Teary star’s beautiful interview after bombshell Swans trade

An emotional Chloe Molloy says telling Collingwood teammates about her bombshell defection to Sydney was the toughest part of a rollercoaster decision-making process.

An emotional Chloe Molloy sits down with Ruby Schleicher.

An emotional Chloe Molloy says telling Collingwood teammates about her bombshell defection to Sydney was the toughest part of a rollercoaster decision-making process.

The Swans on Wednesday pulled off an enormous AFLW coup, with Molloy — a dual All-Australian and AFLW Rising Star winner — officially signing with the expansion club after six seasons as a Magpie.

Molloy’s move to the Swans was confirmed as the ‘Priority Signing Period’ opened up, with the Swans, Power, Bombers and Hawks — the four recent expansion clubs — able to sign players without having to strike a trade with a rival team.

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The 24-year-old is the first marquee signing for Sydney, which finished its first AFLW season with a 0-10 record.

In an emotional interview with ex-Magpies teammate — and Fox Sports News reporter — Ruby Schleicher, Molloy opened up on why she made the move and her nerves about the prospect of potentially facing the Pies next season.

Here’s the full transcript.

An emotional Chloe Molloy sits down with Ruby Schleicher.

Ruby Schleicher: Chlo, we know each other pretty well, but I‘ve never seen you in these colours. Do you want to talk us through the decision?

Chloe Molloy: Well I don‘t think I expected to see myself in the colours either, Ruba. I mean sitting across from you, you were one of the first ones (inaugural Magpies) and we have such a history together and I think it’s pretty special to actually be here with you talking to you and telling you about what went through my head in probably the most emotional couple of months … Being a Collingwood supporter, it was really hard and to sit across from you here right now in different colours, it’s not something I ever expected. I just felt like the way I’d evolved as a person, I gave so much to Collingwood – it’s not that I couldn’t give any more to them because I know I could – but it just felt really right at the time. I’d been there for a while and my body didn’t co-operate with me a lot of the years, which makes me really sad because I felt like I still had a lot more potential. But after a lot of considerations and a lot of conversations with people that meant a lot to me, this decision just felt really right to open a new chapter, move up to Sydney.

RS: You‘re a mad Collingwood family. How did your family feel about the news?

CM: My family are just supportive of whatever I want to do … I think it was more the teammates that was hard … because like I said, I never pictured I‘d be in any other colours – it’s not that I’m not proud to be in Sydney colours. But Mum and Dad just wanted me to be happy, little brother Zac – they’re all very supportive of me no matter what I do. But it was the teammates that made it really hard. I think it’s when you step away that you realise how much you did impact them … it’s the saying ‘you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone’. I just received some beautiful messages from people – and even from you, just love and ‘we just want you to be happy’ … Everyone that has meant something to me has been nothing but supportive, which has made it a lot easier.

RS: Outside of the obvious lifestyle aspects of Sydney, what else drew you to the club on-field team-wise? What helped you come to that decision?

CM: They haven‘t had their first win and they haven’t shied away that they underperformed immensely. I kind of wanted to be the player that Sydney were calling out for help and I wanted to be the one to answer that call and go over there and take responsibility. I know I’m not going to do it all by myself, but I think the name I’ve been to create for myself, to take that over to Sydney – I feel like I can do a lot of good for them.

Ruby Schleicher and Chloe Molloy in 2021. Picture: Michael Willson

RS: Now will you be putting in a request to the AFL for a Collingwood-Sydney match-up throughout the season?

CM: I hope it happens, more so because I’m going to end up loving both teams. I‘m actually a little bit nervous, as anyone who switches teams to play their old side …

RS: As you should be. I’m coming for ya! I’m coming for ya!

CM: Haha! But there’s been no bitterness, which actually makes me excited because I know the growth and the potential of the Collingwood side. As much as I‘m leaving, that’s not going to stop that. So I know that there’s some absolute talents coming through the ranks and I think me leaving actually opens up an opportunity for one of the younger players to come up and step into a new role and I’m so excited to see that.

RS: Well Chlo, I‘ll definitely miss running out beside you every week. There might be a bit of biff on the field – there always will be – but we’re proud of you for making the decision.

CM: Thank you, Ruba. A lot of love for you.

Originally published as Teary star’s beautiful interview after bombshell Swans trade