Collingwood pounces on gun forward Chloe Molloy with pick No.3 in the AFLW draft

BASKETBALL convert Chloe Molloy felt at home in black and white stripes only a few moments after her name was called out at pick No.3 by Collingwood.

Chloe Molloy (bottom right) joins the other top picks in the AFLW draft. Picture: Getty Images

BASKETBALL convert Chloe Molloy felt at home in black and white stripes only a few moments after her name was called out at pick No.3 by Collingwood.

The 18-year-old from Whittlesea realised a childhood dream when she was nabbed with the Pies first pick in today’s AFLW draft, following in the footsteps of her uncle Jarrod Molloy, who made 169 appearances at the top level for Fitzroy, Brisbane Lions and Collingwood.

Chloe Molloy was snapped up by Collingwood. Picture: Getty Images

“I feel at home, to be honest, supported this team growing up,” Molloy said.

“I’ve put this jersey on as a supporter but now I’m putting it on as a player, it is pretty unreal.

“My fingers were crossed for Collingwood ... I couldn’t be any more prouder.”

Molloy’s selection capped a rapid rise in her new sport after giving away a promising basketball career just 12 months ago.

The Diamond Creek star was seen as one of Australia’s hottest basketball prospects, signing a scholarship with American college outfit Virginia Commonwealth University until taking up football.

Molloy had played junior football but gave away the sport when she was 13 to chase her hoops dream.

Chloe Molloy starred for Diamond Creek in the VFL Women’s competition. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

But she set tongues wagging with Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup Girls before graduating to VFL Women’s to play with the Creekers, claiming both goalkicking awards and named in both teams of the year.

She finished the year with 55 goals across both competitions and was also named the TAC Cup Girls best and fairest and VFLW Rising Star.

Molloy slipped through to Collingwood after the Western Bulldogs selected Isabel Huntington with pick No. 1.

Chloe Molloy made the switch from basketball. Picture: Kylie Else

“Nothing on the sport but I fell out of love with basketball and it’s not the path I wanted to take anymore,” Molloy said.

“It wasn’t tough for me, it was simply a case of following your heart and that’s what I’ve done.

“I don’t think I’ll be going back to professional basketball, I think I can really pursue a career in football but maybe I’ll go play locally with a few friends.”