Canned sports crowd noise is a new variant for me, but canned laughter used on TV (which is where I presume they got the idea from - unless they thought they were the first to think of it) has been the bugbear of many for generations, which is why I was surprised they did that as it's such a well known detested practice.

I remember years back, just to use an example, Judy Dench did a show that used CL & there was a massive backlash for it because it made it unwatchable for many. It was the one with the Yes, Minister guy - or something like that. The bottom line was they were saying it was well written etc but ruined by canned laughter. It wasn't the first show to cop it either. 

I'm not being critical on the broadcaster for trying things, but as long as they're good ideas, not bad or divisive ones & in this case they should've known. For both 9 & Fox to do it isn't good for those that can't stand that kind of thing. Good luck to those it doesn't bother, sweet dreams, but for the rest it's awful, like seeing a used car dealer put a Mercedes badge on a beat up old Hyundai & trying to do a con job on you, especially when you know & accept there's restrictions & just want to watch sport without that kind of thing in the ear all the way. 
 

Seriously why not play various John Williams soundtracks over the game... 
Imagine Remis tip toeing down the sideline the Indiana Jones theme... 
The Jaws soundtrack when a cover defender hits a runner from the side...

or even dub actual movie scripts over the game... Cam Smith approaches a solo referee to the Datth Vadet tune, then cuts to Smith saying “I find your lack of faith disturbing”...

St Merge would be "Puff the Magic Dragon"..... but then Cronulla could use that too hey 🤔.

I am truly surprised as to why anyone can be so against it....

Did you watch our round 2 game or any other round 2 games? Please dont tell me you prefer those.

This is by far better than any of that telecast. The canned noise was almost expertly dubbed in and as Zef pointed out never overpowered the commentary and only complemented the raised excited voices.

I dare say it sounded better than any other games with crowds. 

I also like the camera work and close ups  which purposely tried to keep the empty background stands out of site.

I can only commend Fox on what they did. 

Of course I watched in round 2. I agree that it was an empty soul-less atmosphere compared to what everyone is used to. There's a reason for that & I acknowledge it without trying to pretend it wasn't by sticking a cassette in my ear. I'm not trying to ruin it for anyone that prefers it with the added soundtrack, nor am I trying to get under anyone's skin about it. The stadiums are empty, I accept it, it's different, but that's the way it is. They could probably "green screen" everything from the sidelines & edit in footage of crowds too, it's just that it'd also be fake & myself & others would know it from the get go & be distracted by it all the way. If it's empty I can't see the point of pretending otherwise & that includes hearing church mice, pins dropping & more than we need to from the ref or players on the field, because that's the way it is under the circumstances. It's real, not a movie.

I reckon J Moz for 1st try scorer