Channel Nine’s panel of great players may seem like they get along during State of Origin games, but according to presenter James Bracey, that’s no less true.
The figurehead for the broadcaster’s coverage of the intense clashes between NSW and Queensland has become clear about the simmering tensions that are putting the panel on edge as what happens on the field reopens old wounds in the studio.
Bracey also revealed the abuse that led Blues legend Andrew ‘Joey’ Johns to shock fans and his colleagues by complaining they had to listen to ‘all the bulls**t’ from Queenslanders when the Maroons won the series in game three last year .
The presenter described the tension on set during Origin games as ‘terrible’.
Nine presenter James Bracey is all smiles as he leads the broadcaster’s NRL coverage – but he has revealed his colleagues are tense during Origin games
NSW legend Andrew Johns (right) was furious when the Blues lost last year’s series in game three and shocked colleagues like Cameron Smith (left) with a foul-mouthed outburst after the siren sounded
It’s legitimate tension. Not even the Brad [Fittler, NSW coach] and Billy [Slater, Maroons coach] thing, mate — the whole commentary team,” he told the Guy in a bar podcast.
“The first year I started that was one of the first things I noticed… You’d be there on Origin night and they wouldn’t talk to each other, there was this weird vibe in the comm [commentary] box for the match.
“It’s like I’m going through a rough few weeks at work afterwards, no matter what.”
That tension surfaced in no uncertain terms after the Maroons knocked out last year’s series by winning an incredibly dramatic game three, which has gone down as one of the greatest Origin clashes of all time.
Johns was strong after the 22-12 defeat and shocked the panel – not to mention footy fans – when Queensland legend Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin asked him why the Blues failed to live up to their title as favourites.
In contrast, Smith and Queensland coach Billy Slater – also a Nine commentator – were all smiles after the Maroons’ dramatic victory
Bracey revealed that Johns suffered shocking abuse from ‘muppet’ Queensland fans after their team lifted the shield last July (pictured)
‘Why? Well, you won the big moments,’ said a visibly agitated Johns.
“Now we have to listen to all the bulls**t from you [Queenslanders] in the next 12 months. It drives you crazy.’
Bracey explained that the set that Johns and his fellow panelists were on at the time was on the pitch at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, close enough to the stands to clearly hear the fans’ comments.
“Joey is at the end and he shouldn’t just listen to us [his Nine colleagues] talking about how great Queensland is, and he’s already upset about what just happened, then it’s salt in the wound.
‘Queensland on Origin Night does the game better than anywhere else in the world.
“The shit he takes from these guys [fans], Oh my God. There’s like 300 people behind the cameras and poor man, they’re just going for the jugular.
“I grab my phone and text the producer and I’m like ‘ticking time bomb here, what do you want to do with Joey?’
The presenter said Johns (pictured playing for NSW in 2005) was a ‘ticking time bomb’ as the ‘feral’ Queensland crowd gave him last year at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium
Bracey (pictured with Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater) said tension between Nine’s stars is so high that they often don’t talk to each other while covering NSW vs Queensland matches
“He’s so emotional and as a buddy and fellow commentator I just wanted to hug him. Because at home you can’t hear what these muppets are saying in the crowd.
That’s why Joey is the legend he is. And that’s why you wanted to play for him, because that passion has never died in him.
“If he could, he’d run there tomorrow. You can’t buy that, it’s just there and it’s raw. As much as Joey probably hated it, it was great TV.”
Johns passion resurfaced recently when he got into a stunning battle of words with his brother Matthew live on radio.
The footy Immortal took offense when his brother praised Queensland coach Slater and the way he treats his team – and the two are reportedly still not talking, despite the blast happening more than two weeks ago.