‘A shame’: What players really think about controversial venue call
Chloe Molloy believes the right steps are being taken to keep representative football in the women’s game, even if it means playing at a suburban venue.
The AFL has received heavy criticism over the past month after it refused to move the historic international clash between Ireland and Australia to a larger venue, with North Sydney Oval set to host a sold-out crowd of 9,000 fans on Saturday.
Molloy and McCarthy will go from friends to enemies when they take to the field on Saturday. via Getty Images
Those who missed out on tickets will have to watch along from home or at a local pub to witness all the action, despite pleas to get the game moved to the Sydney Cricket Ground.
While the idea of playing in front of a larger crowd at the SCG is appealing, Molloy made clear that the women’s game must acknowledge how exciting it is to even have the opportunity to play a representative game.
And if that means a smaller venue is the first step, the Sydney Swans forward is content.
“Our preference would be a big stadium that is sold out, but ... we’ve played Swans games at North Sydney Oval and seen the atmosphere that it brings, it’s incredible,” Molloy, who will don the green and gold guernsey, said.
“It took so much work to get this representative game up and running with the PA (players association), the AFL and the players.
“Something that we maybe get caught up in doing is thinking about what’s next. Obviously, we need to predict the future a little bit, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t say I want rep footy.
“We all want the AFLW to grow. (Australia v Ireland) is not at the SCG this year, that’s a shame. I’m excited nonetheless.
“I just want to pull on the jersey in whatever stadium. No one could be (in the stands) and I’d still be just as proud to represent the green and gold.”
When it comes time for the game to expand into larger venues, Molloy’s Swans teammate and looming opponent Paris McCarthy would be open to the international match being played on Irish soil.
She noted you only have to look at the crowd when Mayo broke a 75-year curse to win the Gaelic football title on Monday (AEST) to see how big the game could be.
“It would be scary for the Australians,” she said of a possible game in Ireland.
“In the future, that would be absolutely amazing.
“We had the men’s international rules game back in Ireland and that was a huge thing. Now with the women, I know a lot of people will be watching from Ireland.
“It is an opportunity that would be fantastic, and I would definitely love to see it in the future.”
The trophy that both women are hoping to hold up. via Getty Images
While more representative opportunities is the next step that the Swans pair hope to see, Molloy said the game still has plenty of growing to do at club level.
But despite hoping to win the flag as teammates this year, the pair have no plans to hold back when they face each other on Saturday.
“When you are representing your country, you don’t consider who it is (in front of you),” she said.
“I don’t think there is going to be any holding back or being too nice in the way we go about things. I don’t think it will be an easy game in terms of physicality.
“There is a lot of pride on the line.”
McCarthy agreed, adding: “We (the Irish) are just going to play heart over anything else.
“We will go out there and give 100 per cent. We don’t know any different.
“We are away from home, so we have a lot of motivation to be vulnerable with each other, understand everyone’s perspective and find that goal for the day.”
McCarthy is backing her home nation to bring a raucous energy that will drown out Australia’s fans.
“I think the Irish (fans) are going to roar the whole game,” she said, “I expect it to be very loud.”
Australia and Ireland will face off at North Sydney Oval at 4.15pm AEST.
