How will Channel Nine's NRL coverage look after new $400m deal?
The big question for fans digesting the news Channel 9 will continue to cover the NRL for a further five years after extending its current deal is: What will the on-air line-up look like?
Erin Molan is already gone and there's a chance we may have heard the last of the legendary Ray Warren, who is operating on a year-to-year basis.
If he does kick on next year, Rabbits will continue to pick and choose the games he calls.
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The big problem for Nine, according to tvblackbox.com.au's viewers' advocate Steve Molk, is it still does not have a ready-fit replacement for the 78-year-old.
"I think there's potential for them to freshen things up, but the challenge is who do they get to step into that core commentary role," Molk told Yahoo Sport Australia.
"I think Andrew Voss is a completely under-appreciated commentator and they may try and poach him back to be the number one caller."
And the raid on Fox Sports' talent might not end there.
Nine may also come for the likes of Braith Anasta, Michael Ennis and Cooper Cronk to fill in the increased hours of rugby league content it is planning for its various platforms.
"There is a lot of interest in what happens with footy shows around the edges (of match-day coverage) because that's a big, important part of the deal," Molk said.
"It's not just about having the footy on free-to-air, it’s all the commentary and analysis shows that add so much benefit to that deal.
"Fox is a great place to blood former players and out of that you find some gems they are nurturing as commentary talent.
"And Nine can take advantage of that by taking the cream off Fox."
What happens with Phil Gould?
The other elephant in the room – or bulldog to be more accurate – is the long-terms plans for Gus Gould.
If it's not his gibbering rants, it's his bias – perceived or otherwise - that can have fans attacking their remotes like a martial arts expert karate-chopping a dozen house bricks.
Gould is not going anywhere soon, but he may be encouraged to tweak his tone.
Molk said: "The challenge with Phil Gould is that he has a really deep history and is embedded with certain clubs like the Panthers and Bulldogs.
"It's like when Eddie McGuire would call a Collingwood game.
"We're about to have 17 teams in the comp and you want to hear about the other 16 teams.
"You don’t want it to be as one-sided as it is, as often as it is."
But here's the thing – there is an alternative to Nine's line-up.
Forgive us while we go a little Tim Shaw on you, but for just six monthly instalments of just $25 you can watch every game of every round live and uninterrupted on Kayo, plus access the various weekday footy shows.
That's just $150 a season – assuming you only have it for the footy months.
Half that if you split the bill with a mate and siphon the log-in details.
You'll have to switch back to Nine four times a year – three State of Origins and grand final night – but it's a small price to pay if Channel 9's league team has you ready to saw off your ears with a blunt instrument.
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