Erin Molan handed new role after ugly saga surrounding Andrew Johns
Erin Molan will host Channel Nine’s coverage of the Women’s T20 World Cup in the latest twist to the ugly dramas surrounding her and Andrew Johns.
Channel Nine copped flak from fans last year after Australian tennis legend Todd Woodbridge hosted their coverage of the Ashes series in England.
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With Nine and Seven swapping coverage of the cricket and tennis last year, Nine were left without many recognisable cricket hosts when they retained broadcasting rights for the Ashes.
And that situation has continued with Nine hosting the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup.
Usually the host of Nine’s rugby league coverage, Molan will now host the cricket starting on Friday.
Channel Nine confirmed the change on Wednesday.
She will be joined by fellow NRL host James Bracey, with Woodbridge not required.
Molan and Bracey were both used to host Nine’s coverage of the Australian Open in January, as well as the NRL in 2019.
Dramas revolve around Molan and Johns
It remains to be seen how Nine will handle the ugly situation involving Molan and Johns after they reportedly fell out late last year.
The Sunday Telegraph initially reported that Johns walked out on his role on Friday night football because of an “awkward” falling out with Molan.
Johns started the 2019 season on Friday night footy alongside Molan, before disappearing midway through the year.
He was subsequently replaced by Billy Slater - which Channel Nine said was a selfless gesture from Johns to get Slater more air time.
Johns himself denied the reports, telling the Telegraph: “Where did you hear that from? Good old rugby league just thrives on rumours and innuendo.”
The ugly saga has cast a shadow over Molan’s future and her non-attendance at Channel Nine’s NRL launch event in November only fuelled speculation she is set to be replaced.
Channel Nine reporter Danika Mason posted a snap of the launch on Instagram, with Molan's absence raising more than a few eyebrows.
Curiously, Mason was placed to the side of one of the trophies on display in the photo, opposite regular host Bracey and next to Johns - suggesting she could be set for a more prominent role in 2020.
Molan was the only one of Nine's biggest stars missing from the event which also included Peter Sterling, Johnathan Thurston, Slater, Paul Gallen, Allana Ferguson, Darren Lockyer, Ruan Sims, Sam Thaiday and Brad Fittler.
The Sunday Telegraph reported that Molan’s absence was due to family commitments in Canberra.
Molan feels toll of nasty fan treatment
Molan copped some horrendous treatment from fans last year, leading to an outpouring of support from her colleagues.
She was brought to tears in an emotional interview on WSFM in October, breaking her silence on the Johns saga in an interview with Jonesy and Amanda.
“I am so sorry, I haven’t put my contacts in this morning. I had a rough night. I didn’t sleep very well and these are prescriptions,” Molan explained as she was wearing sunglasses.
Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller both threw their support behind Molan - bringing the Channel Nine presenter to tears.
“I get emotional with this Erin, I don’t understand why people give you a hard time,” Keller said.
“It pisses me off. And I think it’s because you are so professional and you are so good at your job, that I think that men don’t like you being good at what they still see as their world.
“I admire the pants off you or the eyeballs off you and I just think you are the most professional female and it’s threatened everybody.”
Keller was also brought to tears after seeing Molan break down.
“Your daughter would be so proud of you. You’re breaking the glass ceiling for a generation,” Keller added.
