To Erin Molan, a piece of advice – haters gonna hate. But that doesn’t make this situation any easier.
Some of you may have missed this story, so here’s a quick recap.
Molan had been appearing in a regular segment on the Kyle and Jackie O Show called ‘Let’s get to know Erin’.
On Friday 1st August, Erin decided that she would no longer be appearing on the show following questions from viewers wondering whether she had had a boob job, and how many cricketers she had ‘been with’.
She was then told by Kyle Sandilands that “nobody was listening” to her on The Footy Show and that her family were “probably coke-heads”.
I would like to take this opportunity to ask Kyle Sandilands whether he has had a penis enlargement? Is this appropriate in any context?
The interview in its entirety is not to be blamed on Sandilands.
Listeners submitted the aforementioned questions, and quite frankly I am surprised and disgusted that the producers of the show let these questions through.
However, Sandilands was part of the interview, continued a line of questioning and a series of comments which were inappropriate and then needed to be told by Jackie O that enough was enough.
Interviews like this suggest that, despite the plethora of talented women we have in our game, we still have a very long way to go before women are taken seriously as sport commentators.
As a female rugby league fan, I have been inspired by a series of women this year who contribute to our sport.
Names like Raelene Castle, Catharine Lumby, Debbie Spillane, Linda Burney and Kasey Badger are inspirational.
Through their work and commitment to sport and rugby league, they are showing the tremendous talent women have and the contribution women can make to sport.
Similarly, Dave Smith has taken a strong stance and the NRL has announced a whole series of reforms aimed at increasing the level of female participation in our game, most notably that each club must have a female on its board.
Despite all this, I am still, at times, disappointed with the way women are undermined and their credibility questioned simply because, in the case of rugby league, ‘they have never laced up a pair of football boots’.
We need to support women involved in sport.
We need to recognise their contribution and work towards making sport an environment which is inclusive and accessible to females.
There is tremendous female talent out there, however, when women see other women being undermined based on their gender, it discourages participation with the game at any level.
We need to make it clear that interviews like this are not ok and that the views expressed by Kyle Sandilands and a couple of dim-witted listeners are not the view of the Australian public.
Finally, I just want to acknowledge all the women out there who are involved in sport, particularly rugby league.
I am proud of your contribution and grateful to see so many female role models paving the way for the next generation of female athletes, commentators, administrators, CEOs and referees.
Matthew
Guest
Erin is a good reporter and journalist, she has great knowledge of the sport but I can't stand her on the footy show when she tries to be funny. It's cringe worthy. I feel so bad for her when she makes a joke and then the audience is just quiet. Unfortunately she is not a funny person. Have her on to chat about footy and what not, but don't give her funny segments because it just doesn't work. She tried way, way to hard. She should take a leaf out of Yvonne Sampsons book, she is always so chilled out and doesn't try too hard at all. They also need to stop having her try to collect the balls on the Sunday footy show...... watching her wobble around awkwardly with sky high heels is terrible.
Mark O'Halloran
Guest
Who is dressing you. Channel 9 needs to upgrade the wardrobe or stylists. Every week my wife and I are in shock of what you wear .
mpc
Guest
Kyle has said some worse stuff. This was tame by his standards. It is true Erin Molan is crap but so is Ray Hadley, Phil Gould, Ray Warren, Andrew Johns, Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer, Gary Freeman and Yvonne Sampson. Rugby League would be better without commentators.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Did you see they topped the ratings again recently. What on earth.
steveng
Guest
Oxygen Thief Sandilands (great term to describe this fool) is unfortunately making money and this is his go, controversy after controversy that is why he's still around because the people that listen to him and that Jackie O think that this sort of sarcastic "humour" is so amusing and smartass like, Sandilands was always a goose and will remain a goose all his life, nothing ever changes with him except his weight. lol
TD
Guest
UM - Defence matters aren't only about uniform - the depertment has a secretary - hence Hugh White - Erin's dad is always commentating on defence issues - When Erin makes jokes like camel toe, one eyed spitting snake and Tom Rockhard (in reference to her then partner) she is hardly on the higher moral ground - she consistently alludes to a number of innapropriate topics on the footy show so now she is all upset Pulease
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
But would Molan have expected anything less on Sandilands rubbish show? That is my problem. It's like idiots jumping over the wall at the zoo and then whinging that the bear attacked them. in showbiz it's all about PR and building awareness of your "brand" - and this time Molan has managed to get a lot more awareness through the aftermath. It actually makes her smart - knowing full well what Sandilands would do and then having a sook about it afterwards. genius.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Well said Mary. I coach a men's rugby union team in HK and am assistant coach to our club's women's team. Love having women involved in my game, they only enrich the experience of being part of our club. I think the side note is - who are the people that have enabled Sandilands to become who he is? They guy is a poor imitation of a shock jock feeding a bogan element of listeners. He is scum enabled by a mentally weak fan base. We need to be better as a society and then the guy won't have an audience and will be relegated to the irrelevance he deserves. Anyway to you and all the women in sport - real men love you and value your contributions, however you choose to make them. Keep up the good work.
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
Nice article Mary and I understand what you are saying. Indeed, the opinions of Sandilands and a few of his listeners doesn't represent the opinions of the vast majority of men in society, who are more than prepared to give someone a go, whether they are male or female, but based on their abilities. However, you fall into the trap that most women do and blame ALL men for not respecting you or giving you the opportunity to shine. There are plenty of talented male journalists and sports writers who have a whole lot of trouble getting a start in the world too. The competition is fierce and has nothing to do with their gender. One might even think that they are missing out on opportunities because they are not female with pretty blonde hair and blue eyes. I once missed out on a media job, because the manager told me they had been instructed to increase their "female employee ratio". It can work both ways and its not our fault At the end of the day, for whatever reason, its a media based, public-facing job and the viewers will vote with their remote controls as the TV executives tally up the ratings.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
True that. Breasts do not equate to genitalia. A flawed comparison, but the point still stands I think.There's a double-standard at play here. What's most encouraging is the tone of responses to this article though. Awesome stuff.
Jimmy
Guest
Whilst I agree that the questions were inappropriate, how is an equivalent question whether Kyle has had a penis enlargement? I could understand a question if Kyle has had pec implants being equivalent. I am sure you would agree a question related to genitals is far more offensive (eg labia reduction, vaginal rejuvenation etc) which would be equivalent.
Mark Young
Roar Guru
Nice one Mary I really don't enjoy Erin as a media personality, I find her stilted and kind of boring..... But I have so much respect for her as a woman for walking out on those creeps and keeping her dignity while they disgraced themselves. Well done Erin! Just a side point, had any NRL or League personality spoke to her like that we would never have heard the end of it, but since it is a pair of jerks on FM radio that is cool. Apparently.
Ranga
Guest
I don't hate Erin Molan, I just think others out there are suited better considering Rugby League isn't her true love, I'd rather have someone like Yvonne Sampson who absolutely adores the game coming across as passionate instead of forcing oneself the look like you are interested.
ben
Guest
Erin, I live in Adelaide and try to keep up to date with NRL - You are a breath of fresh air to the NRL on TV !!! I don't need to say much more but just keep doing what you are ... Well Done. Ben
bananamiriam
Guest
I so admire Erin, she's intelligent, well spoken, knowledgable and articulate. Great work hosting The Roast last Sunday.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Haters gonna hate? More like people who make a sound argument for population control by existing are going to act like knobs...
Squidward
Roar Rookie
She seems like a lovely girl. And a good sport when it's not crude like that. And knowledgeable with footy as shown on the Sunday show. Actually seems to know more than tim Gilbert and Terry Kennedy on that to be honest
Happy jack
Guest
She went to school in Melbourne and her facebook page (before she went to WIN and then Nine) had her first interest as the Lions. Her love for the raiders has been boosted by her employment as you would expect....
Big Marn
Guest
You say "She is quite as capable of expressing an opinion as a male who has never played NRL." And that is my point, "a male who has never played NRL" is not qualified. And Erin is more qualified to speak NRL compared to as you put it, " a male who has never played NRL." As for defence I never have a comment. I clearly referred to “Footy Show” type jobs. Not any other comparison.
Mac
Guest
Yep left me scratching my head