AFLW superstar Chloe Molloy is considering a possible role in the Sydney coaches' box after being ruled out of action for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Molloy ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee in an innocuous training incident last week and was a late withdrawal from the Swans' round-two clash with St Kilda on Sunday.
Sydney coach Scott Gowans regards Molloy as "irreplaceable" on the field, but is eager to put his sidelined co-captain to good use elsewhere, and the 25-year-old is open to anything that will help her team.
"I asked pretty much straight away what I could do," Molloy said.
"The mindset was, 'All right, I can't play, what can I do now?'
"I'll push my hat into whatever the team needs from me; whether that's insight, coaching or whatever it may be down on the bench or up in the box.
"Physically I can't do anything, but I think I still have a lot to give."
Molloy, who won her third All-Australian blazer last season, battled a string of serious injuries earlier in her career but felt primed for another big year in 2024.
She kicked two crucial goals in the Swans' season-opening win over her former side Collingwood, before hurting herself when changing direction on the lead at training.
"I dissected everything I did prior to the training session and I really couldn't say that I didn't do everything right," Molloy said.
"I've done everything right from day one of pre-season in terms of investing in what I need from my body.
"There wasn't a single stone that I left unturned and I did everything I could to avoid an injury like this.
"But at the end of the day it's just so innocuous and sadly we've seen a few already in the season. It's just a case of being unlucky."
Molloy is the second AFLW club captain to be ruled out for the season with an ACL injury in a matter of days, after Port Adelaide skipper Janelle Cuthbertson.
The news rocked the AFLW community on Sunday, including those on the opposite side when Sydney took on St Kilda.
"As a football lover you don't want to see anyone do their ACL, let alone one of the best players in the comp," Saints coach Nick Dal Santo said after his team's 16-point win.
"I feel really sorry that the Swans are going to go through that, and Chloe in particular.
"Whether you're playing against them or you just love watching footy, she's a player that you love watching.
"She's enjoyable and we're in the entertainment industry, so as a footy club we wish her all the very best."
