Channel Nine star reveals what really goes on in the commentary box at State of Origin James Bracey
Channel Nine's panel of great players might seem like they're getting on fine during State of Origin games but that couldn't be further from the truth, according to presenter James Bracey.
The figurehead for the broadcaster's coverage of the intense NSW vs Queensland clashes has come clean on the simmering tensions that put the panel on edge as what happens on the field reopens old wounds in the studio.
Bracey also revealed the abuse that prompted Blues legend Andrew 'Joey' Johns to shock fans and his colleagues by complaining about having to 'listen to all the bulls**t' from Queenslanders when the Maroons won last year's series in game three.
The presenter described the tension on the set during Origin games as 'horrible'.
'It is legit tension. Not even the Brad [Fittler, NSW coach] and Billy [Slater, Maroons coach] thing, mate - the whole commentary team,' he told the Bloke in a Bar podcast.
'The first year I started, that was one of the first things I noticed ... You'd be there on Origin night and they wouldn't talk to each other, there was this weird vibe in the comm [commentary] box before the game.