AFLW injury news: Chloe Molloy to miss 2024 season after suffering ACL injury

Swans superstar Chloe Molloy has revealed what happened in the moment she found out she’d torn her ACL, and why she kept it a secret from her teammates. LACHLAN McKIRDY has the details.

Chloe Molloy admits her first concern was that she had let her teammates down after suffering an ACL injury in training that will rule her out of the rest of the AFLW season.

Molloy was running through a marking drill when a change of direction saw pain shoot through her knee. The Swans co-captain received scans on Saturday with official confirmation on Sunday morning that she would be out for the season.

Speaking to media following Sydney’s round two loss to St Kilda, Molloy confirmed that she initially hid the news from teammates so it didn’t affect them during the game.

“There was a really small circle that did know,” Molloy said. “I’m so glad it didn’t get to the playing group who had to go out there.

“I had masked it for a bit because I did find out. They wanted to know how it went and I said, ‘I’m so sorry I lied to all of you, I knew my results’.

“I think it’s one you’re in disbelief, you never wish an injury upon anyone and you never think it’s gonna be you. You hear anterior cruciate ligament and you go, ‘Wow, I never thought I’d be one to have that injury.

“Emotional, I cried. I give so much to my football. There are so many expectations on me that my immediate response was that I felt like I’d let down a lot of people, my team. And what ran through my head is how am I going to tell this group of girls that I can’t be out on the field with them.”

Sydney coach Scott Gowans confirmed that Molloy addressed the group immediately after the match to tell them the news. He also admitted that the skipper initially thought there was a chance she could still play against the Saints.

“Up until last night, if you ask Chloe, she wanted to play,” Gowans said. “We thought it might have just been one of those knee ailments you get.

“But thank god we went and got the scan yesterday and doc confirmed it this morning and went from there.

“We just decided that we would let the players play…that was driven by Chloe. She was adamant to be that way and we were comfortable with that.

Chloe Molloy will miss the rest of the AFLW season. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

“Lucy McEvoy was at the back of the group (when Chloe spoke) and she grabbed me and said, ‘We’ve got this’. I love that attitude and I’m hoping that’s the attitude through the group.”

Molloy was one of the Swans’ best in the season-opening win against Collingwood at North Sydney Oval, finishing with two goals. That followed on from her inspirational first season in the red and white where she earned All-Australian honours for her 2023 exploits.

It’s a massive blow for the Swans who are looking to return to the top eight after last year’s impressive campaign. Molloy has been deployed as a hybrid midfield-forward, and is often the key spark for a team that wants to be known for their ability to transition into attack.

It’s not the first time Molloy has had an AFLW season derailed by injury either, after she missed the 2019 campaign for the Pies with a Lisfranc injury.

But now the 25-year-old is turning her attention to how she can still have an impact for the side from the sidelines.

“I look at it as an opportunity,” Molloy said. “My door closed on that with playing, but I’ve got to find other ways to give. I’m a co-captain.

“I’ll push my hat into whatever the team and girls need for me. Whether that’s insight, coaching, on the bench or on the box. Physically I can’t do anything but I think I’ve got a lot to give.

Chloe Molloy starred in the Round 1 clash against her old side. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

“It’s also a great opportunity for a young side to fill the hole I’ve left in the forward 50. Watching today, we’ve got some very capable individuals. One door closes, another opens.”

It’s the second major ACL injury to a club captain in recent days after Port Adelaide’s Janelle Cuthbertson was ruled out for the year after injuring her knee against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.

The Swans struggled in Molloy’s absence on Sunday, failing to kick a goal in the first half against the Saints. Despite a spirited comeback, including a three-goal-to-one final quarter, they fell to a 16-point defeat.

Their next game is on Saturday afternoon against Richmond in Coffs Harbour.

Molloy’s injury is a massive blow for the Swans and coach Scott Gowans who are looking to follow on from their incredible second year in the competition. Molloy has played a hybrid midfield-forward role and is often the key spark for a team that wants to be known for their ability to transition into attack.

It’s not the first time Molloy has had an AFLW season derailed by injury, after she missed the 2019 campaign for the Pies with a Lisfranc injury.

Molloy, who has played 59 AFLW games, is a three-time All-Australian and claimed the 2018 rising star award.

Molloy was replaced in the match against St Kilda by Kiara Hillier. The Sydney co-captain is set to speak following the game about the injury.

Originally published as AFLW injury news: Chloe Molloy to miss 2024 season after suffering ACL injury