Andrew Voss - Going in Boots n
All

In 2001 Andrew Voss originally intended to make a rugby league bloopers type of show. The format was to run four to six weeks, however thanks to a great response from the fans, the show evolved into what it is today - "Boots n All".

At age eight Andrew Voss began telling anyone who cared to listen that he would be a rugby league caller one day. The first game he ever called in full was at the 1992 sevens tournament between Balmain and St George, on Radio 2UE in Sydney.

Vossy agreed to this interview for the forum 7's.

How do you feel personally when Rugby League is in the papers for the wrong reasons?

I'm a bit tired of the off field stories. I get tired of reporting on them and discussing them. I love talking footy, but it gets hard when everyone from my local newsagent to the bloke in the local garage is asking me which bulldogs player did this, or wants me to confirm or deny some rumour.

As far as football internet forums go, do you feel that they have a place within the Rugby League for the discussion of issues.

I have no problems with fans forums as they need a place to voice their opinion. Just as long as they deal in the truth. If we at Channel Nine want a reaction to something we've done, or want to tap into public opinion, it's the first place we look.

When comments like having 'delusions of adequacy' are made, does this have any affect on you?

That's one of Ray Hadley's comments. He threatened me when I left 2UE in 1994 (he was my boss at the time) with the line "if you go to television you will disappear down a black hole". He has constantly tried to discredit and embarrass me since and I have never replied in public to his remarks and I am not about to start now. I just try to do my job the best way I can. This year is my tenth in television and I am proud of that because it is something I had never thought I would do.

What sort of hole does the passing of Peter Frilingos create?

Peter Frilingos was a very good rugby league reporter with many contacts. He was also an entertaining broadcaster who I learnt a number of things from through working with for seven years. He will be missed.

If there was one thing you could change about Rugby League what would it be?

Second team playing out of Brisbane is a must.

The highlight of your involvement in League?

It'll sound corny but I love every game I work on. There's never once been an occasion over the 18 years I've been involved in the media that I haven't looked forward to working at the football. Forced to nominate one game, I would say the 2000 world cup final at Old Trafford in Manchester between Australia and New Zealand.

Most embarrassing moment or call?

The worst feeling is when you call a player wrong, particularly is they've scored a try. Ask any caller, you hate making mistakes.

What is the worst on-field incident you have ever had to call?

To be honest the worst thing I had to call was at the superleague world nines in Fiji in 1996. Not being able to see the players due to monsoonal rain. I think the match was Morocco versus Japan. An all time great clash! A farce of a tournament.

Childhood sporting hero?

Almost too many to mention. Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Bob McCarthy, Rod Marsh, Doug Walters.

Who's your tip to win the Darts comp?

There will only be individual club winners in the darts as it is a logistics nightmare trying to get players from different clubs to play each other. Newcastle's Timana Tahu is very good.

The NRL computer game has been a huge success, has your involvement in it been rewarding?

I'll be honest, I'm not a big video game player so I didn't really know fully what I was getting myself into. It was a fascinating project to be involved with. There are some extremely clever people in this world. I am blown away by the work that was put into the game. To be honest my role was only minor when you compare the hours put into it by the computer programmers.

Thanks Vossy !!

Posted in the 'The Front Row' Forum Sevens Competition. To view the full competition, click here.

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