22 hours ago
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Channel Nine star Emma Lawrence is reportedly working on her commentary skills in a bid to become the first woman in the history of Australian rugby league to deliver play-by-play calls.
Lawrence – who also commentates for Triple M's NRL coverage – has been using the offseason to practice her delivery at the radio giant's studio in the hopes of making her debut in 2026, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Should she be successful, Lawrence will break new ground for the code, which still lags a long way behind Aussie Rules when it comes to women taking the primary calling responsibilities.
Kelli Underwood became the first woman to call an AFL match on TV in 2009, in addition to doing the same for radio coverage.
Lawrence works with several respected female experts and sideline reporters while covering the NRL for Nine, including Ruan Sims, Danika Mason and Allana Ferguson, but none of them have ever taken on the primary play-calling responsibilities.
Should she be successful, Lawrence will join Triple M's Dan Ginnane in taking up the play-by-play job.
Nine and Triple M star Emma Lawrence (pictured at this year's Dally M ceremony) is reportedly training to become Aussie rugby league's first female play-by-play caller
Lawrence (pictured) is using the offseason to brush up on her commentary skills as she seeks to join callers like Dan Ginnane and Nine's Mat Thompson
If Underwood's experience is any guide, the Nine star should prepare for backlash once she gets behind the microphone next season.
The former host of the ABC's Offsiders sport panel show has repeatedly been hit with brutal criticism from trolls who have criticised her voice, style and presence throughout her career.
Underwood was even targeted when she was acknowledged in the Australia Day honours list with the Order of Australia Medal this January.
'The best way to describe it – I put my hand on the door handle before anyone thought a woman had earnt the right to walk through the door,' she said in response to the criticism.
'I knew at the time that door handle would be red hot. I knew what was waiting for me on the other side – but I had a fire in the belly. 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?
'The fact that nearly 20 years ago I was the first woman to step inside an AFL commentary box to commentate, this (OAM) just feels like a pat on the back for being brave and resilient at the end of the day.'
Earlier this year, Lawrence gave her fans a light-hearted insight into her relationship with her Nine colleagues while speaking to NRL legend Mark Geyer on his podcast.
Nine's NRL team features Lawrence (left) and other respected female footy reporters like Allana Ferguson (right)
Lawrence's mooted move to play-by-play calling comes as the NRL lags far behind the AFL, with Kelli Underwood (right) breaking that ground for the rival code in 2009
'I've known you about 12 years, how'd the nickname "Grubby" come up?' Geyer asked with a smile.
'Did Bracey [Channel Nine personality James Bracey] tell you that? What a dog,' Lawrence replied as they both laughed.
She then went on to explain that it was her hygienic efforts in her car that led to the nickname.
'A few things, everything's dirty, my car is filthy,' she said.
'Like, if I wanted to give you a lift you wouldn't even be able to put your feet on the floor.
'When I was actually living in Queensland, when the footy was up there in the bubble, our cameraman went to the car for me,' she continued.
'And he said 'I found this floret of broccoli, there was just raw broccoli on the floor.
'So now they all, except for Pete Overton, he doesn't like it, when they do the cross, Brace says 'hello grubby how are you?'.
'Pete says, "Don't say that to my Emma".'
