‘Landmark moment’: Emma Lawrence to become first woman to call NRL games

Emma Lawrence will become the first woman in NRL broadcast history to call a game, with Triple M including “one of the sharpest broadcasters in rugby league” on its play-by-play commentary team for the new season.

Lawrence, one of the most respected voices in the game, will enter the domain previously reserved for men in a move the radio station called a “landmark moment”. Female voices are present across broader coverage of the NRL, but a woman has never been handed the prestigious play-by-play call before.

The move follows other sports which showcase women as lead commentators for men’s matches, including Kelli Underwood on AFL and Isa Guha on cricket.

Sports commentator Kate Allman said it was “a win for all women working in commentary and sport broadcasting”.

“Commentary booths have for a long time been male-dominated spaces and particularly in the role of play-by-play,” Allman said.

“Someone has to be first to shatter that glass ceiling. It’s never easy to get to that first spot or to stay there, but it will hopefully open the door for more women in future.”

Lawrence said she was “pumped” to step into the new role for the 2026 NRL season. “Calling the game that I love alongside such an elite crew is an absolute thrill, and I can’t wait to take listeners through every tackle, try, and big moment,” she said.

Allman, who commentates on football, hockey, swimming and athletics, among other sports, added that the faith shown in women was overdue, not just in rugby league, but in all sports.

“Men still vastly outnumber women in play-by-play roles – even in codes where there are willing, experienced and capable women ready to lead the call,” she said. “Australia is behind the rest of the world in this space.”

Lawrence, who joined Triple M in 2017 and has been a regular on Rush Hour NSW and Channel Nine’s NRL coverage, told the Daily Telegraph she had been preparing for the new season by commentating over old games on the television at home with the sound off.

“Emma stepping into the play-by-play call team is a no-brainer,” said Ewan Giles, Southern Cross Australia’s head of sports content.

“Emma is one of the sharpest broadcasters in rugby league and is prepared, instinctive, and respected across the industry, and this opportunity reflects how highly regarded she is at Triple M.”

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