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’.

NSW legend Andrew Johns (right) was furious when the Blues lost last year’s series in game three and shocked colleagues like Cameron Smith (left) with a foul-mouthed outburst after the siren had sounded

‘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.

‘It’s like going through a tough few weeks at work after that, no matter what.’

That tension surfaced in no uncertain terms after the Maroons took out last year’s series by winning an incredibly dramatic game three, which has gone down as one of the best Origin clashes of all time.

Johns was ropeable after the 22-12 defeat and shocked the panel – not to mention footy fans – when Queensland legend Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin asked him why the Blues didn’t live up to their tag as favourites.

In contrast, Smith and Queensland coach Billy Slater – also a Nine commentator – were all smiles after the Maroons’ dramatic series win

Bracey revealed Johns had to suffer through shocking abuse from ‘muppet’ Queensland fans after their team lifted the shield last July (pictured)

‘Why? Well, you won the big moments,’ a visibly agitated Johns said.

‘Now we have to listen to all the bulls**t from you [Queenslanders] in the next 12 months. It drives you mad.’

Bracey explained that the set Johns and his fellow panellists were on at the time was placed on the Suncorp Stadium pitch in Brisbane, close enough to the stands for fans’ comments to be heard clearly.

‘Joey’s on the end and not only is he having to listen to us [his Nine colleagues] talk about how great Queensland is, and he’s already upset about what just happened, then it’s salt in the wound.

‘Queensland on Origin night does feral better than anywhere else in the world.

‘The s**t he’s copping from these guys [fans], oh my god. There’s, like, 300 people behind the cameras and the poor guy, they just go for the jugular.

‘I get my phone out and text the producer and I’m like, ‘ticking time bomb here, what do you want to do about Joey?’

The presenter said Johns (pictured playing for NSW in 2005) was a ‘ticking time bomb’ as the ‘feral’ Queensland crowd gave it to him at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium last year

Bracey (pictured with Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater) said the tension between Nine’s stars is so thick they often don’t talk to each other while covering NSW vs Queensland games

‘He is so emotional and as a mate and a fellow commentator, I just wanted to cuddle him. Because at home, you can’t hear what these muppets are saying in the crowd. 

‘That’s why Joey is the legend that he is. And that’s why you would have wanted to play for him because that passion has never died with him. 

‘He’d run out there tomorrow if he could. You can’t buy that, it’s just there and it’s raw. As much as Joey probably hated it, it was great TV.’

Johns’ passion resurfaced again recently when he got into a stunning war of words with his brother Matthew on live radio.

The footy Immortal took offence when his sibling praised Queensland coach Slater and the way he deals with his team – and the two reportedly still aren’t speaking, despite the fact the blow-up took place more than a fortnight ago.