top media jobs in rugby league. However the same can be said for any top position in any industry. It doesn’t matter how bad Stevo and Eddie get – they’ll still have a job commentating for super league games until they choose when they want to retire.

These two Muppets always harp on about the need for more emerging talent on the field but never off of it. For example you’ll never see someone who wants either of Eddie and Stevo’s jobs given a chance in the commentary box for a couple of games during the super league season. This is because these two want it easy and they’ve got it easy. If Eddie and Stevo’s boss had a team of commentators to choose from (including emerging ones who’ve studied sports journalism or another relevant course) then these two would have to buck they ideas up.

I’m sure that most sports media students become disillusioned with their chances in they preferred industry because of the monopoly at the top. These graduates then choose move on to something else. That is a lost to our sport if that happens.

More certainly needs to be done.

Sky are certainly negative enough for me
Idiot 1: Could have been a penalty!
Idiot 2: Should have been a penalty!


The problem is both at the BBC and at Sky is the same commentators just stay in the job year after year after year, it's no coincidence that the better commentators are the ones who have joined the team more recently

I like Eddie and Stevo on Sky. For me listening to their commentary is similar to the sort of stuff you and a couple of mates talk about when you go to a game. Without the swearing of course.

We could have better, is Andy Grey still unemployed

I agree totally with the original poster. The game has worked hard over the years to try to improve the quality on and off the field (including visual presentation), while at the same time the quality of commentators remains 'poor' to say the least. Probably the biggest problem the game has, is how it is perceived by people who are not die hard RL fans. Unfortunately their first and overriding impression of the game will be listening to commentary which at times sounds like a pair of poor comics trying to make stuff up as they go along.
Commentary shouldn't sound like a couple of mates chatting about the game. It should be smooth, slick and professional, and if we want the game to be taken as seriosly as it should be, then this is what we need in order to showcase the game properly.
Sadly, I don't see any commentators who are able to do that at present, but the game as a whole should be pressing Sky and BBC regarding this.

That's certainly true. Everything with Jiffy is down to 'verrrrry poor' defence. The art of true observation and comment is one that seems undeveloped in Sky and BBC alike, coloured by the perceptions of the producers of the broadcasts, no doubt. But just because something is positive doesn't make it aesthetically any better IMO. Dave Woods for example is far from infallible in calling players' names, and his trademark 'Wot a try!' is a bit tedious after seven years, and that despite his enthusiasm and obvious love of the game.

I hope the RFL 'deal' that's mooted has a clause or two about the liberties taken in presenting League's public face, though I realistically doubt it.

Even Presidents and Ministers have to seek a mandate every four or five years. But the media minions seem assured of long contracts and big pensions all.

[ a pair of poor comics trying to make stuff up as they go along.
Commentary shouldn't sound like a couple of mates chatting about the game. It should be smooth, slick and professional,

Right! The medium is the message.