KentwellCup>ShuteShield
Johnnie Wallace (23)
I await with great anticipation eastcoast.
Sydney Subbies 2024
- Thread starter Lindommer
- Start date
Here To Do
Sydney Middleton (9)
Sorry for the lack of replies but thanks to everyone for your support! Happy to report I'll be covering all the Div One Prelims at Concord on Saturday as well for those who were hoping to hear more of me
After Cluch then NSW Rugby TV began streaming, clubs were responsible for providing commentary and I basically assumed that role. I've always wanted to become a commentator so jumped at the opportunity as soon as it became an option and have been lucky enough to call 89 club games, over 100 total and now 11 Grand Finals too.
I'm currently a volunteer, essentially an "amateur" commentator, but I take pride in my work. I try to treat the players, clubs and officials with the same respect as if I was calling a Bledisloe or World Cup match. My approach is that I can never know if any given match will be someone's first, last, best, worst or only match and that I have a responsibility to treat each match as important as any other.
Regarding the Finals, I reached out last year via the club to volunteer for Subbies. NSW Rugby TV were only going to have commentary on 1st Grade and Colts for D2 Grand Final Day so I got to take on the "reserve" grades, namely 2s, 3s and 4s. NSWRUTV and Subbies both seemed to like my work and invited me back for D1 a fortnight later. This year we'd been discussing a similar arrangement but I got entrusted with all D2 Grand Finals this time around with the NSWRUTV commentators heading out to Eastwood for D3 GFs. I'll be covering all D1 Prelims as well as the reserve GFs again this year.
I was also lucky enough to be asked by Sydney Women's Rugby to call their Premier XV Div. One Semi-Finals at St Luke's North earlier in the month which is the "highest" level I've called - absolutely cracking rugby. If you haven't given the women's game a look, I'd highly encourage you to.
If you're interested in giving it a go, reach out to your club (or a local club) and see if they'll have you - that's exactly how I got into this realm a decade ago. Most of the NSWRUTV operators carry a headset in their kit for commentators so you generally don't need any equipment to get started - that said, having your own microphone, at a minimum is recommended. Grab a pro headset (I use the Audio Technica BPHS-1) or even a handheld mic (like Duck Man uses, something like a Shure SM58) and an XLR cable and you're on your way.
One good thing about Subbies, for commentary, is that we use Fusesport for team lists and scoring. I have my team lists up on my laptop - just beware that in typical fashion every player will wear the wrong number jersey.
I'm happy to answer any other questions - I'm a pretty open book as far as this stuff is concerned and would urge anyone who has the itch to just reach out and have a crack!
After I finished uni in 2015, I reached out to Briars and became their "DJ" (i.e. pressing play as the team ran out and scored) and ground announcer, bringing my PA to the old shed. I got lucky that around the same time they were planning to build their new pavilion/grandstand, which we moved into in 2017 (I think) and have stayed ever since.
After Cluch then NSW Rugby TV began streaming, clubs were responsible for providing commentary and I basically assumed that role. I've always wanted to become a commentator so jumped at the opportunity as soon as it became an option and have been lucky enough to call 89 club games, over 100 total and now 11 Grand Finals too.
I'm currently a volunteer, essentially an "amateur" commentator, but I take pride in my work. I try to treat the players, clubs and officials with the same respect as if I was calling a Bledisloe or World Cup match. My approach is that I can never know if any given match will be someone's first, last, best, worst or only match and that I have a responsibility to treat each match as important as any other.
Regarding the Finals, I reached out last year via the club to volunteer for Subbies. NSW Rugby TV were only going to have commentary on 1st Grade and Colts for D2 Grand Final Day so I got to take on the "reserve" grades, namely 2s, 3s and 4s. NSWRUTV and Subbies both seemed to like my work and invited me back for D1 a fortnight later. This year we'd been discussing a similar arrangement but I got entrusted with all D2 Grand Finals this time around with the NSWRUTV commentators heading out to Eastwood for D3 GFs. I'll be covering all D1 Prelims as well as the reserve GFs again this year.
I was also lucky enough to be asked by Sydney Women's Rugby to call their Premier XV Div. One Semi-Finals at St Luke's North earlier in the month which is the "highest" level I've called - absolutely cracking rugby. If you haven't given the women's game a look, I'd highly encourage you to.
If you're interested in giving it a go, reach out to your club (or a local club) and see if they'll have you - that's exactly how I got into this realm a decade ago. Most of the NSWRUTV operators carry a headset in their kit for commentators so you generally don't need any equipment to get started - that said, having your own microphone, at a minimum is recommended. Grab a pro headset (I use the Audio Technica BPHS-1) or even a handheld mic (like Duck Man uses, something like a Shure SM58) and an XLR cable and you're on your way.
One good thing about Subbies, for commentary, is that we use Fusesport for team lists and scoring. I have my team lists up on my laptop - just beware that in typical fashion every player will wear the wrong number jersey.
I'm happy to answer any other questions - I'm a pretty open book as far as this stuff is concerned and would urge anyone who has the itch to just reach out and have a crack!
KentwellCup>ShuteShield
Johnnie Wallace (23)
You are doing a great service to the Sydney rugby community, Here To Do.
Heavyd
John Solomon (38)
Just having a lunch time scrowl through my socials and see Newport's social site posted two videos from Saturday. The first one was the try in 3rd grade which has been viewed 6400 times across Insta and FB and the dying minutes of 1st grade is approaching 9500 views. Lets hope that between the 15000 views someone on the northern beaches thinks, wow I want to play rugby next year ! I'm sure the players involved have probaly watched it 10 times each but still its a lot of views and hopefully puts fire in someones belly.
Platypus
Frank Row (1)
Looking to go 6/6 and keep my Div 1 streak alive.
Here's my predictions for the finals this weekend.
Kentwell Cup
Waverley is in red hot form off the back of their 10 Steve Duke in the past few weeks, who has returned from Ireland after missing a large portion of the season. Looking forward to watching both him and Sam Ryan go toe to toe this weekend. Expecting this game to be a high scoring shootout HH by 5
Burke Cup
Exciting matchup at 1:15 on Concord oval with Waverley coming off a 6 point lost to HH and Colleagues getting the chocolates over Forest by 12. I think the Blue giants have just started to peak at the right time and will find a way to sneak through to the GF. Keep an eye on locks Ed Taylor and Alex Lennard-Jones, a key matchup in this one. Colleagues by 3
parkfootyenthusiast2
Ward Prentice (10)
On this, I've seen that Knox 1st Grade are going up against their Brothers IV Brothers legends team at the School No1 for their postponed Gala Day on Saturday. Thousands of people stream through the gates on Gala Day each year at the school (and the main event is usually the school 1st XV game at 3:15pm), I'd imagine if the club represents itself well that level of interest might lead to a few more players showing up for preseason next year - maybe there's your answer for Division 2 if it eventuates!
I've heard Wallaby #880 Nathan Charles is lacing them up for the Legends team, along with a slew of other former Shute Shield standouts like Richie Woolf and Kingsley Seale, sounds like the current crop will have their work cut out for them, just a shame it's competing with Div 1 prelims and Shute Shield grand finals...
ThatsCatty
Bob McCowan (2)
Curious as to why you think UNSW would go up?
parkfootyenthusiast2
Ward Prentice (10)
Cut One Wrap
Frank Row (1)
Were they not easily the 2nd top team in Div 2?
two Legends shot (calf and hammy) by snipers at training last night: not looking good...
CrashBandicoot
Bob McCowan (2)
Which clubs won premierships??
parkfootyenthusiast2
Ward Prentice (10)
Epping to Div 1!!!
Eastcoast
Bill Watson (15)
Div 1 Tips;
Kentwell
HH - Waverley. Great game. The winner of this I think takes out the whole thing. Waverley have been so good over the last month and come off an absolute belting of Lindfield in a Finals game. Seem to be playing very fast and very direct. Strong across the board. HH were very good last week and just couldnt get away from Blueys whenever they hit the front. The backline threatened to break the game apart on numerous occasions and can see a few tries this week on a fast Concord oval. This game will go down to the last play. HH by 3
Burke
Waverley - Colleagues. Waverley were a little bit flat last week early, however were coming home fast once the nerves had settled. A team surely cant do 14-0 and go out in straight sets. They have a good squad and similar to first grade, play very direct. Colleagues have had the ability to have this as their top squad and finished the season with some very good wins. Blue Giants will be sniffing a few grand final births this week. I dont think they do enough unfortunately. Waverley by 7
Barbour
HH - Colleagues. HH were very brave against a well drilled and in sync Mosman Colts squad. As with first grade, If HH get another shot at Mosman, I can see the result being turned around. Colleagues Colts are a quality squad and have some speed out wide. Forwards are well drilled as with most colts coming out of a Private school system. HH have alot of strong carriers in the forwards and flair out wide. HH by 7
Whiddon
Waverley - Colleagues. Waverley were knocked about last week out of the blocks. The Blueys team are very good across the board and probably benefit from coming together at the right time, whereas the Waverley team has just been strong from Week 1. Waverley will be very difficult to be beaten two weeks in a row. Colleagues have had a good year in 3's to make the Prelim, however I just cant see where their points will come from to overcome a quality Waverley outfit. Waves by 12
Judd
Colleagues - Blue Mountains. Ive tipped Blueys just to split the 4's and 5's. Hard to differentiate both teams. Both are lining up to be runners up next week to a red hot Waverley 4's. Celebrate this win like a GF win who ever gets up. Blue Mountains 4's are always very big and physical so I can see this doing enough early morning. Blueys by 5
Sutherland
Colleagues - Blue Mountains. Colleagues will go into another Sutherland cup GF here.Very good squad and just came up against a very well drilled Waverley last week. They have some skilled players in the right positions for 5th grade, which allows the others to go about their work. Blue Mountains had a huge comeback last week after being down by 3 tries but got the W. I cant see them doing it again. Colleagues by 10
Kentwell
HH - Waverley. Great game. The winner of this I think takes out the whole thing. Waverley have been so good over the last month and come off an absolute belting of Lindfield in a Finals game. Seem to be playing very fast and very direct. Strong across the board. HH were very good last week and just couldnt get away from Blueys whenever they hit the front. The backline threatened to break the game apart on numerous occasions and can see a few tries this week on a fast Concord oval. This game will go down to the last play. HH by 3
Burke
Waverley - Colleagues. Waverley were a little bit flat last week early, however were coming home fast once the nerves had settled. A team surely cant do 14-0 and go out in straight sets. They have a good squad and similar to first grade, play very direct. Colleagues have had the ability to have this as their top squad and finished the season with some very good wins. Blue Giants will be sniffing a few grand final births this week. I dont think they do enough unfortunately. Waverley by 7
Barbour
HH - Colleagues. HH were very brave against a well drilled and in sync Mosman Colts squad. As with first grade, If HH get another shot at Mosman, I can see the result being turned around. Colleagues Colts are a quality squad and have some speed out wide. Forwards are well drilled as with most colts coming out of a Private school system. HH have alot of strong carriers in the forwards and flair out wide. HH by 7
Whiddon
Waverley - Colleagues. Waverley were knocked about last week out of the blocks. The Blueys team are very good across the board and probably benefit from coming together at the right time, whereas the Waverley team has just been strong from Week 1. Waverley will be very difficult to be beaten two weeks in a row. Colleagues have had a good year in 3's to make the Prelim, however I just cant see where their points will come from to overcome a quality Waverley outfit. Waves by 12
Judd
Colleagues - Blue Mountains. Ive tipped Blueys just to split the 4's and 5's. Hard to differentiate both teams. Both are lining up to be runners up next week to a red hot Waverley 4's. Celebrate this win like a GF win who ever gets up. Blue Mountains 4's are always very big and physical so I can see this doing enough early morning. Blueys by 5
Sutherland
Colleagues - Blue Mountains. Colleagues will go into another Sutherland cup GF here.Very good squad and just came up against a very well drilled Waverley last week. They have some skilled players in the right positions for 5th grade, which allows the others to go about their work. Blue Mountains had a huge comeback last week after being down by 3 tries but got the W. I cant see them doing it again. Colleagues by 10
CrashBandicoot
Bob McCowan (2)
Too early to start rumours of taking over TG Milner and making Kentwell great again
Ref_Ted
Ted Fahey (11)
As a ref it is always interesting watching back a game with commentary. The first time you provided commentary on my game you (rightly) chastised me for not noticing a taken back in the 22m
(tackled outside and placed ball inside).There was other stuff you called out (incorrectly) though I have had to work on my hand signals this year so I am likely to blame there as well.
Here To Do
Sydney Middleton (9)
Thank you and sorry! Half the time I just end up guessing from context clues if I don't have the ref audio - I try to make it clear I'm not a ref myself (although I did get to TJ 4s and 3s earlier this year) so hopefully people don't place too much importance on what I say re: Laws
footy_footy
Larry Dwyer (12)
That one must hurt Eastcoast! Sets up a cracking Kentwell Cup GF - Waverley would be confident after knocking off Blueys well in Round 14. Will be a great atmosphere at Concord next week with two big clubs coming together.
Waverley 2s bounced in straight sets after an undefeated minor premiership. Colleagues looked impressive today and have found form when it matters.
Waverley 2s bounced in straight sets after an undefeated minor premiership. Colleagues looked impressive today and have found form when it matters.