Channel Nine’s star-studded team photo of its NRL presenters has everyone talking

Erin Molan was noticeably absent as Channel Nine kicked off the 2020 NRL season with a team photograph at Terrace on the Domain in Sydney last week. 

Following her rumoured feud with Andrew Johns, the 36-year-old was nowhere to be seen as he stood towards the centre of the picture with Nine’s commentators. 

‘Where’s Erin?’ commented many confused fans ahead of the upcoming season. 

Channel Nine sports reporter Danika Maso shared the group picture to Instagram on Friday, writing: ‘The band back together for today’s @nrlonnine launch.’

The up-and-coming broadcaster stood next to Andrew in the picture.

Other talent at the launch included retired players Johnathan Thurston, Sam Thaiday, Billy Slater and Paul Gallen, and commentator Allana Ferguson.

Missing! Following her rumoured feud with Andrew Johns (centre), Erin was nowhere to be seen as he stood between reporter Danika Maso (right) and commentator Paul Gallen (left)

‘Where’s Erin?’ Many confused fans questioned where Erin was during the 2020 season launch

Paul Gallen, who previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, also shared the picture and made no reference to Erin’s unexpected absence. 

‘Not a bad team to be a part of in 2020,’ he wrote, prompting further comments. 

‘No Erin, Joey back,’ wrote one follower, with another questioning: ‘Erin?’

‘I still can’t change a nappy’: According to her Instagram, Erin (pictured) was visiting family in Canberra on the day of the launch last week, after recently breaking her arm

According to her Instagram, Erin was visiting family in Canberra on the day of the launch last week, after recently breaking her arm.

‘Few days at home so mama and papa can help me with [daughter] Eliza… I still can’t change a nappy,’ she joked to her 164,000 followers.  

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment. 

‘I love hosting Friday Night Footy and Sunday Footy Show’: Earlier this month, Erin said that she has had ‘the best year to date’ despite her bitter ‘feud’ with Andrew Johns

Earlier this month, Erin said that she has had ‘the best year to date’ despite her bitter ‘feud’ with Andrew Johns captivating the headlines. 

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, the journalist, who returned to work after breaking her arm, said she ‘has never loved what she is doing more’.

‘I love hosting Friday Night Footy, I love Sunday Footy Show, I love radio [and] I love news,’ she told the publication.

‘I have really had probably the best year professionally in my entire career,’ the NRL commentator added.

‘I don’t look at it [the speculation]’: Erin went on to explain that her rumoured ‘rivalry’ with NRL legend, Andrew Johns, hasn’t ‘ruined her year’

Erin went on to explain that her rumoured ‘rivalry’ with NRL legend, Andrew Johns, hasn’t ‘ruined her year’.

‘I don’t look at it [the speculation] as it kind of ruined the year that I have had at all. I would prefer if it didn’t happen but that is life,’ she said.

In recent months, reports claimed that Andrew disliked working with Erin, who had replaced Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin in 2018.  

‘Joey [Johns] has never been a fan of Erin, which isn’t fair because she works her a**e off… The whole Footy Show thing, with Fatty being booted, that is where it started to go sour,’ an insider previously told The Daily Telegraph.

Andrew also removed himself from The Footy Show panel around the same time Paul was replaced by Erin. 

Reports: In recent months, reports claimed that Andrew disliked working with Erin, who had replaced Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin in 2018