Feud between Andrew ‘Joey’ Johns and Erin Molan started with the axing of Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin

The feud between Andrew ‘Joey’ Johns and Erin Molan dates back to Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin being given the boot from The Footy Show. The Daily Telegraph understands Johns never got along with Molan who is hugely popular with others in the game.

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The feud between Andrew ‘Joey’ Johns and Erin Molan dates back to Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin being given the boot from The Footy Show.

The Daily Telegraph understands Johns never got along with Molan, who is hugely popular with others in the game, as she made her name as a TV reporter as opposed to being a sports person.

“Joey is an old schooler,” said one well placed industry insider.

The Sunday Telegraph at the weekend reported Channel 9 has been dealing with an awkward falling out between star host Molan and the rugby league immortal with the pair no longer working together on Friday night football.

Molan and Johns filming a bungy stunt at Kingston Park Raceway in 2014. Picture: Tim Marsden

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The network advertised at the start of the year that Johns would be an integral part of the team every Friday night for the coverage Molan has hosted throughout the season.

But like last year, when he took himself off The Footy Show when Molan replaced Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin, Johns suddenly disappeared from the Friday night broadcast, replaced by Billy Slater in the commentary box.

When contacted yesterday, Johns said “there’s nothing in it, I’ve got to run” before hanging up the phone.

Johns commentating on the round two NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the South Sydney Rabbitohs in March. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

Channel Nine also said both Johns and Molan would be involved in the grand final broadcast this weekend but wouldn’t specify if they would be on air together.

“Joey has never been a fan of Erin, which isn’t fair because she works her arse off,” said another industry source. “The whole Footy Show thing, with Fatty being booted … that is where it started to go sour.”

Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin (centre) with Andrew Voss (left) and Matthew Johns before The Footy Show changed the line-up.

Vautin in April this year ahead of the round 6 NRL match between the Bulldogs and the Rabbitohs. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

Vautin was given his marching orders from The Footy Show in October 2017 with Molan fronting the new-look program early last year before it was officially axed earlier this year.

“They are just two completely different people,” the executive said. “Joey didn’t want to be on the Footy Show with her. You could see that from watching him physically on there … he wasn’t happy and just wanted to be at the games. Joey is the smartest guy in rugby league and just didn’t want to be there and Erin was really upset by that.”

February 2017 and Nine’s Footy Show crew included Beau Ryan, Molan, Vautin and Daryl Brohman Picture: Gregg Porteous

By completely different, the source clarified: “Joey is there for his knowledge of the game and his analysis. If he doesn’t want to work with someone, he just won’t talk to them, which obviously makes it hard. Erin is very professional and can work with anyone. She rehearses and is very well prepared but isn’t a rugby league great.”

Last night a Nine spokesman denied any “awkward falling out, friction, or drama” inside the Nine commentary team.

“As explained to News Corporation last Thursday, Andrew Johns generously stepped back from Friday Night commentary duties in April to give Billy Slater a chance to call the game with Phil Gould,” Nine said.

Commentator Phil Gould during the Round 22 NRL match between the Broncos and the Panthers in August. Picture:AAP/Darren England

Billy Slater commentates during the Round 3 NRL match between the Broncos and Dragons in March. Picture: AAP/Dave Hunt

Tom Malone, Nine’s Director of Sport added: “We’ve had a good relationship with News Corporation all year working across broadcast and publishing to help build and grow the game of rugby league. It’s a shame that in recent weeks they’ve turned on Nine, especially at a time when the focus should be on two great teams facing off in the Grand Final.”

Erin Molan also denied there were any issues.

“Joey is an Immortal, a terrific broadcaster, and someone whom I respect greatly. In fact, the Nine commentary team is the best in the business, and I’ve never enjoyed working with a group of people more,” she said.

Andrew Johns has previously told The Telegraph: “Where did you hear that from? Good old rugby league just thrives on rumours and innuendo.”

Originally published as Feud between Andrew ‘Joey’ Johns and Erin Molan started with the axing of Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin