Mixed emotions for Erin Phillips in first day on the mic

AFLW star Erin Phillips admits being nervous and says thank you to Jodie Oddy for being a trailblazer for mothers as she starts her first day with Mix102.3.

Erin Phillips, with Mix 102.3 breakfast radio co-host Mark “Soda” Soderstrom, kicked off her first day in the chair with a huge thanks to her predecessor Jodie Oddy. Picture: SUPPLIED

Mix102.3 new breakfast radio host Erin Phillips has paid tribute to her predecessor Jodie Oddy, who quit in November, confessing she was nervous at filling her very big shoes.

“I want to say thank you for 13 wonderful years on air and allowing listeners like me into your life,” Phillips said, in her first morning at the desk with co-host Mark “Soda” Soderstrom.

“I want to say a massive thank you for showing women that you can actually have a full time profession while raising kids. She raised four kids which is incredible, while getting up at 4am every morning.

“And just thank you for being the best. She was a trailblazer.”

The mother of three, who announced on Friday she was relinquishing her co-captaincy of the Adelaide Crows AFLW team, joked she had only been to the toilet twice that morning with nerves.

“People ask me ‘are you nervous to fill the role of Jodie Oddy?’ – and absolutely I am,” she said. “I wouldn’t even be human if I wasn’t nervous. I am actually sh**ing myself if I’m being perfectly honest.

“I know there are people out there who don’t like change. I’ve read the (social media) comments. Erin Phillips doesn’t have a journalism degree, why should she be on air? Erin Phillips is boring. She’s monotone, She doesn’t know what she’s doing.

Popular presenter Jodie Oddy quit Mix 102.3 in November, shocking industry insiders and listeners. Picture: Nick Clayton.

“I’ve even read comments where people have said ‘Why is it Erin Phillips and Soda? She doesn’t deserve to be first?’.”

Soda agreed, laughing that he thought after seven years he might have finally be named first in the team.

“I’ve been listening to Mix since it was Kym, Ali and Dzelde – I was fan right back then and I know how incredible this show is and I know how incredible Jodie was and the fantastic things she did,” an emotional Phillips said.

“I even got to be part of them – I was rescued by the brave young Alex and I was part of Cooper’s basketball game with the Adelaide 36ers. It’s been fantastic.

“I promise I will work my butt off to be great just like Jodie.”

Phillips was announced as Oddy’s replacement in December. Industry insiders and listeners were stunned in November when Oddy resigned.

At the time the highly popular presenter told Adelaide Confidential she couldn’t comment for legal reasons.