Legendary commentator launches scathing attack on Channel Nine over feud between Erin Molan and Andrew Johns’ – and says the female presenter is ‘suffering badly’
- Legendary footy commentator Peter Peters has slammed Nine’s rugby coverage
- He especially said the network had handled the Molan and Johns feud poorly
- Peters also claimed new additions Thurston and Thaiday were a disappointment
Legendary rugby league commentator Peter ‘Zorba’ Peters has launched a scathing attack on Channel 9’s football coverage.
Speaking to Sky Sports Radio on Sunday, he was especially critical of the network’s inability to repair the feud between Andrew Johns and Erin Molan.
‘The Joey Johns – Erin Molan feud has been handled terribly. Nothing’s happened… Erin is suffering badly in the background’ Mr Peters said.
Peter Peters said he was especially critical of the network’s inability to repair the feud between Andrew Johns and Erin Molan (pictured)
Andrew Johns (pictured) and Erin Molan have reportedly been in a feud for some months with Channel Nine unable to repair their rift
Peter Peters (pictured) is a former Manly Sea Eagles rugby player and commentator
The former Manly player said only Molan, 37, had presence among the female experts in Nine’s coverage team.
‘The others fall way behind – Vonny Sampson,Jess Yates, Lara Pitt, and the team at Fox.’
The feud has reportedly been brewing for some months with Johns allegedly telling Nine staff he found Molan to be difficult to work with and would not put his name to statements supporting her.
‘He just doesn’t like working with her,’ a television source previously told Daily Mail Australia.
The source said Johns’ biggest gripes were that Molan ‘giggled and spoke over him’ and other Nine personalities when they were talking about football.
Jessica Yates (left) and Lara Pitt (right) have also been criticised by legendary rugby commentator Peter Peters
Another source close to Johns said he did not know when the problems between the pair began but the footballing great would not be backing down.
Meanwhile, Peters also slammed Nine’s two Queensland additions to the commentating team.
He said while Johnathan Thurston was a great player on the field he had not turned out to be the great analyst the network was banking on.
Similarly, Sam Thaiday was a charismatic and funny presence in the dressing rooms but that had not translated to television, he said.
‘Nine’s team lack real punch. Watching how they go about righting a sinking ship will be intriguing in 2020.’
Stand in host on the Sky Sports Radio show, Neil Breen, who is also a Nine employee did not argue against Peters – saying Nine probably has too many commentators.
He also pointed out Nine’s game caller Matt Thompson has also mysteriously been kept off camera.
Jessica Yates arrives at the 2019 Logie Awards on the Gold Coast