Despite the fact that the NRL has yet to finalise radio broadcast rights for the 2013 season, which kicks off this Thursday, Triple M is powering ahead calling itself, “The new home of NRL.”
If nothing else, the Triple M commentary box will look like a home for retired footballers with some of the biggest names that ever put foot to Steeden crammed into it.
Among them will be Peter Sterling, Andrew Johns, Matty Johns, Mark Geyer, Ryan Girdler, Gorden Tallis, Wendell Sailor, Nathan Hindmarsh, Bill Harrigan, Paul Gallen, Robbie Farah, Willie Mason, Brett Finch, Dan Ginnane, Anthony Maroon, Tony Squires, Steve Mascord, Ben Dobbin, Andrew Webster , Rugby League Week’s “The Mole”, Steve Mascord and Brent Read.
Of course, they won’t all be there at the same time at every match. But they will be there describing any of the four games that the network plans to broadcast most weeks. Those games could be on Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday 3pm, Sunday night or Monday night. Which four games they actually call is a little complex.
Most weeks, only Triple M Sydney and Brisbane (as well as regional relays) will broadcast games – except when the Melbourne Storm plays on a Monday night then Triple M Melbourne will take the game to the home of AFL.
As a rule, however, if there’s a Thursday night game, Triple M Sydney will broadcast it, but not the Friday match. Triple M will only call Saturday 7.30 matches when there are two matches being played at the same time. Simple, yes?
Triple M’s marketing strategy is to be “closer to the fans, closer to the clubs” with a big on ground presence at NRL matches this year having secured signage deals with six Sydney NRL Clubs including Penrith, Parramatta, Manly, Cronulla, Roosters and St George.
To launch the 2013 Season, Triple M is giving one Australian the chance to win one million dollars with one kick of the footy at halftime in the Roosters vs Rabbitohs game. Ten balls to choose from, pick the right ball, get it through the post and the money is theirs.
