Werribee Tigers have brought back the well-travelled Ben Moloney ahead of a return to stand-alone status in the Victorian Football League.
Moloney is excited to be returning to his original VFL club following stints with AFL-aligned Collingwood and Geelong, earning a reputation as one of the league’s top inside midfielders.
The 26-year-old has played 89 senior VFL games, but none with a stand-alone club – a key driver to his return to Watton Street.
He already knew the likes of captain Michael Sodomaco and, after a chat with coach John Lamont, concluded the Tigers were offering an opportunity too good to pass up.
“There may not have been an opportunity at Geelong for me,” he said. “I just wanted to make the most of the time while I’ve got it.
“[Werribee chief executive] Mark Penaluna and those sorts of blokes gave me the opportunity way back then, and now I hope I can reward them with some good footy and bring my experience to the table.”
Moloney’s first stint with Werribee was in 2010 after he graduated from the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup.
He played 11 senior games for the Tigers in three seasons, but was a dominant player in the development league team, winning consecutive best-and-fairest awards in 2011 and 2012.
Moloney’s best VFL season to date came with Collingwood in 2015, when he claimed the team’s best-and-fairest award and collected VFL team of the year honours.
Once a vice-captain at the Magpies, Moloney’s leadership qualities were attractive for Werribee and he is looking forward to taking some of the youngsters under his
wing.
“There are a lot of young players here and I’d like to use a bit of my experience to help them,” Moloney said.
“It might be their first or second year and this is my ninth year … I want them to all be able to play for eight or nine years and make the most of their VFL opportunity while they’ve got it.”
Lamont has already seen Moloney have a positive impact in his brief time back at Avalon Airport Oval.
“He’s thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with the club and a number of players,” Lamont said.
“We’re really confident that he’s going to be a real leader and role model in our midfield.”
