Who are we to judge?

So today the news broke of Erin Molan's appointment of the lead footy show host. I thought to myself straight away gee this is going to cop some backlash, only because I was well aware that she was pregnant and that of course, she would have to have some time off during the year which she is fully entitled to.

But what I didn’t expect is the backlash that was ‘what would she know about rugby league, she’s just a journo’, ‘what would a woman know about the sport, ‘she should stick to the news she has no place in Rugby league’. I scrolled through a few more of the sites that broke the news and what do you know the same stupid comments.

A new-look 2018. #9NRLFootyShow https://t.co/OLBtesDieG

— The NRL Footy Show (@NRLFootyShow) January 15, 2018

Honestly, I think that’s pathetic. Who are you to judge? Obviously, the Nine network hasn’t taken this decision lightly and opted for Molan because of her outstanding journalist work but also her knowledge of Rugby League.

What would a woman know about Rugby League they say well Molan has been around the game for a long time now I’m sure she knows a lot more than your average arm-chair critics, she’s worked exceptionally hard to get to where she is. How can someone say what would a woman know?

Women’s sport is different to men’s, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less strategic or passionate and I feel the same goes for her hosting role or any role in sports media for that matter. Women’s sport is only getting more popular so it’s only fair we see more women’s faces on our TVs and more women’s voices on the radio and so on.

We should be applauding her for her efforts not putting her down its hard enough for women to make it into sports media with the whole organisation dominated by males. So, for her to host the footy show of all sports shows, hats off to her.

The backlash re #ErinMolan being announced as presenter of The Footy Show has been absolutely disgusting. It’s 2018, women, shock horror, know stuff about sport and are capable of presenting!

— Kristen Tsiamis (@KristenTsiamis) January 15, 2018

Paul Vautin lost his host role in October after 23 years and 11 Logies, so Molan has huge shoes to fill, I’m all for it and can’t wait to see how the revamped footy show will play out in 2018.

Beau Ryan and Darryl Brohman will also remain on the show after a lot of offseason talk about the lads not retaining their jobs. The show will now have a higher focus on football which is really what most fans want!

Equality is about being who you are and proud of it, not being forced to live off the acts of others. I look forward to seeing Molan on the Footy Show in 2018 and beyond.