Meet the hosts of Over the Black Dot, NITV's new rugby league show

Players, journos and personalities, find out more about the people about to take over your televisions.

Owen now hosts NITV's Rugby League show Over The Black Dot. Source: NITV

Who's coming to rugby league Wednesdays on NITV? But more importantly, which teams do they support?

Djuro Sen

Djuro Sen (Ryan Stuart) Source: Ryan Stuart

A seasoned journalist, Djuro Sen has covered sports as a reporter, commentator, writer and even podcaster for nearly 30 years. He's covered almost everything from the Olympics with Channel 7, to the Koori Knockout on NITV. His career began with ABC on an Indigenous sports traineeship. After working in Sydney, Hobart and Brisbane, Djuro began television work with Channel 7, and during that time, won rugby awards for best coverage. Djuro has also worked as the media manager for the Australian Wallabies and the Waratahs. 

The Gamilaroi man, born in Goondiwindi on the Queensland-NSW border was interesting raised on a tobacco farm near Texas, US and in Tamworth, NSW. He has been dedicated to sports, particularly rugby, but also has a passion for science and technology. He is currently the founder and director of Image Matrix, a media production company.  

Who's your team? Roosters - just like my mum. Favourite player was Hugh McGahan.

Has a game of rugby ever brought you to tears? Under 12s, because I wore a PJ top under my jersey Tamworth.

What can Over the Black Dot audiences expect from you? A lot of straight talk - some serious and some fun. Great analysis on men’s and women’s footy. Interviews with Indigenous super stars and much more ... All that in a fast and furious 30 minutes.

Tanisha Stanton

Tanisha Stanton (Ryan Stuart) Source: Ryan Stuart

At just 22, Gamilaroi/Yuwaalaraay woman, Tanisha Stanton has an impressive line of sporting achievements. Born in Dubbo, then raised in Newcastle, Tanisha attended Hunter Sport High School. When was 16, she was awarded the Deadly Award for 'Most promising new talent in Sport'. Tanisha is a successful netball player, having represented both, NSW and Australia and currently plays in the premiership leagues. In 2013, Tanisha was offered a scholarship for netball at the Australian Institute of Sport. When she's not on the court, she's on the grass, and is a dynamite touch/rugby star. Tanisha has also represented NSW and Australia in touch football, as well as played for the Australian All-Stars Rugby League team and celebrated two wins in the Koori Knockout.

Living and breathing sport, Tanisha is in the know. Her first hosting gig was in 2013 on NITV's 'Barefoot Sunday' program, which was subsequently nominated for a Logie Award and last year, she joined Hannah Hollis to commentate on the Women's All Stars match. 

Who's your team? Cronulla Sharks 

Has a game of rugby ever brought you to tears? I teared up this year when the Indigenous Allstars womens team beat the World Allstars womens team. This is the first time ever the World Allstars womens team have been beaten by the Indigenous team, such a significant moment in womens rugby league and a special moment for our Indigenous community.  

What can Over the Black Dot audiences expect from you? Throughout Over the Black Dot I will be out and about, conducting interviews with players, coaches and officials. Finding out who they are, where they are from and what makes them tick, whilst also getting an inside scoop on how their teams are tracking and what their teams' plans are throughout the season.

George Rose

'Gorgeous George' Rose (Ryan Stuart) Source: Ryan Stuart

Nicknamed 'Gorgeous George', the former premiership player is one of the games' most loved characters. Kicking off his career in the junior Bathurst Penguins, the powerful prop from NSW has grown up living and breathing league ... with a side of fried chicken. Humble Rose refers to himself as a "footy player" rather than an athlete, despite being one of the country's favourite sportsmen. During his NRL career, Rose has played for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (with whom he won the 2011 premiership), Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons. He has also played in the Indigenous Dreamtime Team and Indigenous All Stars team. He was awarded Man of the Match for his performance in 2015.

Who's your team? I have soft spots for teams like Sea Eagles and Dragons, but generally I support players over teams - mainly the Indigenous players.

Has a game of rugby ever brought you to tears? Winning my first Koori Knockout in Armidale. I was sobbing and could barely speak. I'm pretty sure NITV caught it all on TV, so I'll be taking advantage of my time at NITV to raid the archives and delete that shame footage.

What can Over the Black Dot audiences expect from you? I'll be speaking my mind talking about the things I like in Rugby League plus having some good chats to current Players while cruising the streets.

 

Owen Craigie

Owen Craigie (Ryan Stuart) Source: Ryan Stuart

Rugby league legend, Andrew Johns once labelled Owen Craigie as, 'the most naturally gifted footballer he'd ever seen.' Hailing from Tingha, NSW (about 25 km outside of Inverell), Owen has long and successful career in the NRL, taking him from Sydney to the UK. The five-eighth, although occasionally playing as Centre and Full-Back, has represented Newcastle Knights, Wests Tigers, South Sydney Rabbitohs, and even played in the UK for the Widnes Vikings.

Owen showed league promise at a very young age. He is the only player to make the Australian Schoolboys Team three consecutive years in a row, and more impressively, he was still in Year 10, when he made his premiership debut with the Knights, taking on the mighty Brisbane Broncos with the likes of Wendell Sailor and Steve Renouf.  

Who's your team? Newcastle Knights and South Sydney

Has a game of rugby ever brought you to tears? When South Sydney won in 2014

What can Over the Black Dot audiences expect from you? Straight shooter and to the point. I like to think I tell it as it is.

 

NITV's brand new Rugby League show, Over the Black Dot, kicks off tonight at 9.30pm on NITV Ch. 34