Why Swans star believes Sydney does AFLW Pride Round better than anyone else

Another bumper crowd is expected at Henson Park on Sunday afternoon as the Swans take on Carlton in a must-win clash for the hosts’ finals aspirations.

However, the match also plays a far more significant role in the Sydney community, as the competition comes together to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

Moloney believes the chance to not just talk about inclusion, but actively display what it means to embrace diversity, is a vital role for the AFLW to play.

“Being a part of the community myself, I think it’s a really important round for people like me and people in the community, spectators who may identify as part of that community as well,” Moloney said.

“I think it’s really important to have that visibility for people in the LGBTQ community, which is really exciting. I’ve been part of Pride rounds before, but I think Sydney does it better than any other club.

“Even just in their men’s program, they’re the only club that really celebrates a Pride Round, which is really exciting as someone as part of that community gets to be a part of it as well.

“Young people are growing up trying to figure out what their identity is. And the more role models they can see, the easier it is for them and the more comfortable they feel to come out and be who they are.”

The AFL has had to confront head-on this season several high-profile cases of homophobia in the men’s competition, in particular Adelaide’s Izak Rankine, who copped a four-match ban for using a homophobic slur in a game against Collingwood.

While the frequency of the cases conveys there is more work the AFL can do in that space, Moloney believes celebrating Pride Round in the AFLW is an integral way to celebrate that the world is changing for the better when it comes to embracing queer communities.

She is also encouraged by the bravery of former West Coast player Mitch Brown, who became the first men’s player in the AFL’s history to come out as bisexual, that the tide is turning.

“I think where the AFL is at, at the moment, the women’s space is showing how important Pride Round is,” Moloney said.

“Hopefully, this can have some sort of impact on the men’s game and show that we’re in a new era now. The homophobic stuff just can’t stand anymore, and having a Pride Round helps with that just a little bit.

“It was a really brave decision by (Mitch), and hopefully, he’s pioneering a lot more people to do the same … and know it is a safe space to come out and be who you are.

“We’re in a different world, and socially we’re so different than what we were back then. We can’t be stuck in the old times, so it really is exciting and promising.”

Moloney is in her first season at the Swans since making the move from Geelong over the off-season. The 22-year-old was eager for a move that would challenge her both on and off the field, and she couldn’t think of a better place to grow her career than at the Swans.

“Coming to a new side that plays a largely different way, it takes a little bit of time to get used to it,” Moloney said. “New teammates, I was used to Geelong plays, so it’s been a bit tricky, and I was still rusty coming in.

“The facilities in the club are great, I’m loving the Sydney Swans, and I’ve never been part of an organisation this professional. It’s been a great learning year and I think it will hold me in good stead for the years to come.”