Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Erin Molan’s swanky real estate upgrade

Star presenter Erin Molan quit Nine to join Sky News and The Daily Telegraph and now she’s scored another major upgrade.

Star presenter Erin Molan has upgraded her job and her home. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Erin Molan has kicked a huge goal in Sydney real estate, buying into exclusive Bellevue Hill.

The 2Day FM breakfast host, who recently quit Channel 9 to join Sky News and The Daily Telegraph, purchased a flash new three-bedroom apartment in the stylish postcode, which is one of Sydney’s most expensive suburbs.

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Molan paid a little over $2.4 million in what has been described as a bargain in the present real-estate boom.

This is a nice upgrade from the Randwick apartment Molan co-owned with her ex-partner Sean Ogilvy that was sold late last year for $1.68m when the couple split.

They have a three-year-old daughter, Eliza

Erin Molan has purchased an apartment in Bellevue Hill.

MUNDINE DYNASTY GROWS

A third generation Mundine is soon to make his debut in a boxing ring.

C.J Mundine, who is Anthony’s son and plays rugby league in the Wests Tigers’ pathways, will fight on the undercard to the Sonny Bill Williams v Barry Hall bout on March 23.

He is being trained by his grandfather and boxing legend Tony Mundine, and his dad who will be in his corner on the night, against a yet to be determined opponent.

Unlike his father, C.J is a relatively shy 20-year-old and not into the boxing trash talk.

“If he wants to fight, why not?” Anthony said.

“I’ll support my kids in whatever they want to do and be there for them.

The Mundine family have a strong sporting background running through three generations with Tony Mundine Snr (boxing), Anthony Mundine (rugby league and boxing), Anthony Mundine Jnr (L, basketball) and CJ Mundine (2nd from L, rugby league and boxing) all featuring prominently in their chosen sports. Picture: Toby Zerna

“He knows boxing takes a lot of hard work and dedication, which he’s prepared for.

“Maybe you’ll be writing about a Mundine for another 20 years. Who knows?”

Choc Jr will fight at around 80kg, which is a light-heavyweight. C.J is looking to play Jersey Flegg this year at Wests Tigers and possibly get a run with the NRL squad.

He left the South Sydney Rabbitohs at the end of last season, after suffering a dislocated hip in March, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year.

This family sure has some great sporting bloodlines

Grandpa Tony had 96 fights and was one of Australia’s best light-heavyweights in the ’70s and early ’80s.

Anthony was a world boxing champion and played NRL for the Dragons, Broncos and NSW.

Another of Mundine’s sons, Anthony Jr, is a rising basketball star and rated one of the state’s brightest prospects.

Ash Barty poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after winning the Australian Open. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

SAINT

No one looks after her sponsors better than Ash Barty. The tennis superstar put celebrations on hold and stayed back at Rod Laver Arena until well after midnight last Saturday to do more than three hours of media photos and interviews, ensuring her corporate supporters got maximum exposure from her magnificent victory.

SINNER

The ignorance of the SCG Heritage trust in snubbing Artie Beetson in the naming of four grandstands at the new Sydney Football Stadium because he is a Queenslander. This explanation is rubbish. Sadly, we have been shown up again by Melbourne. Rod Laver Arena was named after a Queenslander. Margaret Court Arena was named after a champion born in NSW. Artie played 18 times for NSW and also captained the Blues. He played for the Maroons on only three occasions. He played 15 seasons in Sydney and only two in Brisbane. He captained Australia and two premiership-winning Roosters teams on the SCG. Surely the government will overturn this terrible decision.

SHOOSH

Anti-vaxxer Anthony Mundine was struck down by Covid over the festive season. Sadly, it hasn’t changed his ridiculous views on vaccinations that have saved the lives of thousands of his fellow Australians.

SHOOSH

The Wests Tigers hope the departure of one particular player will stabilise the playing group and ensure not as many negative Michael Maguire stories will be leaked to a certain journo this year.

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys wants to “warn off’ serious offenders from all NRL venues. Picture: Phil Hillyard

SHOOSH

Misbehaving NRL stars face even tougher sanctions under the leadership of NRL independent commission chairman Peter V’landys. The Racing NSW boss wants the contracts of the most serious offenders deregistered and to actually be “warned off’ all rugby league venues.

SHOOSH

Nine Entertainment is working on a new podcast featuring the two Rays — Warren and Hadley — who have been calling the footy for a squillion years. Rabs will call his 100th State of Origin in the opening game of the series this year. Hadley has called 96 Origins on 2GB.

SPOTTED

How time flies … it doesn’t seem all that long ago that Freddy Fittler burst on to the NRL scene as a teenage superstar at the Penrith Panthers. On Saturday, the NSW Blues coach and Origin legend celebrated his 50th birthday. He watched his son Zach play Harold Matthews for the Roosters and then celebrated with a small barbecue at home rather than a big party because of Covid.

SPOTTED

How will Penrith Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo repeat the joys of 2021? Yeo not only became the proud owner of his first premiership ring and won a State of Origin series, but he also became a father for the first time. His partner Ashleigh gave birth to a beautiful little girl, Haven.

Isaah Yeo and partner Ashleigh and baby Haven

MANAGING A BIG PROFIT

It’s been an interesting few months in real estate for rugby league types.

Veteran player agent Wayne Beavis recently sold in Woollahra for a tidy $5.25 million. Colleague and real-estate guru Jonathan Chancellor says Beavis paid $1.75m for the home on prestigious Wallis St in 2006. Beavis, who was the first NRL player agent in the 1980s, has moved into semi-retirement on the Gold Coast.

He still looks after a number of big-name clients including Phil Gould, Brad Fittler, Trent Barrett, Shane Flanagan and Jarryd Hayne before he was jailed for a sexual assault

$50M SHAKE UP

Speaking of managers making decent coin, no one is doing better than celebrity agent Nick Fordham, brother of Ben and son of the legendary late Sydney character John Fordham.

Years ago, Nick Fordham invested in former NRL star Adam ‘Mad Dog’ Macdougall’s Man Shake business, which attracted a $400 million investor last week. Fordham is now out of the business but left with a $50m golden handshake according to good sources.

FARRAGHER WANTS IN AT PANTHERS

You rarely get a boardroom challenge at an NRL club that has just won a premiership title.

The Penrith Panthers board, however, is facing opposition from a club legend at its upcoming elections.

John Farragher’s life changed forever when he broke his neck in a collapsed scrum in 1978 and became a quadriplegic. He has worked at the club ever since but recently quit to allow himself a shot at the elections.

We contacted Farragher on Friday but he declined to comment.

Under Penrith’s constitution, anyone standing for the board is forbidden from speaking to the media in the lead up to the election. Members can vote over four days from February 18.

Despite the Panthers’ on-field success, there is growing resentment around certain directors.

Farragher, who is 65 this year, has been employed at the club for more than 40 years and has a close relationship with members.

Penrith Panthers legend John Farragher.

A hugely popular figure, the former prop was on the front door of Panthers Leagues Club welcoming guests for more than 25 years. He later took on a public relations role, taking visitors on guided tours of Penrith Stadium — all from his wheelchair.

Your columnist has regularly raised issues regarding the Penrith board in recent years.

In 2020, we reported three of its directors had interests in companies that were paid more than $1 million to supply services to the club.

Chair Dave O’Neill, vice-chairman Greg Alexander and director Ian Hicks won tenders worth a combined $1.3 million. It happened again last year as revealed in the annual report.

There’s also been huge drama in recent years about the club’s decision to withdraw junior representative teams from the Laurie Daley, Andrew Johns and Tarsha Gale Cup comps.

This and reduced funding to junior rugby league led to a falling-out with the club’s long-time benefactor, Lou Zivanovic.

$5 TICKETS FOR T20 WORLD CUP

Australia will host the T20 cricket World Cup in October after the footy grand finals with organisers determined to fill stadiums around the country with the most affordable seats.

Tickets go on sale on Monday with prices starting at just $5 for kids and $20 for adults for all pre-finals matches during the tournament.

The SCG will host a blockbuster World Cup final replay between Australia and New Zealand on October 22. Sydney will have the semi-final that features Australia if we qualify on November 9. The final will be played at the MCG on Nov 13.

Tickets for the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup go on sale this week. Picture: Phil Hillyard

THE WORDS ABOUT BENNETT

Author/journo Andrew Webster is working on an unauthorised biography about old super coach Wayne Bennett.

Webster was spotted in various places around Brisbane last week doing interviews and research for the book on the 71-year-old coach.

While Bennett has written several best-selling books in conjunction with Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley, this effort will take in the thoughts of dozens of players, coaches and officials over Bennett’s long career as a player and coach.

We’re hearing it’s not all going to be complimentary, especially the details around his departure from the Newcastle Knights when he walked out on his contract.

The book release will coincide with Bennett launching the Redcliffe Dolphins as the NRL’s 17th team next year.

NEW FOX FACES CALLED UP

Fox Sports has signed Sydney Roosters NRLW star and Dally M player of the year Jess Sergis to work on their match-day coverage this season. Sergis also plays for the NSW Blues and the Jillaroos and is the ex-partner of St George-Illawarra centre Zac Lomax.

The TV network has also done a deal with retired superstar Benji Marshall to work full-time on various shows, including NRL 360 and hosting duties.

NRLW star Jessica Sergis has joined the Fox Sports’ family. Picture: Roosters Digital

COOREY PROVEN RIGHT

It wouldn’t be a footy season without some boardroom drama at the Canterbury Bulldogs.

The Leagues club board forced chairman George Coorey to stand down last year over alleged inappropriate behaviour.

Coorey reluctantly stepped aside but maintained his innocence and has since been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Independent Liquor and Gaming authority on all allegations after a lengthy investigation.

The Bulldogs have Leagues club elections in five weeks. Coorey is a long-time director with enormous support from the members. He is still furious about the way he was treated by certain directors.

SPONSOR ON OUTER

One NRL club has suddenly had to remove the name of a prominent sponsor from their jersey on the eve of the trial matches. The chief executive of the company was charged and faced court last week on money-laundering charges.