Geelong’s Aishling Moloney shares excitement around possible International Rules return ahead of round 10 AFLW clash against Adelaide

Aishling Moloney has endorsed the return of an International Rules series and backed a popular ex-Cat to take the helm of an Irish side. Plus, the star forward opens up on her record-breaking year.

Geelong forward Aishling Moloney finished with a career-best six goals against West Coast in round 9. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

Geelong star Aishling Moloney has thrown her full support behind introducing an International Rules women’s series.

And she’s even put a caveat on top with her choice for Ireland’s coach in recently retired premiership Cat, Zach Tuohy.

Fresh off of breaking the Cats’ AFLW goal record with her six majors against West Coast Eagles on Saturday, the Irish talent, who is also in the box-seat to take out the competition’s leading goalkicker award this weekend, was quick to voice her excitement around the idea.

Aishling Moloney has floated retired Cat Zach Tuohy (pictured) as a potential coach for an International Rules series. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“I think it would be incredible, we need to set a date, MCG, sell it out, Irish versus All Australia and I just think we need to go do it... and we’ll have Zach Tuohy as our coach,” Moloney said with a laugh.

“It’s all sorted out already... and get a few of the Irish lads involved as well in the background.”

While the last men’s series was held in 2017, there has been some talk around its potential return as the amount of Irish players currently competing in the AFLW — 36 in 2024 — continues to grow year-on-year.

And Moloney, who splits her year between the AFLW and Gaelic football back home for Tipperary, is confident the concept could be well received in Ireland too.

“AFLW here gets a lot of broadcast at home (in Ireland), our Brisbane and Geelong game was shown last weekend,” Moloney said.

“So a lot of people who wouldn’t get a chance to watch the game got to see that, that’s how much it’s reaching back home and to viewers back home.”

Geelong forward Aishling Moloney lines up a kick on goal in round 9. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Moloney enters the last round of the season leading the league’s goal kicking tally — two ahead of Brisbane’s Taylor Smith — with her 21 goals already breaking the previous season-best of 20 goals.

It’s a remarkable feat considering Moloney had little concept of the sport 18 months ago, and is just 23 games into her burgeoning AFLW career.

But the individual accolade isn’t at the forefront of the 26-year-old’s mind, with a win over Adelaide on Friday night most important if the Cats are any chance of playing finals this season.

“Every player is out to win a grand final, so at the end of the day that’s what you’re striving for,” Moloney said.

Certain elements remain outside Geelong’s control, with Essendon and Melbourne also needing to lose to push the Cats inside the top eight.

But while a number of early season losses may well consign the Cats to a longer off-season, Moloney is trusting past results will only make the team better moving forward.

“All these losses and wins happen for a reason, you’re always out to learn something from them and what happened in the first half of the season, we definitely learnt and it’s not only benefiting us this year in the back half of the season but it's also something we’re focusing on for next year and looking forward to at the same time,” she said.

Aishling Moloney has taken the AFLW by storm in just her second season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

For Moloney, who has come off limited pre-seasons in each of her two seasons in the league, backing in her skillset and trusting her natural Gaelic attributes has helped her flourish on field this year, though a natural want to improve is also setting her up for success.

“As a sportsperson and a very competitive sportsperson at that, I always want to have the upper hand,” she said.

“I often say to myself, I probably grew up in Ireland knowing what I was playing and I’ve came out here completely on the back foot, and probably have been in the bottom of the pile last year, whereas now it’s just a bit mad knowing my skills and knowing what I can bring to the team has been quite amazing, but there is always elements I want to improve.

“Elements of composure around the ball, as (coach) Dan (Lowther) said, marking in the air, that’s something I need to add to my game and something I’m practising every week, week-in-week-out.

“The day I rest on my laurels and be thinking I know everything will be the day I think I need to retire.”

Originally published as Geelong’s Aishling Moloney shares excitement around possible International Rules return ahead of round 10 AFLW clash against Adelaide