A TENACIOUS tackler with great defensive attributes and an ability to play across all three lines, Murray Bushrangers’ Molly McLaren showed that taking a break when you need it is always helpful in refocusing. The talented Lavington-based draft prospect only turned 17 last December, but is able to drive due to the New South Wales laws and certainly covers a lot of kilometres from the border around the state.
McLaren opted to take a break from her football in her bottom-age season so as not to burn out from the sport she loved, and returning for 2025, she has set her sights on being the best possible player and person she can be. We spoke to her at the Coates Talent League Preseason Testing Day about her journey, game and how she sets goals for herself.
Q: Molly, give us a little bit of a rundown into your footy journey?
MM: “My first glimpse at footy was at school. I played a bit of PWSA with the boys, we never really had a girls team. When I was old enough to play in the girls competition which was Under 14s, I played when I was 12 for the Lavy Panthers down in Albury. About the top-age 14s I thought about quitting and my coach who I’d had for the first two years of my footy wouldn’t stop ringing me, he’s like “no you gotta play, you gotta play” and I finally gave in and stuck at it and I haven’t stopped since. So I’ve been playing for about six years now.”
Q: Last year you missed a significant portion of time, what was the reason behind that?
MM: “I just needed a little bit of my break with my footy, I wasn’t in the best mind frame. I thought it was safer to have a break instead of keep pushing through it and hating the game, which definitely isn’t the case, I love my footy so I’ve recovered now on the right track, in a great mental space with my footy, I’m loving it. It’s exactly where I want to be, it’s what I want to do, it’s what I’m striving for, it’s my dream.”
Q: Over the preseason have you had a clean run from injury?
MM: “I’ve had no little hiccups or anything. I did last preseason so I didn’t test very well this time last year, but I think today I’ve kind of proved myself that I’m back in the game a little bit.”
Q: Where do you expect to play this year?
MM: “Probably an inside mid rotating into a small forward/forward pocket, a bit of a goalsneak.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
MM: “My footy IQ. I think it definitely helps with my leadership, I like to see it as one of my strengths. I have a pretty loud voice out on the field and having some footy IQ out on the field definitely helps it out.”
Q: In terms of your improvements?
MM: “Definitely my aerobic fitness, being able to have a longer game and not needing as many rotations, it’s something I’m working on.”
Q: Who’s had the most influence on your career?
MM: “Mario de Santa-ana, an ex-Bushies coach. He’s stuck with me even after he’s not with our program any more. Definitely taught me a lot not just the midfield, but life in general.”
Q: You’re linked with the Allies due to living on the NSW border. How much have you had to do with them?
MM: “I got to play with the Under 16s National Championships up on the Gold Coast with GWS and that was my last link through there, but hopefully this year I’ll get to play Allies, so just on the border in Albury there.”
Q: Which AFL/W club you support?
MM: “I go for Richmond.”
Q: Which players do you model your game on?
MM: “Monique Conti. I think she’s an absolute weapon and I also have a basketball background so I think it’s pretty cool that she’s able to balance both at such a professional level.”
Q: Finally, what goals do you set for yourself this year?
MM: “Definitely taking a new approach this year. I used to set very big goals that weren’t exactly realistic, so ever little milestone this year is a goal for me. Even getting myself down to testing this year and I’ve reached my goal in the yo-yo so that’s a goal that I’ve already ticked off for this year.”
