TALENTED left-footer Molly Thomas is one of a number of promising Sydney Swans Academy members and Allies representatives who is chasing her dream of reaching the AFL Women’s. The Singleton Roosters prospect has some exciting traits mostly playing through the midfield with damaging kicking and the ability to compete overhead.
We spoke to Thomas mid-season about her journey, inspirations, and goals for the year ahead.
Q: Molly, tell us a little bit about your footy journey?
MT: “My coach at school got a team together for AFL and none of us had played at all and we thought ‘yeah we’ll give it a go’ so we went down to Sydney and played in the Paul Kelly Cup. We actually ended up winning the Paul Kelly Cup, so my mum decided that there was this trial in Sydney for the Swans Academy and so she said ‘look you’ll try out for this’ and I was like ‘yeah that’s fine’. Then I got into that when I was about 12 and I’ve been playing ever since.”
Q: How would you describe yourself as a player?
MT: “I’m definitely a first-possession player, I kick with my left foot and have good hands above my head.”
Q: What do you see as some of your strengths?
MT: “My tackling definitely, my aerial ball and my left foot.”
Q: Is there anything you’re looking to improve on?
MT: “My left hand. Because I write with my right hand, I have to practice dropping with my left hand to my left foot.”
Q: What’s your preferred role on the field?
MT: “Definitely in the midfield, but if I was to go anywhere else, it would be in the backline.”
Q: Who’s had the most influence on your individual career?
MT: “My family. They make sure I always get to training, get to the games, always on time, and definitely my (Singleton Roosters) coach ‘Nads’ (Nadene McBride) who sadly passed away in a bus accident.”
Q: Which AFL/W club your support?
MT: “Sydney Swans.”
Q: Which player do you look up to or model your game on at the top level?
MT: “I would go men’s probably Isaac Heeney or (Tom) Papley, and women’s Tanya Kennedy.”
Q: Finally, what goals do you have set for yourself?
MT: “To push myself further to obviously try and get drafted to the Sydney Swans, but anyone would be amazing. That’s just my dream.”
