NRL fans call for immediate action after Ray Warren goes public with sad revelation
Warren retired in 2021 after a career that spanned over 50 years and saw him call 99 State of Origin games, 45 grand finals, the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and numerous major swimming meets. Last year there were rumours he was keen to come out of retirement and call his 100th Origin game, but he put those to bed and has always resisted calls to return.
But speaking on 2GB radio this week, 'Rabs' admitted he's struggling in retirement and is deeply missing commentating. 'I am not handling it (my retirement) all that well to be honest,' he said in an interview with Mark Levy. 'Leaving what I was doing was like cutting off my arm. (But) I was 78 when I gave it away, so I didn't have much longer to go.'
Ray Warren flags possibility of calling NRL games from home
Warren admitted he wouldn't be able to call games in-person anymore, but would be open to doing it from the comfort of his home. Although he admitted he'd be worried he'd undo all the good work he's done if he made some major mistakes.
'It is flattering (that people want me to come out of retirement) and I guess I love it deep down, but I don't think they realised I was 78 when I gave it away and I didn't want to undo all the good I might have done,' he said. 'That's the long and the short of it. But now I sit down and think I might be able to do a call from home.'
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The fact he flagged being able to call games from home peaked the interest of NRL fans. On social media, there have been dozens of comments calling for Channel 9 to accommodate the move and get something set-up at Warren's house.
One person wrote: "Please lord make it happen." Another wrote: "Make it a national priority." While a third added: "I want a state of the art recording studio set up in his house within the next 24 hours."
Ray Warren previously shot down calls to return
Many pointed out that networks often don't send their commentators to the game in-person, with calling from a studio becoming more commonplace in the last few years. Since Warren's retirement, the state of NRL commentary has always been a source of frustration for fans.
'I had a great career, 55 years," he said last year. "At the end of 2021, I decided that that would do me. Why would I take that risk of undoing whatever good I might have done? I got out while I was going reasonably well.'
He previously admitted State of Origin could be do-able because it's "one of the easier games to call because everyone knows the players so well." He said: "I could get through another (Origin) game no problem."
@NRLonNine I want a state of the art recording studio set up in his house within the next 24 hours
— Ouch (@OuchPhins) August 11, 2025
Wouldn't be any different to Fox commentating from the studio.
— Deport Everyone (@wemustdeport) August 11, 2025
Yes please
— Dylan Bakestien (@dylpickems) August 11, 2025
Give the people what they want
— Kell Loz (@KellieLoz) August 11, 2025
Better than any of them now
— Will (@darksilver09yt) August 11, 2025
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