Australian Football

Like his fellow Tassie Medallist, Peter Eakins of Western Australia, South Australia's Graham Molloy probably reached his peak as a footballer in 1969, the season he won the Medal. Indeed, in Molloy's case, that peak was probably even more confined, comprising just the two or three months prior to, and the eight day period of, the '69 carnival itself. Afterwards, Molloy, who moved from Norwood to Melbourne in 1970, was only sporadically the same player as the one who had thrilled the record crowds at Adelaide Oval during the carnival.

Equally at home on the ball or across half forward, Molloy's pièce de résistance was his phenomenal leaping ability, which time after time enabled him to soar above even the densest of packs, as often as not coming back to earth cradling the leather in his arms. A left footer, his pinpoint kicking to position, sometimes over prodigious distances, was another noteworthy feature of his game. Less conspicuous but equally significant was the fact that "he provided an infusion of 'devil' with his vigour and willingness to 'go through' regardless of bruises".¹

Persistent niggling injuries limited Molloy's effectiveness as well as the number of his appearances after his move to Melbourne and he managed only 67 VFL games in six seasons before moving to VAFA club, Ringwood, as coach in 1976.

Author - John Devaney