Journalist Mark Stevens said: \u201cThat anthem at Origin was horrendous.\u201d<\/p>\n
While fellow reporter Lachlan McKirdy added: \u201cDidn\u2019t realise the national anthem was called Edvence Estrelia Feair.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel Watson Hayes added: \u201cOverheard some shocking renditions of the Australian national anthem over the years, but that one takes the cake. That was horrendous. Whoever hired him is tone deaf.\u201d<\/p>\n
While another person said: \u201cHard to think of a more terrible rendition of the national anthem than what Robbie Mortimer just served up.\u201d<\/p>\n
More replies quickly surfaced, Real Rick saying: \u201cThat national anthem was butchered like nothing I\u2019ve ever heard before What the f*** was that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Al Garlando replied: \u201cThe national anthem was just murdered live on national television to start the State of Origin.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew Macdougall said: \u201cPossibly the worst signing of the national anthem I have ever heard.\u201d<\/p>\n
And Jake reacted: \u201cIs it just me or did the guy singing the national anthem sound like someone taking the p*** out of an Australian accent?\u201d<\/p>\n
But there was some praise for the anthem as one fan acknowledged just how difficult a job it is.<\/p>\n
Callum said: \u201cAt least the national anthem didn\u2019t become a pop song like many others I\u2019ve heard.\u201d
While news.com.au reader Jenny said from inside the stadium: \u201cThe anthem sounded fine on the ground, I sang along, it seemed ok to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The criticism of the national anthem comes after Channel 9 had already received a host of scathing comments about their broadcast coverage.<\/p>\n
Viewers are often able to watch NRL games on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports throughout the season.<\/p>\n
But the Origin series is one of the few times during the year when all Aussie footy lovers have to switch over to Channel 9.<\/p>\n
And it is safe to say the backlash was fierce on social media as they broadcast was widely slammed.<\/p>\n
One fan said: \u201cState of Origin games are one of the four times a year I watch Channel 9. The other being the Grand Final. <\/p>\n
![\"NSW](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1311ae6fea9e09fc4e5646ac3ba42728.jpeg\")
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\u201cI\u2019m always struck by how outdated a poor their coverage is. Also, the other shows they advertise during their coverage look like brain rot!\u201d<\/p>\n
Another added: \u201cCh9 coverage has been terrible for many years. It\u2019s frustrating having to watch Origin and GFs (Grand Finals) because they have the rights to those.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes Fox have a few annoying commentators but overall their commentary, coverage and production is not even comparable to 9s.\u201d<\/p>\n
A third replied: \u201cI\u2019m exactly the same. When you only watch 4 games a year on Ch9 it stands out even more how pathetic the coverage is.\u201d<\/p>\n
A raging fourth simply responded: \u201cOver the Ch9 coverage already.\u201d<\/p>\n
And another said: \u201cWhy are channel 9 commentators so annoying?\u201d<\/p>\n