Chloe Molloy has received the first Rising Star nomination following the opening round of the 2018 AFL Women’s season.
The former Whittlesea and Diamond Creek Women’s junior was a standout during her debut in Collingwood’s loss to Carlton at Ikon Park.
The 19-year-old forward was surprisingly used in defence and kept last year’s AFLW leading goal kicker Darcy Vescio goalless, while also gathering a game-high 20 possessions.
The outstanding performance was rewarded, with Molloy and GWS small forward Rebecca Beeson named the AFLW Rising Star nominees for Round 1.
Molloy only returned to football last year after spending an accomplished period on the basketball court.
She was the joint winner of the 2017 TAC Cup Girls best-and-fairest and was also the competition’s leading goal kicker, before also winning the VFLW goal kicking and Rising Star awards.
Her standout season was rewarded, with Collingwood using pick 3 in the 2017 AFLW Draft to secure the star 19-year-old.
She becomes the fourth NFNL player to earn an AFLW Rising Star nomination in the competition’s short history.
Western Bulldogs’ defender Bailey Hunt, Collingwood midfielder Brittany Bonnici and Melbourne-turned Western Bulldogs utility Deanna Berry all received nominations in the inaugural AFLW season last year.
AFL Women’s Rising Star nominees must be 21 years and under as of 1 January 2018, and cannot have been previously nominated for the award.
The winner will be announced at the W Awards at the end of the season.
