NRL icon Ray Warren speaks out over reported Erin Molan-Andrew Johns rift

The voice of rugby league Ray Warren has spoken for the first time about the reported falling out between his star Channel 9 colleagues.

Erin Molan and Andrew Johns teamed up on The Footy Show.

The voice of rugby league Ray Warren has hinted that mistakes were made during the reported falling out between Andrew Johns and Erin Molan.

Warren will be in the Channel 9 studio at ANZ Stadium for Sunday’s NRL Grand Final where Johns and Molan will be front and centre as the faces of the network’s coverage of the biggest game of the NRL season.

His comments come after Johns’ ex-wife Cathrine Mahoney defended Molan on Saturday in the midst of the alleged feud between the pair.

There have been strong denials all week from Molan and Channel 9 since the Sunday Telegraph last week revealed Johns had vanished from Nine’s Friday night NRL live broadcasts as a result of his working relationship breaking down with Molan.

Warren has now revealed his concern at how the drama has played out.

In a Sunday Telegraph exclusive, Warren suggests “old school” ex-players in the Channel 9 commentary team should have had “more discretion” in regards to their involvement with Molan.

The much-loved commentator has also hinted that the rift between Johns and Molan could have been handled “differently”.

“I’m friends with both and rate them very highly,” Warren told The Telegraph.

“I’m surprised and a bit disappointed how it’s played out all week.

“Some of the ex-players are old school and they mightn’t have the discretion that they should have.

“It could have been handled differently. Giving women an equal opportunity in the media, politics and everything is important, and Erin is very good at her job.”

Erin Molan and Andrew Johns will both star in Sunday’s NRL grand final on Channel 9.

All eyes will be on how Nine handles Molan and Johns’ on-air time during Sunday’s Grand Final.

Molan has been the victim of vile abuse from social media trolls since the story was first reported — and it has taken a toll on the presenter.

Speaking on WSFM’s Jonesy and Amanda on Thursday, Molan even revealed she wore sunglasses because she had been unable to sleep the night before shedding some tears with the show’s host Amanda Keller.

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They were just a few in a flood of support Molan has received with many industry colleagues and supported rallying behind the Channel 9 host.

But the support of Mahoney has added a new realm to the discussion with Johns’ ex-wife coming out in support of Molan.

Mahoney posted her support on Instagram, having met in 2007 when they worked together at Channel 9.

“She was then, and is now incredibly researched, hardworking, thorough, intelligent, thoughtful, caring, compassionate, smart and bloody hardworking,” she wrote.

“I am honoured to call her a friend. It’s sad that nasty types with a keyboard are allowed to be so vile, but the reality is if you know Erin you know she is a top bird and someone you’d love to call (a) friend.”

Andrew Johns with Cathrine Mahoney at Coogee in Sydney.

Mahoney was Johns’ second wife with the couple separated in 2011 before they reconciled and then split again in 2015.

Johns has been quiet on the issue all week but the pair are expected to work together on Channel 9’s NRL Grand Final coverage on Sunday afternoon.

Molan also had the defence of Karl Stefanovic.

Filling in for Ben Fordham on Friday afternoon’s 2GB radio sport, the television veteran delivered an impassioned defence of his fellow Channel 9 host.

“A good friend of mine has come under nasty and unwarranted criticism this week,” he said.

“I first met Erin when she was working on the Footy Show years ago. It was a different time in the media and the blokes ruled the roost. Erin never complained when at times she could have, I know that for a fact but she got on with it. Erin Molan is one of the nicest, most hard working, most professional people you’ve ever met.”

It comes after former Footy Show host and NRL star Beau Ryan revealed the shocking extent to which Molan gets trolled especially after she took over the hosting reins of the now defunct show from Paul “Fatty” Vautin.

It’s a common gripe among rugby league fans, whose criticism of Molan stems from Nine’s apparent decision to attempt to save the show by appealing to a broader audience.

Erin Molan has been the host of the Sunday Footy Show.

But Ryan said that wasn’t fair on Molan that Nine had put her in an unwinnable situation.

Stefanovic also took aim at the trolls who have targeted Molan.

“Gutless keyboard warriors,” Stefanovic continued. “And don’t think for a moment that the online hate is easy to ignore because it is not. It takes its toll.

“Now there’s more garbage being thrown around that she is difficult to work with. Sometimes in this job when you’re in the public eye you get people who try to bring you down. It goes with the territory. That’s not going to work on Erin Molan. She’s far too good for that.

“And for those who feel it is appropriate to harass and troll someone for no good reason, do me a favour; look in the mirror and find something decent to do with your life.”

Molan was also defended by KIIS 106.5’s Kyle and Jackie O with the latter calling out Johns.

“Has he come out and said this is not true? Why wouldn’t you shut it down if it’s causing her grief,” Jackie said.

Co-host of the popular breakfast radio show Kyle Sandilands weighed in on the story with mail around Molan.

“I’ve met her (Molan), she’s lovely, but I have heard from multiple sources that she is sometimes difficult to work with,” Sandilands

“Not as in a diva style, but as in (she will say), ‘You can’t say that, you can’t do this’. Maybe some people don’t like having to tiptoe around people?”

Both Molan and Johns have been under fire this week.

Ryan has also been one of her staunchest defenders and believed the rumour started when Johns stepped aside on the Friday night panel to allow Slater a chance on the big stage and things swirled from there.

But he had “nothing but respect for” Molan, who he said had been “broken” by years of social media attacks, but “sucked it up and delivered (on air).”

Ryan also came out in defence of Johns.

“People say stuff about Andrew Johns as well but he’s as good a person as I’ve met,” Ryan said. “He’s generous and caring. He can be guarded and has his walls up and doesn’t let you in, so I don’t know if that’s happened with Erin … but he’s one of the loveliest people I know and I love working with him.”