AFL 2023: Kate Darby impressed by Darcy Moloney, Erin Hoare and Aishling Moloney in Geelong match simulation

Geelong won its first practice match of the pre-season, and a host of new and familiar faces impressed — including the No.1 pick of this year’s draft.

Darcy Moloney kicked three goals in the match simulation against Collingwood.

Geelong forward Kate Darby has lauded the work of Cats young gun Darcy Moloney following her impressive scratch match display against Collingwood on Saturday.

Moloney booted three goals, eclipsing her best AFLW haul of two, in the 14-point win in trying conditions at Victoria Park as Geelong’s recruits got their first crack in the hoops.

She wasn’t the only Moloney to catch the eye, with Irish off-season signing Aishling Moloney also showing promise in a half of gametime against the Pies.

There is plenty of buzz surrounding her and former Tipperary teammate Anna-Rose Kennedy, with both tipped by Darby to press for selection this season.

Ruckman Erin Hoare, the first pick of this year’s AFLW supplementary draft, also impressed Darby in her first game back at the Cats since 2019.

Hoare, who played seven games for the Cats in 2019 after crossing over from Melbourne, decided to take a break from the game to pursue her mental health studies and has had two children since leaving the Cats.

Erin Hoare caught the eye in her first game back. Picture: Kelly Defina/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“It was pretty wet and slippery but to be able to take pretty much our full list, got a run around on the field which was really positive. And I think we were quite pleased with how we went as a group,” Darby said.

“I just love the work of Darcy Maloney, she never gives less than 110 per cent. Her ability to find the footy – whether she is playing inside or whether she is down forward is always impressive. And she is a really dangerous person to have the footy in her hands and she always makes some pretty good decisions.

“(Hoare) has come back but she has played with us before but to see her back to her tap-ruck self and getting some nice taps for our mids.

“I think she is starting to get herself into a really good spot with her strength and fitness as well, getting around the ground.

Darby, who kicked a goal herself in a half of footy in the match simulation, said competitiveness and athletic traits of Moloney and Kennedy have stood out in their first pre-season learning the game.

“Look the competitiveness that they’ve got and the physical, they are both pure athletes. They are both super fast and have a good leap on them and are quite strong,” Darby said.

“I think, I know I saw Aishling get some good touches in the half that she played, if they can learn the game and structures quick enough there is no reason why they wouldn’t be able to play this year.”

Anna-Rose Kennedy and Aishling Moloney have impressed in their short time at the Cats.

Unfortunate timing meant their Saturday afternoon hitout clashed slightly with the Matildas’ quarter-final win over France, with driver Darby missing a chunk of the game as her teammates watched on in the car.

“The game on the weekend clashed briefly with our match sim so as I was driving home I had a few girls in the car and they were watching it on their phones and we got back in time for extra time and penalties which was very exciting to watch,” Darby said.

“We are very glad we’ve got Wednesday night off so we can watch the girls then.”

Originally published as AFL 2023: Kate Darby impressed by Darcy Moloney, Erin Hoare and Aishling Moloney in Geelong match simulation