SEN to broadcast three separate State of Origin commentaries

People who are listening to next week’s State of Origin on the radio next week will have three options from SEN.

There will have a “hard and fast” ‘neutral’ call, as well as ‘Blue’s Radio’ for “unashamedly biased” NSW supporters, and ‘Maroons Radio” for “one-eyed Queensland fans”.

The ‘neutral’ call will be available on Sydney’s new 1170 SEN. as well as 1116 SEN Melbourne, and 1629 SEN SA, plus Western Australian relays. It will be spearheaded by the West Tigers’ highest-ever points scorer, Joel Caine, who will be joined by former Blues and Canterbury-Bankstown Western Bulldogs player, Brett Kimmorley.

Blues Radio will be called by two former players Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach and Jimmy Smith. It will be available on the SEN app, and across more than 20 regional NSW stations and 2SM Sydney, plus SENTrack’s 1575 Wollongong.

Roach said he is confident of a Blues victory and thus plans to “call it as biased as I possibly can”.

“I have no problem harnessing the hatred,” he added.

‘Maroons Radio’ will be helmed by former players and commentators including Gary Belcher, Scott Sattler, and Mark Braybrook. It will be heard on the SEN app, 15 regional Queensland stations, plus SENTrack stations Brisbane 1053 AM and Gold Coast 1620 AM.

Belcher promised listeners “the most parochial Maroons call going”.

“I’m tipping a mighty Maroons victory next week with 10 fresh debutantes including some young superstars coming into the side,” he added.

Sports Entertainment Network CEO, Craig Hutchison, said fans would be spoilt for choice.

“Whether you’re a Blues or Maroons fan, we’ve lined-up a first-class commentary team, loaded with the best play-by-play callers and experts,” Hutchison said.

“We staunchly believe in choice for sports fans and calling the game three ways gives you every choice of how you wish to consume the Ampol State of Origin series – in the most fun way possible.

“State of Origin is fuelled by rivalry and passion, so whether you want an ‘unbiased’ call, or one that’s proudly biased towards your own State, SEN will give it to you.”

COVID-19 has disrupted the State of Origin’s three-match schedule, which will now take place in three successive weeks across three different cities.

Match one takes place in Adelaide on Wednesday, November 4 next week. Game two is the following week at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, and match three is slated for Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on November 18.