Flight Sergeant Maria Moloney's passion for AFL has not only shaped her career but is now inspiring a new wave of aviators to embrace the sport.
From her early days in regional Victoria to playing for Port Adelaide in the AFL Women's (AFLW) competition, Flight Sergeant Moloney's story highlights the power of perseverance, teamwork and community engagement.
Raised near Warrnambool, the 30-year-old discovered AFL early through playing Auskick with her twin brother.
"Country football, netball and other sporting clubs are an integral part of regional communities," Flight Sergeant Moloney said.
The lack of a girls' Aussie rules team led her to netball at 13, but she stayed connected to footy through boundary umpiring.
She never lost her love of the game and her playing career was reignited when she was posted as a loadmaster to 36 Squadron at RAAF Amberley.
"Brisbane had plenty of women's footy," Flight Sergeant Moloney said.
"I jumped at the chance to play again."
Flight Sergeant Moloney's AFLW journey began with the Brisbane Lions in 2019, where she played eight games in 2020. After limited opportunities, she joined Port Adelaide, a move enabled by Air Force.
"They secured me a position in Adelaide, allowing me to play regularly," she said. "Port was a turning point."
Flight Sergeant Moloney's efforts are paying dividends with regular game time and a recently earned top-three spot in her team's players association awards.
'I've had a good run - it was right place, right time.'
Now with 10 years' service under her belt, Flight Sergeant Moloney entered Air Force via the Gap Year program.
"I've had a good run - it was right place, right time," she said.
"A few of us were offered the chance to apply to be a loadmaster and I was selected."
Now in scheduling at 11 Squadron, Flight Sergeant Moloney balances her role with around 22 hours of AFLW commitments every week and says Air Force's support has been vital.
"They arranged day flights during my first AFLW season while I was still flying and shifted me to ground roles to support my footy," she said.
"From 36 Squadron to now, every unit has backed my dual careers, making it all possible. I feel very fortunate."
A standout moment came when Air Force AFL teammates were in Melbourne and came to watch Flight Sergeant Moloney play for the Brisbane Lions against North Melbourne in 2022.
"The whole club, men's and women's teams and support staff, came to support," she said.
"My Brisbane teammates couldn't believe it. Fifty or 60 work colleagues barracking louder than anyone else there. It was incredible."
Flight Sergeant Moloney sees strong parallels between AFL and her Air Force role.
'The Air Force has supported me every step and I want to encourage others to play, stay fit and feel strong.'
"The camaraderie aspect is really similar," she said.
"You're training almost every day, so you get to know your teammates really well, like when you're away on tasking or working closely with colleagues."
Flight Sergeant Moloney also values the community connections.
"Joining a sports team gets you out into the community," she said.
"Try AFL or any sport. Teams are welcoming, and it boosts your physical health, mental and social wellbeing.
"You talk about things other than work and meeting people like my teammates - mostly 19 to 21-year-old women - gives you different views on the world outside of Defence. I find that really interesting."
Flight Sergeant Moloney also mentors young players through school footy clinics.
"Showing kids, especially girls, what's possible is rewarding," she said.
"Female athletes weren't as visible when I was young. Now, kids see real pathways."
Flight Sergeant Moloney aims to help guide Port Adelaide to the 2025 AFLW finals while mentoring teammates.
"Our young team has huge potential," she said. "Watching them grow as athletes is exciting."
If her schedule permits, she hopes to coach the Air Force AFL team to give back.
"The Air Force has supported me every step and I want to encourage others to play, stay fit and feel strong," she said.
