AFLW 2024: Ireland’s Aishling Moloney lifts Geelong to maiden win with four-goal haul
Irishwoman Aishling Moloney showed glimpses of what she can do in Geelong’s first three rounds. On Saturday, she unleashed her athletic weapons in great force in what was one of her best game in hoops.
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Aishling Moloney threatened to break open a game a fortnight ago.
On the Gold Coast on Saturday, the Irish forward showed just how dangerous she can be in just her 17th game, with a career-best and game-high four goals leading the Cats to a crucial and timely first win of the season against the Suns, 15.6 (96) to 4.3 (27).
In doing so, Moloney became just the second Cat to kick four or more goals in a game, after teammate Chloe Scheer.
Off the back of a strong rookie season in 2023 — named the Cats’ best first year player — Moloney arrived back in Australia in August following a strong Gaelic campaign with Tipperary.
And while their was glimpses of the 26-year-old weapons in the opening three rounds of the season – most so in their draw against North Melbourne in round 2 — it was against the Suns' it all came together in strong unison.
The key? Games under her belt while the dry deck at Gold Coast’s First People Stadium didn’t hurt either.
“For me the more games I get the better for me,” Moloney said post-win.
“You obviously learn the different tricks and tips when you’re in game scenarios and proper game sense.
“Obviously the last three-four weeks, the weather has been quite poor (in Victoria), so definitely liked to get a bit of dry weather and dry footy.”
Moloney’s incredible athleticism for a player of 183cm is part and parcel to her game both home and abroad, her ability to get up the ground and link defence to forward — she had 336 metres gained against the Suns — just as important as when she turned on the jets, broke away from her direct opponent multiple times with her speed and bounce of the ball getting open looks on goal and accounting for three of her four majors. This despite senior coach Dan Lowther’s comments post-match his Irish players worried the bounce wouldn’t come back to them.
“I always loved being a runner growing up and I love that kind of athleticism,” Moloney said.
“My most enjoyable part of a game is getting involved in the running element.”
Her natural Gaelic kicking style across the body saw Moloney go for the snaps early, though she eventually utilised the drop punt for her final goal.
“I just went with what I knew was best, probably the first one I could have kicked it front on but I just felt more comfortable doing it around,” she said.
“As long as it ends up between the sticks, I suppose, can’t really complain.”
Returning to Ireland in the off-season, where she and Tipperary had one of their best seasons, Moloney admitted her second year back in Australia had started smoother than her rookie year.
“It was definitely very new last year,” she said.
“Coming over this time was a bit more relaxed, more so in terms of myself and having learned the game and learned the rules (last season).”
Joining Moloney and fellow Irish players Anna-Rose Kennedy and Rachel Kearns at Kardinia Park this year is rookie signing Kate Kenny, who is improving with each game under her belt.
“Kate’s amazing, she’s a well-known, household named back home in Ireland,” Moloney said of the Offaly dual Gaelic-Camogie star.
“It’s no surprise how well she’s doing out here, it’s great to have someone of her attributes being alongside me – it’s a privilege to share the field with her.”
What was also no surprise to Moloney was Kenny’s incredible drop punt bomb from beyond 60 metres against the Suns, which, as the first-quarter siren sounded with the ball md-air, eventually bounced through untouched for a goal.
“It was insane but I’m not surprised, she’s been doing those kind of tricks in training,” Moloney said.
Analysis: Cats get attack humming with high-pressure running game
You’ve got to adapt to the conditions at hand but there was no doubt Gold Coast’s dry deck played right into the Cats’ hands.
And it was right on time as the Cats’ season hung in the balance in a shortened 11-game season.
Against the Suns, the Cats’ swift ball movement, efficiency going forward and pressure were all trademarks to their 69-point winning performance.
A breakthrough win will hopefully spark momentum moving forward, though the Cats are determined to keep improving especially as an even bigger game looms Thursday night.
Aishling Moloney, who kicked a career-best four goals against the Suns, said while “delighted to get on our way with the win”, come Monday all attention will be on top-four Hawthorn, who thrashed undefeated St Kilda in round 4.
“You always have to improve in this game, you can never settle on your laurels,” Moloney said.
“It’s all eyes on that (Hawks game) now.”
Geelong coach Dan Lowther said his team’s last 15 minutes against Gold Coast was “a bit off” despite the Cats still winning the quarter 26-20, though it was hard to ignore just how good the Cats’ first three quarters were.
“To bounce back from a poor performance last week from our standard was a great response from the girls and that was what we were hoping to get today was a response,” he said.
After managing just 0.5 in their loss to Carlton last week, the Cats wasted little time asserting their dominance on Gold Coast, kicking the first five goals of the game by early in the second quarter.
It was essentially game over by half time, the Cats up by 50 points and already surpassing their highest score of the season (40 points against Melbourne in round 1).
They held the Suns goalless until midway through the third quarter, and threatened to break the triple-digit barrier late in the fourth, while ultimately finishing a goal shy of equalling their best-ever winning margin (75 points).
Star midfielder Georgie Prespakis’ continued omission with a quad injury didn’t seem to faze the Cats, with Nina Morrison stepping up in a best-on-ground performance, with 15 of her 28 touches coming in the first half alongside 16 contested possessions, seven clearances and seven tackles for the match.
Becky Webster was crucial off halfback to give Geelong drive up the field, with the Cats’ ability to score on Saturday mostly starting from turnovers.
In dryer conditions, the Cats utilised their running game (19 bounces to four) to get the overlap handball and move the ball forward swiftly and effectively, while dominating marks and marks inside 50.
And while Carlton killed Geelong with their pressure last round, it was the Cats who brought the heat against the Suns from the outset to suffocate their rival and force the turnover.
Alongside Moloney, Jackie Parry, in her 50th AFLW game, and Shelley Scott finished with equal career-best three goal hauls, while Mikayla Bowen was superb. After playing mostly as a wing last year, her move to a high half forward role this year has been a success, with the 23-year-old’s hard work and tackle pressure both up the ground and closer to goal reaping her a goal but most importantly three goals assists and 10 score involvements.
Meanwhile, young midfielder Darcy Moloney was strong with 22 disposals and a game-high 512 metres gained and six inside 50s, as was Gabbi Featherston, who also while working as a undersized second ruck option, was cool and composed with her 13 touches through the midfield.
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