‘It’s not OK’: Erin Molan hits out as teen NRL star dragged into controversy

Erin Molan has weighed into an ugly NRL episode as the footy world stood up for Parramatta in the face of ugly trolling of a teenager.

Erin Molan came to Jake Arthur's defence.

Erin Molan has hit out at social media criticism of Jake Arthur after the NRL star was thrust into the limelight following Parramatta’s loss the Cowboys on Saturday night.

Some angry Eels fans accused coach Brad Arthur of nepotism by playing his 19-year-old son at five-eighth and shifting in-form pivot Dylan Brown to the centres, to deal with an injury crisis affecting the club’s outside backs.

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Footy greats hit back at unfair criticism of both Brad and Jake Arthur and The Daily Telegraph reported Parramatta’s executive producer Kate Cardwell responded to trolls by writing: “Sick of the s**t comments. It is football.

“Sick of the bullying and negativity. I don’t think you know how much your words hurt.”

Former NRL presenter Molan took to Instagram to share her feelings, throwing her support behind Cardwell for taking a stand.

“Proud of you @Katecardwell - call it out when it’s unacceptable,” Molan wrote.

“Stand up for your players — paying members and fans have every right to be angry/frustrated and express that publicly — but relentless abuse of a young bloke is NOT OK.

“Love your passion Kate — your club should be proud.”

Molan has been outspoken on the need to take action against social media trolls, leading the charge to introduce new online safety laws in Australia.

Erin Molan wants more done to punish online trolls. Picture: Jason Edwards

Former NRL stars said the barrage of hot takes crossed the line. Penrith premiership hero Martin Lang tweeted: “Jake Arthur is only 19 years of age and is a fine prospect. I’d like to see the CVs of those behind the nepotism accusations. Miserable, jealous individuals who want nothing more than to discredit the coach.”

Canberra legend Laurie Daley also defended the decision to shift Brown into the centres.

“I don’t know about this nepotism stuff. That’s completely out of line,” Laurie Daley told the Big Sports Breakfast. “Look at the players injured, outside backs, Brown is a better option in the centres with Arthur at five-eighth with what they’ve got.

“It’s not nepotism, it’s who he thinks is going to do the best job.

“If you’ve got a player that’s been shifted for necessity, that’s what you do until you get troops back, every day of the week.

“Brown understand the position they’re in and he needs to help Jakob Arthur and other players in that team. They were just off, the Eels.”

Jake Arthur has copped some unfair criticism. NRL photos.

Phil Rothfield of The Daily Telegraph also said the criticism of both coach and player was unfair.

“Brad Arthur didn’t pick his son for the game against Newcastle without taking it up with the leadership group, Clint Gutherson, Mitchell Moses, Junior Paulo. This move had the support of the players,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

“I spoke to Andrew Johns and he thinks Jakob is a terrific player. To blame a 19-year-old boy for a massacre in Darwin, when 17 players contributed to the loss, it’s unfair.

“If his name was Joe Blow we wouldn’t even be talking about him. Brad Arthur is struggling to pick 17, he’s got an injury crisis.”