http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/manly-sea-eagles-filthy-over-channel-nine-snub/story-e6frexnr-1225864696776
Manly chief executive Graham Lowe yesterday labelled the snub as "flawed" and "embarrassing for the game".
The Sea Eagles will have to wait until round 13 before the Nine cameras roll into Brookvale for a match against Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.
Manly are stunned their match with traditional rivals Parramatta - in NRL heritage week - has been pushed back to Monday night with Nine to telecast Cronulla's match against Penrith at Toyota Stadium this Sunday.
Nine opted to cover Melbourne versus Brisbane last Sunday with the big game between Manly and St George Illawarra a Fox Sports game on Saturday night.
And ratings for the Storm-Broncos game were down in Sydney.
The Anzac Day game the previous weekend between St George Illawarra and the Roosters attracted more than 315,000 viewers in Sydney - Sunday's match was watched by 250,000 people. It did rate strongly in Brisbane though.
The Manly-Parramatta game will be the Sea Eagles' fourth Monday night match in 10 rounds.
Privately, Manly are filthy their jumper and shorts sponsors are being overlooked while the sponsors of Melbourne - salary cap cheats - are obtaining ample exposure.
"It's obviously a concern. We raised this matter with Nine a month ago and the situation has not improved," said Lowe. "We are seeking a meeting with the station's executives to find out why we are one of the front-running teams in the comp yet are on the nose at Nine.
"We have been more than patient but our fans are increasingly asking why they cannot see their team on free-to-air television. It's got to the embarrassing stage for Channel 9 and, unfortunately, for the game.
"We are thrilled with the coverage Fox Sports is providing but unfortunately not everyone has pay-TV.
"Fox must be laughing because they are getting the feature games when Nine has first choice.
"With all due respect, the Cronulla-Penrith game is not the feature match this Sunday. In fact, it is probably the third-rated game of the three matches being played."
Nine's director of sport, Steve Crawley, was unavailable for comment yesterday but NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said: "Manly have made it clear they are unhappy about the situation and given their current form I can appreciate their view.
"However, it must be remembered that games are currently being selected
some 10 weeks in advance and there is a degree of guess work in predicting the most attractive game so far advanced."
10 weeks ago I could have told them that was a dud choice
