Footy fans blast Channel Nine for infuriating money-making tactic that took the gloss off one of the greatest Origin games ever

Footy fans have called for Channel 9 to share State of Origin broadcast rights with Fox League after growing infuriated by the network's coverage of the decider in Brisbane.

Channel 9 has the exclusive broadcast rights to Origin games and the grand final, while Fox Sports shows every game during the regular season as set out by the current TV deal with the NRL.

But angry viewers are demanding that arrangement be changed after growing frustrated by Nine's decision to run ads during the game without there being a major stoppage in play.

Typically, the ads would only be shown during a break in play but due to the feverish tempo set by both teams during the contest, there was little opportunity for ads to be shown.

As a result, fans were shown commercials when there wasn't a break in play.

And rather than occupy a small part of the screen, Nine gave the ads the lion's share of space while the live footy action was barely visible. 

Footy fans took to X - formerly known as Twitter - to blast the 'appalling' decision.

'My god. Ads within play?' one fan said. 'God Channel 9 is appalling'.

Another fan said: 'Channel 9 shoving ads into every single break in play is a joke. Having an ad while the game is happening is unacceptable.'

'Channel 9 are deplorable,' wrote a third fan. 'Tense game, no stoppages, so let's just have an ad blasted during gameplay. Run a silent ad along the bottom or something. Give me strength.' 

Supporters were also far from impressed with the decision to interview the Origin coaches during the game itself.

The free-to-air network panned to both coaches to gauge their thoughts on the early exchanges in the first half at Suncorp Stadium in the series decider.

Initially touted as groundbreaking analysis, supporters took to X - the social media platform formerly known as Twitter - to voice their frustration at the move.

'Someone please start a petition to stop Nine’s interviewing of the coaches during play,' fed up fan Brendan Crabb tweeted.

Another posted: 'Does anyone else hate it when they go to the coaches for a comment during the game??

A third weighed in with: 'Mid game interviews are utterly pointless. Please stop.'