Molloy magic: AFLW star produces record-equalling haul
Joanna Guelas |
Chloe Molloy has kicked a record-equalling seven goals to help Sydney make it two wins on the bounce, beating Gold Coast by 82 points.
Molloy kicked five goals in the opening half at People First Stadium on her way to matching former teammate Brooke Lochland’s record, helping fire the Swans to a 15.13 (103) to 3.3 (21) win.
Lochland, now a forward-line coach at Sydney, had achieved the feat in 2018 with the Western Bulldogs and had stood alone in the history books until Saturday.
“It’s ironic Brooke was in the box while Chloe does it,” Swans coach Scott Gowans said.
“It’s just nice to play a game where you can get momentum and use it. That’s a sign of a developing side that’s heading in the right direction.”
It is the second week in a row that Swans co-captain Molloy has set a new personal best, having kicked four goals against Richmond last week on return from a knee reconstruction.
But Molloy wasn’t the only star on the ground, with the one-two punch of midfielders Laura Gardiner (39 disposals, six clearances) and Montana Ham (two goals, 27 disposals) having devastating effect.
Their combined power helped launch Sydney to the fourth-highest AFLW score, with Brisbane scoring 105 points in their win over Fremantle just hours later.
The home side’s midfield beast Charlie Rowbottom struggled to have her usual impact, with Jamie Stanton and Darcie Davies the Suns’ only goalkickers.
Gold Coast are left still searching for their first win under new coach Rhyce Shaw, while Sydney are fast staking their claim as finals contenders.
“Disappointing is probably a good word,” Shaw said.
“Full credit to (the Swans) … they’re going to do a lot of damage this year.”
Molloy picked up on the Gold Coast where she left off at North Sydney Oval, bagging the first two goals.
The Suns could only finish with one score at quarter-time, a behind to second-gamer Havana Harris.
Sydney continued to face little resistance and broke out to a 49-point lead as debutant Amelia Martin slotted her first goal.
Davies ended Gold Coast’s duck by converting her set shot in the second quarter before popping up again to get the home side off to an ideal start in the second half.
But Sydney easily snuffed out the challenge, slamming through five straight goals before Stanton kicked her first major since round five, 2024.
AAP
