WHEN Darcy Moloney was called into a meeting with Geelong AFLW coach Paul Hood and forwards assistant Aaron Black on Tuesday night she was bracing for bad news.
The Colac Imperials product, who the Cats snapped up with their first pick (no.10 overall) in last year’s National Draft, thought she was going to be told that her debut would have to wait.
She needn’t have worried, with Hood telling Moloney she would become the 32nd player to don the Hoops at the highest level in Sunday’s season-opening clash with North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium.
“Walking in (to the meeting), I was quite nervous and scared,” Moloney told krockfootball.com.au.
“I was filled with joy and happiness and gratefulness that they have given me this opportunity.
“Once I found out, I was tearing up a little bit – I tried not to cry.
“Now, I’m super excited.”
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Moloney, 18, has admitted to a couple of sleepless nights since finding out she would be playing.
“I had a terrible sleep last (Wednesday) night,” she said.
“I just could not stop thinking about it. I’m so excited to be able to run out in the Hoops with all the girls, and I’m really honoured.
“It’s all happened pretty quickly, and it’s a pretty surreal feeling.”
Despite being disappointed with her performance, Moloney is taking some confidence out of Geelong’s practice match loss to Melbourne earlier this month.
“The practice match was a really good learning experience,” she said.
“I wasn’t very happy with the practice match and the way I played.
“But it was a good learning experience with what I can fix for Round 1, and getting a taste of the bigger bodies and the faster pace.
“It was good to be able to take away those things and prepare myself for this week and know that it’s not out of my league.”
The former Geelong Falcons captain said Hood’s message to her ahead of Sunday was pretty simple.
“He gave me reassurance to be confident in the way that I play and that I’ve been picked for a reason,” Moloney said.
Twitter: @tom_king79
