The Richmond Football Club's decision not to participate in the next VFLW season is a cause of concern for some players. But it might not impact Ballarat's Sophie Molan, who looks to have cemented her place in the club's senior squad. The 19-year-old played every game in Richmond's inaugural AFLW season last summer. Earlier this month she was awarded with a contract extension which will keep her in yellow and black until 2022. READ MORE "It was awesome, I was really happy with the club offering me a two-year deal. I've loved my time there so I was pretty stoked when they sent that one through," she told The Courier. "It was a nervous time with not having any football to play and with the season being cut short." Molan, who was taken seventh overall in the 2019 AFLW draft, made her debut in the Tigers' round one loss to Carlton in February. Her first touch came after taking a mark in the back pocket before kicking the ball up field. "It will be a memory I'll have forever running out - not just for me but the club in general," she said. "It was a crazy atmosphere with all the fans and running through the banner - it's something I'll never forget." Molan saw time in the midfield and on the wing before the season was cancelled following the COVID-19 outbreak. "It ended pretty quickly, we missed out on the last few games, but I had a few meetings with coaches and they were happy with my start," Molan said. "Obviously there is more development to be had in the next few years, playing through the midfield and on the wing, and they were happy enough to sign me on again." Molan was one of 27 players named on the club's 2020-21 list. Not included, however, were Molan's former GWV Rebels teammates Ella Wood and Nakaela Butler Wood, who was taken with the 32nd pick last October, was one of three Richmond players to announce her retirement in the off-season, while Butler was delisted. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, Molan returned to Ballarat, where she's remained since. "We were able to train together in groups of 10 briefly as we came out of stage three lockdown, but going back into stage four was tough," she said. "The club has given us strength and conditioning programs and skills stuff we can do so we aren't too far behind when we come back." Molan said she expected to return to Melbourne in the coming months for the 2020-21 season induction. "Everyone wants to play more minutes, but I just want to play a role with the team," she said. "I don't know where I'll play, hopefully it will be in the midfield, but i just want to be out there playing footy."
DESPERATION: Sophie Molan fights for the ball against the GWS Giants during the 2019-20 AFLW season. Picture: Richmond FC
The Richmond Football Club's decision not to participate in the next VFLW season is a cause of concern for some players.
But it might not impact Ballarat's Sophie Molan, who looks to have cemented her place in the club's senior squad.
The 19-year-old played every game in Richmond's inaugural AFLW season last summer. Earlier this month she was awarded with a contract extension which will keep her in yellow and black until 2022.
"It was awesome, I was really happy with the club offering me a two-year deal. I've loved my time there so I was pretty stoked when they sent that one through," she told The Courier.
"It was a nervous time with not having any football to play and with the season being cut short."
Molan, who was taken seventh overall in the 2019 AFLW draft, made her debut in the Tigers' round one loss to Carlton in February.
Her first touch came after taking a mark in the back pocket before kicking the ball up field.
"It will be a memory I'll have forever running out - not just for me but the club in general," she said.
"It was a crazy atmosphere with all the fans and running through the banner - it's something I'll never forget."
Molan saw time in the midfield and on the wing before the season was cancelled following the COVID-19 outbreak.
"It ended pretty quickly, we missed out on the last few games, but I had a few meetings with coaches and they were happy with my start," Molan said.
"Obviously there is more development to be had in the next few years, playing through the midfield and on the wing, and they were happy enough to sign me on again."
Molan was one of 27 players named on the club's 2020-21 list. Not included, however, were Molan's former GWV Rebels teammates Ella Wood and Nakaela Butler
Wood, who was taken with the 32nd pick last October, was one of three Richmond players to announce her retirement in the off-season, while Butler was delisted.
Following the COVID-19 outbreak, Molan returned to Ballarat, where she's remained since.
Sophie Molan
"We were able to train together in groups of 10 briefly as we came out of stage three lockdown, but going back into stage four was tough," she said.
"The club has given us strength and conditioning programs and skills stuff we can do so we aren't too far behind when we come back."
Molan said she expected to return to Melbourne in the coming months for the 2020-21 season induction.
"Everyone wants to play more minutes, but I just want to play a role with the team," she said.
"I don't know where I'll play, hopefully it will be in the midfield, but i just want to be out there playing footy."
