FOR Collingwood pair Ruby Schleicher and Chloe Molloy, finals is certainly not a new prospect.

The pair are a part of a Pies side that has plenty of finals experience under their belt as they head into the Season 7 finals.

Molloy noted that the build up to this season’s finals series is different because it comes at the end of a long year for the AFLW players, and so the players’ bodies are really feeling it. She pointed out how much added importance there is on recovery and gym sessions this time around.

Schleicher added that having 18 teams had made this year different and meant that the fixture overall was less predictable. But the Collingwood defender-turned-midfielder also said that the Pies’ last two games against North and Brisbane has set them up well for the finals pressure they are going to face, and that while every year is different they are still going to go in with the same mentality.

There was also a well publicised short turnaround between this season and the last one, and the Pies’ pair have very different views on whether it was a help or a hindrance.

Schleicher was a fan of the short turnaround. It was just enough time for her to get back from injury and said the short turnaround was just enough time to stay motivated, and is worried that the offseason after Season 7 is going to be more of a challenge because it is much longer.  

Originally a vocal critic of Season 7 being brought forward, Molloy can now see both sides to the debate. She admitted her body is “shot”, but noted that bringing the season forward has allowed some teams to really build momentum off the back of Season 6, and bringing the season forward allows the final expansion teams to be not further behind at their entry.

Schleicher is set to play her 50th game this weekend, but amongst all the excitement she is feeling about the milestone, there is also a sense of shock that it has crept up on her.

“It’s actually probably snuck up on me,” Schleicher said. I didn’t think I’d be at 50, I guess I’m still early on in the piece, just with how turbulent and inconsistent my first four years were with selection, being dropped and injuries, it’s probably surprised me that I’m there this early, but I’m just so excited to play it in an elimination final and to have my parents there to celebrate it with me, coming over from WA is just going to be extra special.”

She has moved into more of a permanent midfield role this season, but it was ultimately by chance that she did the extra running necessary to seamlessly slot into the role.

“It’s funny how it worked out actually in that I didn’t actually know I was going to be a midfielder,” Schleicher said. Last season I finished as a defender obviously and I actually went away to Europe and I couldn’t do any weighs because I’d hurt my neck and I was managing that. I’d just got an injection because I had a bulging disk in my neck so I couldn’t lift any weights, all I could do was run.

“Without really knowing it, I was kind of preparing for what was going to be my midfield role. I was actually in Barcelona when Jordan Roughead called me and said ‘Look I’m going to be the midfield coach I want you to come in there with me, I want you to have this new challenge’.

“I was probably pretty lucky that I was laying off the weights and all I could do was run so kind of by default I was sort of by default the fittest I’ve ever been and was able to come back with a really strong base and probably the fittest I’ve ever been despite not being able to do any gym.”

Meanwhile for Molloy, injury to team mates has seen her able to take on new roles and grow as a footballer.

“I think this year I’ve instilled a new confidence in myself,” Molloy said. When Britta (Britt Bonnici) and Breeza (Brianna Davey) went down I kind of knew I had to step up into a new midfield role and play in the engine room so to say. I kind of thought I was capable but this year kind of cemented that in the sense you know I’ve looked back and watched edits and my midfield craft has really gone to a whole new level and in terms of clearances and tackles.

“I think I’ve formed a well rounded role as a midfielder and I never thought I’d have to do that in a sense that my progression in the game was going to turn into with that, that was sped up by the injuries to Britt and Breeza. I think I shocked myself with my capabilities, but I’ve loved it and I’ve loved the challenge and the team needed that from me and I got asked to step and play in that role and generate what the team needs.”

Molloy has played just about every role in her AFLW career to date, but when asked what her favourite role she conceded it was hard to decide but her ultimate answer might “shock” a few people.

“I actually love being a defender,” Molloy said. I guess having the whole play in front of you, you can see everything. I was that attacking defender when I was playing, and I enjoy slingshotting forward and creating momentum, and weirdly enough actually stopping an opponent’s goal can somewhat be more thrilling than kicking a goal.”