Liam Molloy discusses his ambitions as Essendon’s new Premier Cricket captain
Liam Molloy has been tasked with leading the Essendon rebuild and is excited by the challenge of shaping young talent into future stars.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Liam Molloy has been tasked with shaping Essendon’s future.
The Bombers all-rounder joins a distinguished list of club captains after being named to replace James Seymour.
Molloy will step up to the role full-time in 2024-25 after filling in for Seymour in the past two seasons.
The Bombers are set to undergo major changes this summer and the new skipper is excited by the challenge of shaping young talent into future stars for club and Premier Cricket.
“It’s pretty exciting and I’m pretty honoured,” Molloy said.
“I’ve played under captains at the Bombers that have had First Class experience in Clint McKay, Aaron Ayre, Michael Hill and James Seymour.
“To be alongside those guys on the boards at the club is pretty special and I’m honoured and grateful to lead the club.
“I think there’s a fair bit of young talent on our list.
“I think there’s plenty of room for growth and development and hopefully I can have an impact on the start of their careers.
“For me, one thing I’m keen to do, is try and help develop these young guys and set up their careers and in turn set the club up for some future success.”
Molloy finished with 277 runs at an average of 23.08 in 17 matches this season.
He also captured 10 wickets.
A talented footballer at Oak Park, Molloy earned Essendon District Division 2 Team of the Year honours in 2022 before taking a season off to play cricket in the UK.
Being appointed football captain helped turn his attention to cricket leadership.
“I captained my local footy side a few years ago and that opened my eyes a bit to potentially expanding into cricket,” Molloy said.
“It’s been on the agenda for a couple of years but I didn’t expect it to come this quickly, but that experience has helped and will help me for the coming years.
“I’ve been lucky enough to captain a couple of games as well as the Super Slam for a couple of season.
“I’ve really enjoyed it, it wasn’t something I expected to do when I first started playing Premier Cricket.”
Essendon has lured opening bat Josh Trembearth to Windy Hill from St Kilda, while Will Dundon will step up from VSDCA club Coburg.
Molloy will team up with Essendon great Ben Fletcher who took the coaching reins at the start of the season.
“I knew of his record before he came to the club and the last 12 months he’s been nothing short of exceptional for me,” Molloy said.
“He’s really positive and well organised and that’s something I’ll try and take into my leadership – that positivity.
VTCA: LOCAL CRICKET POWERHOUSE EYEING NEW COMPETITION
LEADER: GET YOUR PREMIER CRICKET NEWS HERE
MOVES: ESSENDON SECURES PAIR OF PREMIER RECRUITS
“(Captaincy) is about injecting confidence and belief in the players.
“There’s always that little man on the shoulder but it’s about making sure they’re comfortable – you’re playing First Grade Premier Cricket, you’re good enough to be here.
“It’s about giving that clarity to the players about what role we want them to perform on the day and making sure everyone is on the same page.”
The Bombers have also welcomed back former Victoria paceman Louis Cameron as an assistant coach, who Molloy played alongside as a young developing player.
The rising stars set to take VTCA season by storm
Talented youngsters continue to make their way through the ranks of Victorian Turf Cricket Association clubs. Here’s some of the rising stars to look out for this season.
Local club celebrates centenary with legends, new beer
Local cricket club Barkly Street Uniting is celebrating its centenary this season and marked the occasion by inducting new legends and a beer collaboration.