Injured Collingwood AFLW star Chloe Molloy to spend 2019 in coaches box

Injured Collingwood best-and-fairest winner Chloe Molloy will spend this season in the coaches’ box during her recovery, with the club keen to ensure 2019 is not a wasted year for the AFLW rising star.

Chloe Molloy starred for the Pies in 2018, but an injury will keep her out of action this season. Picture: AAP

Reigning Collingwood best-and-fairest Chloe Molloy will spend this season in the coaches’ box, with the club keen to ensure 2019 is not a wasted year for the AFLW rising star.

Molloy, 20, suffered a Lisfranc foot injury in September, sidelining her for 12 months, but has been given the opportunity to serve as an opposition analyst with the Magpies this season.

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Chloe Molloy starred for the Pies in 2018, but an injury will keep her out of action this season. Picture: AAP

Molloy will serve in the Pies’ coaching box as an opposition analyst. Picture: AFL Media

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“She’s going to continue her growth as an opposition assistant for us and on game day she’ll sit in the box and help with education of the game,” Collingwood coach Wayne Siekman said.

“Our whole motto here at the club is development and learning and it’s not going to stop her from continuing to grow and develop this year so next year she is even better than she was Year 1 through the understanding and footy IQ she’ll get through game day and her work during the week.”

The Magpies hope cross-code player Ash Brazill can step up and help fill the void of Molloy after impressing in the final two games of last season.

Brazill, who also plays for the Magpies’ Super Netball side, has shown significant development since and has been named a vice-captain this season.

Ash Brazill juggles AFLW and netball and the Pies hope she can help fill the void left by the injured Molloy. Picture: Jay Town

“Ash made her debut against Brisbane last year and played on Sabrina Frederick-Traub up there and comfortably beat her and we know the dominance of her in the women’s game,” Collingwood coach Wayne Siekman said.

“So to have her fit and really well managed between football and netball this year, she’s going to be someone that certainly adds a bit of X-Factor for us.

“Everyone talks about us losing Chloe and that’s ultimately going to hinder our team. But we’ve replaced her with Ash Brazil because she’s fit and ready to go and will probably fit in that role for us.”

Siekman said Molloy’s recovery was tracking well, with the hope she would be ready for Day 1 of pre-season later this year.

“She’s doing heaps of work on her left foot so it’s good for her,” he said.

“Next year she might have an exceptional left foot to go with the right.”

Collingwood meets Geelong in Round 1 at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.

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Originally published as Injured Collingwood AFLW star Chloe Molloy to spend 2019 in coaches box