What I am about to say may come as a shock to some people.
But I’ve decided it is time.

I can’t live in the shadows anymore. I just need to get it off my chest.
So here goes.

I hate the Channel Nine sport commentators.

Especially Phil Gould and Ray Warren.

I would go as far to say I abhor them.

Seriously – it is almost a little obsessive how much I just can’t stand them.

Just a whisper of Ray getting overly excited about someone catching a ball and then rabbiting on for the next 20 minutes about how something was almost a try but wasn’t in a game six seasons ago is enough to turn me into a seething pit of rage.

The guy almost wets his pants every time the ball is thrown and in a game that goes for 80 minutes, well, let’s just hope they are keeping the liquids well and truly away from him.

And Gus?

Well, this might seem strange coming from a Pies girl, but I just can’t stand his holier than thou, I’m an expert on anything to do with this funny shaped ball, no one is as smart as me smarmy attitude.

It drives me crazy.

And then you have the idiots who stand on the sidelines and put stupid statements like “Tough game mate’’ with an inflection on the mate – so the player knows it’s time for the standard “Well you know, full credit to the opposition, but it’s a game of two halves and there can only be one winner and tonight we came out on top” reply.

And then Rabbit and Gus and Fatty sit around and give their opinion on who should have won and why they should have won and why they will win in the future – and who are they to let a little objectivity to get in the way?

And while I’m having a vent, the other commentators who come close to sending me up the wall are the cricket team – Richie included.

I know cricket can be boring, but when you start stating the obvious (“look over there, we have some nice birds. That’s a good-looking seagull’’) it’s time to bring in some fresh blood.

Seriously, if the network is looking to trim the fat from its budget, the first place it needs to look at is how much it is paying people like Sam Newman and Co. to harp on with their opinions, which are out-dated, irrelevant and just plain annoying.

How hard is it to find people who not only have knowledge of the game but also an open mind and the ability to string sentences together?

Is it really that difficult to find people without a huge bias towards a team, a player or even their own career to comment on these games?

The final State of Origin is coming up and I’m not holding my breath hoping that the Nine team will have changed its view.

That said, I think Sterlo does a Sterling job – but one man a commentary team does not make.

If they are serious about attracting new fans to the game, maybe they should have a look at the ones who are selling it.

Or you can always turn them down and listen to Roy and HG instead.
I know that’s what I’ll be doing.