Channel Nine presenter Emma Lawrence is reportedly undertaking intensive training to become the first woman in Australian rugby league history to deliver play-by-play commentary, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Breaking New Ground in Sports Broadcasting
The television personality, who already contributes to Triple M's NRL coverage, has been using the offseason to refine her commentary delivery at the radio network's studios. Lawrence aims to make her debut as a primary caller in 2026, which would represent a significant milestone for the sport.
Australian rugby league currently trails behind Australian Rules football in providing women with primary commentary responsibilities. Kelli Underwood made history in 2009 when she became the first woman to call an AFL match on television, subsequently repeating the achievement for radio coverage.
The Path to Commentary History
While Lawrence works alongside several respected female experts and sideline reporters in Nine's NRL coverage team, including Ruan Sims, Danika Mason and Allana Ferguson, none have yet assumed the primary play-calling role. Should she succeed, Lawrence would join established commentators like Dan Ginnane and Nine's Mat Thompson in the prestigious play-by-play position.
The potential breakthrough comes as the NRL continues to lag behind its rival code in gender representation within commentary boxes. Lawrence's reported ambition signals a positive step toward addressing this imbalance in rugby league broadcasting.
Preparing for Potential Backlash
If Kelli Underwood's experience serves as any indication, Lawrence may need to brace herself for criticism once she takes up the microphone. The pioneering AFL commentator has faced consistent brutal feedback from online trolls throughout her career, targeting everything from her voice to her presenting style.
Underwood's challenges persisted even when she received an Order of Australia Medal in this year's Australia Day honours. Reflecting on her groundbreaking role, she described being the first woman to enter an AFL commentary box as touching a "red hot" door handle.
"I knew what was waiting for me on the other side – but I had a fire in the belly," Underwood stated. "I deeply believed it was the right thing to do. I also thought if it wasn't me, then who is going to do it?"
Her resilience over nearly two decades in the role demonstrates the challenges female pioneers often face in sports broadcasting.
Light-hearted Glimpses Behind the Scenes
Earlier this year, Lawrence offered fans an amusing insight into her relationships with Nine colleagues during an appearance on Mark Geyer's podcast. The conversation revealed how she acquired the nickname "Grubby" from co-host James Bracey.
Lawrence attributed the moniker to her less-than-tidy car habits, recounting how a cameraman once discovered raw broccoli on her vehicle floor during the Queensland bubble period. The nickname has since become a regular feature during on-air crosses, though newsreader Pete Overton reportedly disapproves of the term.
As Lawrence continues her commentary training, the sports broadcasting world watches with interest to see if she will successfully break this significant barrier in Australian rugby league.
