FANTASTIC article on Moloney

The Dr

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We can 'do a Geelong' at Demons: Moloney

March 11, 2009 - 6:34PM
Melbourne onballer Brent Moloney knows he could have been an AFL premiership player by now.
But after three years of frustrating battles with his body, two years watching his old side Geelong monster the competition, and the last 12 months watching the club he was traded to hit rock bottom on-field, there is not a hint of bitterness.
Moloney, 25, is comfortable where fate and footy have taken him, and upbeat about completing his first full pre-season in a seven-year AFL career.
And his devotion to the Demons' cause is set to leave a lasting off-field legacy as well as anything he does on-field in 2009.
Elevated to the club's leadership group this season, Moloney was heavily involved in setting up a Melbourne Football Club "academy" - effectively an induction program for the club's first-year players.
Moloney knows better than most how the AFL draft and trade system can change lives and club loyalties in an instant.
His move from Geelong to Melbourne - the club he supported as a boy - came as a result of the Cats' need to find quick currency to ensure the 2004 Brad Ottens trade.
Moloney and skipper James McDonald packaged together books on the history of the club and coaching legend Norm Smith, and a DVD of the club's finest moments to give the Demons' 10 new players.
Then they set them some "homework" before they started to think about playing for the club.
"The Aboriginal boys we drafted (Jamie Bennell and Neville Jetta) come from Bunbury, Rohan Bail's come from Queensland, they didn't follow Melbourne and didn't know much about the club," Moloney told AAP.
"It's not their fault they don't know, so we wanted to put a little pack together.
"The young players had to do research on a past player, so they get an idea of what the club's about.
"It's so when they do pull on the jumper, they know who they're playing for."
Moloney himself can't wait to pull on the Demons jersey in 2009.
His battles with chronic groin problems and a troublesome shoulder have restricted his career to stop-start for the past three seasons.
But the tough onballer has already played two pre-season matches, and is scheduled for another hitout against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.
Moloney says he has renewed confidence in his body - even undertaking extra physiotherapy sessions to prevent potential injuries.
Now he's looking forward to helping the Demons rebuild a little faster, and maybe getting round to that premiership a little later in life than he might have otherwise.
"The last few years haven't gone our way, but I'm not 30 years old and I'm not coming to the end of my career," Moloney said.
"I'd like to think I've still got a bit left and with the playing group we've got here and the way the club's moving, in the next four or five years we can do what Geelong have done."

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Great passion there from Beamer, love hearing stories like this, showing real love for the club you play for as opposed to some that just view it as a job and trying to get as much out of it as they can.



Top work, hopefully his body holds together this year:thumbsu:
 

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Fairtex09

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#2
We can 'do a Geelong' at Demons: Moloney

March 11, 2009 - 6:34PM
Melbourne onballer Brent Moloney knows he could have been an AFL premiership player by now.
But after three years of frustrating battles with his body, two years watching his old side Geelong monster the competition, and the last 12 months watching the club he was traded to hit rock bottom on-field, there is not a hint of bitterness.
Moloney, 25, is comfortable where fate and footy have taken him, and upbeat about completing his first full pre-season in a seven-year AFL career.
And his devotion to the Demons' cause is set to leave a lasting off-field legacy as well as anything he does on-field in 2009.
Elevated to the club's leadership group this season, Moloney was heavily involved in setting up a Melbourne Football Club "academy" - effectively an induction program for the club's first-year players.
Moloney knows better than most how the AFL draft and trade system can change lives and club loyalties in an instant.
His move from Geelong to Melbourne - the club he supported as a boy - came as a result of the Cats' need to find quick currency to ensure the 2004 Brad Ottens trade.
Moloney and skipper James McDonald packaged together books on the history of the club and coaching legend Norm Smith, and a DVD of the club's finest moments to give the Demons' 10 new players.
Then they set them some "homework" before they started to think about playing for the club.
"The Aboriginal boys we drafted (Jamie Bennell and Neville Jetta) come from Bunbury, Rohan Bail's come from Queensland, they didn't follow Melbourne and didn't know much about the club," Moloney told AAP.
"It's not their fault they don't know, so we wanted to put a little pack together.
"The young players had to do research on a past player, so they get an idea of what the club's about.
"It's so when they do pull on the jumper, they know who they're playing for."
Moloney himself can't wait to pull on the Demons jersey in 2009.
His battles with chronic groin problems and a troublesome shoulder have restricted his career to stop-start for the past three seasons.
But the tough onballer has already played two pre-season matches, and is scheduled for another hitout against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.
Moloney says he has renewed confidence in his body - even undertaking extra physiotherapy sessions to prevent potential injuries.
Now he's looking forward to helping the Demons rebuild a little faster, and maybe getting round to that premiership a little later in life than he might have otherwise.
"The last few years haven't gone our way, but I'm not 30 years old and I'm not coming to the end of my career," Moloney said.
"I'd like to think I've still got a bit left and with the playing group we've got here and the way the club's moving, in the next four or five years we can do what Geelong have done."

--------------------------------------------------------------------


Great passion there from Beamer, love hearing stories like this, showing real love for the club you play for as opposed to some that just view it as a job and trying to get as much out of it as they can.



Top work, hopefully his body holds together this year:thumbsu:

Its not a bad read, but i would hardly call it a "FANTASTIC" article. It is good to see he actually loves the club especially in a time like this. Hopefully it rubs off on a few of the younger boys, so we dont have another C.J situation.
 

The Dr

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Its not a bad read, but i would hardly call it a "FANTASTIC" article. It is good to see he actually loves the club especially in a time like this. Hopefully it rubs off on a few of the younger boys, so we dont have another C.J situation.
Sorry for offending your ideas of what fantastic is....I'll only post Walkley winners next time...:rolleyes:
 
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#4
The Academy is a very good idea I reckon. These first year players are probably looking at beginning their AFL careers with the wooden spooners, when in reality they are joining a club with more history than any other team. We should light a fire in these kids to make them want to be the Robbie Flower or the Ron Barrassi or the Garry Lyon of the next generation.
 

Bartram_Class

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#5
It's a shame Moloney is:

1) Injured a lot
2) Not as good a player as someone like Brock

Because he's got all the attributes to be a fantastic leader, I'm sure he'll still be in the leadership group for a long time but if he was out on the park a bit more and didn't just bomb it when he got the ball, he'd be close to captain.

A lot of ifs I know, but theres a lot to like about Beamer.
 

dizwah

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#6
Really good to hear Moloney getting involved with the younger guys. Really like the fact he cares about MFC history. I thought he wouldnt of really given a sh*t about that sort of stuff! anyway :thumbsu: up to you Beamer
 

The Professor

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#8
Because he's got all the attributes to be a fantastic leader, I'm sure he'll still be in the leadership group for a long time but if he was out on the park a bit more and didn't just bomb it when he got the ball, he'd be close to captain.
.
Someone from Demonland did say in the practice matches, Moloney is lowering the eyes and not bombing away. That's good news and will make his 60m woofs more effective.
 

Colin Grigson

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#9
Its this 'behind the scenes' stuff that's really good to hear. We tend to judge players worth for what they do 'solely' on the field, but its initiatives like this that are really important in building a successful club.

Moloney is clearly someone the younger brigade look up to and respect, I just hope for his sake and the club's sake, that he can overcome his injury proneness, because I think he is still an important member of our best 22. If he can learn to not 'blaze' away like others have said, and use his penetrating kick more efficiently, then he gives us an 'inside-50' threat we desperately lacked last year...

Good luck to Beamer, i think he deserves a change of fortune for the amount he contributes to the club's success behind the scenes :thumbsu:
 

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maxmustard

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#12
Someone from Demonland did say in the practice matches, Moloney is lowering the eyes and not bombing away. That's good news and will make his 60m woofs more effective.

I'm glad he was lowering his eyes in practice matches back then, explains the laser passes we've grown to love. Being serious though I don't hold it against him for leaving. He gave pretty good service and left with some class at least, meeting with Neeld face to face and attending the B&F. If we lampoon Scully (deservedly) for disgracing himself the way he departed I think that should at least be acknowledged.
 
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#14
Obvious that Moloney backed the wrong horse in Bailey then cracked the sads when relinquished of his pre season wank fest, vice captaincy and leadership group role.
Lets not forget his inability to work defensively.
Moloney is the exact reason we were going nowhere too much sense of entitlement and no follow through at least not on a consistent basis.
I wish it was different players who support the club are always my favourite but Beamer couldn't cut it.
 

Franky_024

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#15
Great player and serviced the club in dark times, but is not apart of the road forward... sad way to end his career with the demons.

Hopefully he can finish his career with a bit of dignity, would fit in nicely with the Dons and their 'lack of defensive pressure' midfield
 
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