THE Canberra Raiders want Erin Molan — but Channel Nine won’t let her go.

Rugby league’s push to have more women involved at the executive level of NRL clubs has struck it’s first hurdle with Nine executives denying an invitation from the Raiders for the Footy Show panellist and popular sports reporter to join their board.

The Raiders were hopeful that Molan’s appointment onto their football club board would provide the club with an increase in female influence, a significant rise in media profile while also exposing the NRL club to fresh ideas on how to attract new fans and members and a younger demographic.

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However, despite several other current staff members, including rugby league commentator Phil Gould (Penrith Panthers general manager), marketing executive Luke Ricketson (Sydney Roosters board member) and Nine chief executive David Gyngell (Sydney Roosters board member) boasting an alliance with an NRL club, Molan has been told her role as a reporter poses a conflict of interest.

media_camera Erin Molan will not be joining the Canberra Raiders board.

A long-time Raiders supporter, Molan was raised in Queanbeyan and throughout her career as a journalist, the 31-year-old has made no secret of her passion for the club.

Canberra chairman Alan Hawke said Molan showed interest in taking up the Raiders offer, provided she had approval from Nine management.

That approval failed to eventuate, with The Sunday Telegraph told that the decision was based on ensuring Molan’s position with Nine wasn’t open to criticism or allegations of bias reporting.

Molan said she was unwilling to comment on the matter, saying only that she would respect any decision the management had made.