Molly Strano recommits to Tasmania following grand final win

The Tasmanian Tigers have re-signed one of their star players on a longer-term deal who says only one person was sad to see her stay. See who it is.

Fresh off a second consecutive WNCL grand final win, the Tasmanian Tigers have locked away one of their most high-profile recruits for the next three years.

Molly Strano, originally from Victoria, has put pen to paper on a new three-year deal that will see her in Tigers colours until 2026.

After a long week celebrating their epic one-run grand final win over South Australia last Saturday, Strano says it was an easy decision to recommit despite a request to return home from a very special family member.

Amy Smith (left) and Molly Strano (right) celebrate the Tigers last-over one run win in the 2022-23 WNCL grand final over South Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“My Nan wanted me to come home so that was really the only pull,” Strano said.

“We are building something special down here, winning two flags the last two seasons, so it would have been hard to turn my back on that. There is always that pull to want to go back to your home state and finish off your career there but I’ve fallen in love with Tasmania.

“Not only our high performance team but the wider organisation. I’ve been able to forge some really strong and meaningful connections so it would be really hard to turn my back on that. “I’m pretty excited to finish off my career down here in Tassie.”

Strano enjoyed a stellar 2022-23 season where she finished as the competition’s third-highest wicket-taker (22) and says her on-field performance is a result of loving life away from the pitch.

“I’m really enjoying life away from cricket down here also. I think that has a huge impact on performance,” Strano said.

“I love the lifestyle down here. I live down the road from Blundstone Arena so I can walk to training and the ease of life is great in Tassie so I’ve really enjoyed the move and I think that’s played a part in my on-field performances as well.”

While she is hopeful this won’t be the last WNCL contract she signs, Strano was also realistic it could be given she will be over the 30-mark when it ends.

“At the end of this contract I’ll be 33 so I guess it will be up to our high performance management staff and Sal (Salliann Beams) and if she wants me to hang around as an old and weathered off-spinner,” Strano joked.

Strano finished with two wickets in the grand final win over the Scorpions. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“I’d ideally like to finish my career here. I don’t envisage myself moving. Whether that’s in three years’ time or longer, I’d probably like to finish off as a Tiger.”

Strano said while the celebrations had been long and hard throughout the week, the goal now was to continue that success and build towards an elusive three-peat.

“They have been grand (the celebrations) and I’ve loved every minute of it,” she said.

“They went for a couple of days and the trophy has been all around Hobart. She’s had a look at a few different venues so we’ve definitely celebrated accordingly and it’s been a lot of fun.

“Absolutely (another premiership is the goal). It’s a really tough competition, the WNCL, especially with a full home and away season and only the top two go through to a final, and there is no top four so you have to make sure you are humming throughout the season because you can’t afford to have any lulls.

“There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge yet but hopefully we can be right back there at the pointy end next season.”