‘People will get angry’: Erin Molan drops Matildas statue bomb

Erin Molan has bluntly said what many appear to secretly agree with after the Matildas announced historic news.

Erin Molan has poured cold water on confirmation the Matildas will be honoured with a bronze statue.

It was confirmed on Monday the Aussie national team will be immortalised with a statue at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium with the project to be completed before the end of the calendar year.

The Sam Kerr-led outfit became Australia’s most-loved national team during their rollercoaster ride through to the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup on home soil – smashing all Australian TV ratings records.

However, the team ultimately came up short and finished their campaign with defeat in the third-place play-off.

The disappointing end to the journey is the reason the plan to build the team a statue was criticised by some when the idea was first floated in August.

In the days following the team’s exit, Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk unveiled a plaque featuring the iconic photo of the Matildas’ reaction to Cortnee Vine’s match-winning penalty against France – and said the image would be used as motivation for the sculpture.

During 2DAY FM’s Hughesy, Ed & Erin breakfast show on Tuesday, Molan responded to the confirmation about the statue being built.

Erin Molan and Sam Kerr.

“I’m just going to be completely honest, even though it may be controversial,” Molan said.

“It might make people angry. And I’m talking as a fan. I’m not part of the Matildas, clearly. They may love it.

“It’s just my opinion. I just feel like let’s actually let them win it. They made the quarter-finals (sic). It was amazing. It was one of the most exciting couple of weeks or month in my life watching them play. I was obsessed with them.

“They’re actually going to win a tournament. I’m saying let’s wait until they win a tournament. They absolutely will win a tournament. And then give it to them. It feels to me a little condescending. I don’t know if that’s the right word... but I know they can go on and win and, I reckon, let’s not do this early.

“Let’s not do it because, ‘Oh wow, everyone wanted to watch women’s sport, let’s make them a statue’. Of course they’re amazing. Let’s wait until they win it and then make them a statue.”

The iconic reacton. Picture Lachie Millard

That was the view shared by many in August last year.

Former Australian basketballer Andrew Bogut and tennis player Nick Kyrgios said the Matildas’ fourth place finish didn’t justify a statue.

Bogut tweeted: “Matildas did well……Statue? No. A Gold/First Place is a statue and over the top celebration worthy achievement.

“Anything below is good, have a celebration or two, then move on.

“This goes for all sports btw. A for effort, N for No statue.”

Kyrgios responded: “Agree. Great effort! Statue for fourth is nuts but they had us all on the edge of our seats! Next time.”

The Matildas will join the likes of sporting icons like John Eales and Wally Lewis to be immortalised in bronze outside Suncorp Stadium.

The Matildas were in August handed the keys to the city at a farewell event in Brisbane as Nikki Webster brought the house down with a rendition of her iconic tune Strawberry Kisses.

The statue, which will measure about 6m wide and 2.5m tall, has been commissioned to Brisbane-based company Urban Art Projects (UAP).

Sam Kerr with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire.

Sport Minister Michael Healy said the statue would stand to “inspire future generations”.

“Queenslanders rode the unbelievable high of the quarter-final penalty shootout win over France, lifting the roof off the best football stadium in the country,” he said.

“Around Australia, we were united behind this fantastic team. They made us all incredibly proud.

“The tribute may be a snapshot of a moment in 2023, but that moment will now live forever and inspire future generations of young footballers to take on the world.”

Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman also spoke to the inspiration the Matildas have sparked, likely for generations to come.

“They are inspiring women and girls to become more active and get involved in organised sport and it is fantastic that their efforts will be recognised with a permanent tribute,” she said, noting she “can’t wait” to see the statue.

“The Matildas brought the country together through their performances and had a profound impact on our sporting landscape.

“In a nation that loves its sport, the Matildas were not only the most watched team on Australian television in 2023, their semi-final against England was the most watched event in Australian television history.”

- with NCA Newswire