Port Adelaide’s Maria Moloney is an impressive individual, both on and off the field. 

For a decade, she has balanced her role as a professional athlete with serving in the Royal Australian Air Force as a Flight Sergeant. This weekend, she’ll add another accolade to her impressive resume when she celebrates playing 50 games at the highest level. 

Moloney began her AFLW career with the Brisbane Lions, making her debut in 2020, before joining Port Adelaide as part of its inaugural team ahead of the 2022 season. Known for her selfless, professional, and team-first approach, she plays a significant role in shaping the culture and development of the club’s young list. 

Ahead of her milestone 50th AFLW game this weekend, she reflected on what the achievement means to her, how she balances her role in the Air Force, the growth of the AFLW competition, and the lessons the group has taken from a disappointing Round 7 loss to the Saints. 

Port Adelaide will take on the Western Bulldogs this weekend under lights at Alberton Oval at 6:45pm ACST. Tickets are on sale now. 

Moloney on what the milestone means 
“I didn't think I would ever get to this point. I feel super fortunate that I've got here. It would be remiss of me not to mention all the people that have supported me along the way, particularly my family. I don't think a weekend goes by when they don't make an eight hour trip here and then an eight hour trip back to come watch me play. I’m just super grateful, and grateful for the opportunity to play here.” 

“I've got a lot of nieces, and I've got a nephew as well. And as I've progressed through, they've obviously gotten a little bit older, and they come and watch all the games, and they cheer us all on. They’re the reasons that you play for – for the people around you, just as much as your own enjoyment.” 

Moloney on the growth of the AFLW competition 
“It is pretty incredible how much it's changed. You can definitely tell the 18-year-olds coming through now, they have had the opportunity to play from six years old right through. Whereas, for older players in the group, we had to give it away at about 12 and then pick it back up when we were able to do so. I think just the development of the league and the opportunities (have come a long way). The main thing is just the participation and so many more females are getting back into sport through footy. That’s the incredible thing about it, that it's given a lot more people the opportunity to play community sport and keep active in the community.” 

“And I think you can tell that it is making a difference, particularly with the skill level that's coming through, particularly those top 10 draft picks. A lot of those girls are playing with elements that you'd see in the men's game, just the way they move. I think that's where you can really see that they've played the whole way through, and they're watching a lot of footy.” 

Moloney on balancing her role as a Flight Sergeant in the Royal Australian Air Force with AFLW football 
“I'm very, very fortunate. The Air Force has been incredibly supportive of my footy career. I remember when I first got drafted, I was in a job where I travelled around the world a lot, and it was a lot of short notice taskings. You might be supposed to be away for three days; but you end up being away for 10 days. As soon as I got drafted, they were able to put me in a position where I could do a desk-based job, so I didn't have to travel so much. And then since that point, they've been able to find vacant admin roles for me to do, instead of my primary role. It's worked super well. All my work colleagues have always been incredibly supportive of what I do. I’m so grateful for their interest and how supportive they are of me sort of pursuing this.” 

“It is quite similar. I know the club, through their community arm, they run a Veterans Program, and for that reason, it's got very similar vibes in terms of the structure and the discipline of it. And in terms of leadership as well, the skills and experience cross over. I’m just super lucky to have the opportunity to do both.” 

Moloney on how her body is holding up this season 
“I've sort of changed roles onto the wing a bit, so I'm waking up the next morning feeling great - no bruises, no sore parts, because it's a lot more just running and out on the outside sort of thing, so my body's doing super well.” 

Moloney on what the group learned from the loss against St Kilda 
“We came in (to the club after the loss) and decided that we need to take a bit more of a ruthless mindset and approach into it. I think it's just key moments - we missed some key things, and we just couldn't stem that momentum. We'll learn from that, and hopefully if something like that happens to us again, we'll be able to respond differently.” 

“The key is going to be four consistent quarters rather than three quarters. The Dogs present a great opportunity for us on Saturday night. We'll take that opportunity on and hopefully bounce back.”