Phil Small has been the voice bringing Canberra Raiders fans every breathtaking high and heartbreaking low for some 25 years. In the blink of an eye, it is all over.
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It appears Small has called his last match despite being booked to head to the Gold Coast for the Raiders' NRL season opener alongside 2CC Canberra co-commentator Chris O'Brien and sideline eye Joe Prevedello next week.
The AM station has lost control of the rights to broadcast Raiders games just days before the season opener following a battle with Crocmedia, with Small conceding "I don't know where the whole thing has fallen down".
Macquarie Media extended its radio broadcast agreement with the Australian Rugby League Commission in 2018 for an additional five years, with regional markets receiving the coverage through a sub-licence rights deal with Crocmedia.
It means the crestfallen 2CC trio have been overlooked for Raiders games at the 11th hour, with Sydney-based 2GB set to seize control for the 2019 season.
"Chris and I have been doing it for close to 25 years, we brought up 500 games the season before last. We’ve had quite a long history together, and Joe has been with us for the past couple of years," Small said.
"That’s the worst thing about it. I enjoy it, it’s not for money, it doesn’t pay a lot. I love doing it. I’ve got my job during the week so that’s not an issue, it’s just something I’ve always done.
"It kept me in close contact as far as the Raiders are concerned, because they’re my team. I’ve got a passion for them as a unit and some of the blokes involved, it’s just a bit of a blow. That’s unfortunately regional media.
"I don’t have any animosity towards 2CC, but certainly there was an issue in that negotiation process somewhere along the line and Canberra has missed out again.
"It’s a bit of a blow for a regional station that has a bit of a dig, and we’ve tried to produce something for a long period of time. Because of the whim of a national, we’re in a position where we’re not going to be able to provide the service."
Small has been approached about the prospect of hosting a 2CC Canberra rugby league show on Friday nights in the hope they can regain the rights to Raiders games next year.
How realistic that end goal might be, Small isn't sure. For now, he can do little more than reflect on the end of an era.
