Channel 9 sports journalist Owen Leonard’s face said it all as an apparent blooper was shown live on TV.
The presenter’s Tuesday night report from outside the WACA in Perth went off the rails when he suddenly pulled up in the middle of a sentence.
Leonard was reporting on further delays to the iconic cricket ground’s redevelopment project when something appeared to irk him.
“The new look WACA complete with a water-slide was set to be open for the public to enjoy by November,” he said.
“We can reveal that’s now been blown out until after the school holidays.”
This is when Leonard pulled up and grimaced like his brain had been broken.
“Ah f***,” he could be heard saying.
After turning away to reach for some notes in his pocket, the presenter went on like a true professional.
“It is set to be completed by the end of the year, but a series of testing will then need to be undertaken on the facilities,” he said.
“At that time as well the WACA will commit some of their resources to the Perth Scorchers for their Big Bash League season.”
When Leonard signed off the report, 9News anchor Michael Thomson carried on like nothing had happened, diving into the next story on the bulletin.
It appeared to be classic case of production staff rolling the wrong footage, leaving Leonard something of a laughing stock.
One clip of the stitch-up that has spread across social media was shared on TikTok where users couldn’t help cracking jokes.
“So Australian,” one TikTok user posted.
A second said: “It was so good and relatable haha! I don’t even watch the news usually but managed to see this.”
Another commented: “He’s human he’s doing his best.”
“And that’s the last time we see Owen on Channel 9,” another posted.
One TikTok viewer posted: “Oh. My. God”.
Another version of the footage has been shared on Instagram with one user writing: “Man just wanted to go on the water-slide”.
Leonard has not yet posted on social media since the footage was broadcast.
The story he was reporting on centred on the controversial $184 million redevelopment.
The project includes an aquatic centre, gym, cafe and function centre.
