Molly Kennedy is officially a Victorian Netball League player.
She’s also a lot more: a gem inside Tatura’s defensive end, a former Murray Bushrangers jet and a bona-fide talent at everything she turns her gifted hands to.
But late last month, the 19-year-old formally introduced herself to the state’s top flight netball tier, debuting for City West Falcons’ Championship side against Boroondara Express in round five of the competition.
It happened so quickly she could hardly believe it.
“It was definitely a weird feeling; they’re all so good, so I was really nervous,” she said.
“I see them play on TV, half of them play for Collingwood, so it’s awesome being able to play alongside them.
“Even playing against players like that as well, it’s just such a cool experience – I can’t even explain how good it feels ... but I felt like I had to step up to play at their standard.”
It was somewhat of a sliding doors moment within the Falcons camp which led to Kennedy’s debut.
With the trio of Lucia Fauonuku, Uneeq Palavi and Beyonce Palavi called up for Tongan national team duties, the Shepparton teen, who was named as a Falcons emergency at the start of the season, was given her break against the Express on April 21.
Shaking off the nerves in the warm up, Kennedy was given the perfect chance to settle in as she entered the fold during the second quarter.
The malleable defender’s first involvement in wing defence saw her pluck a stray pass from a Boroondara player on the intercept ― a real confidence booster for the teen.
But when reintroduced at centre in the third quarter, although she didn’t show it, the nerves began seeping back in.
“That was scary because I’m a real defensive player – that’s my mindset and centre’s a scary sort of position for me,” she said.
“But they made me feel comfortable, they talked me through it all.
“Considering I’ve never really played with them before and I don’t fully know their structures, they still made it flow just by talking me through the whole experience.”
Kennedy needn’t have worried, her performance helping the Falcons through to a 76-56 victory.
She has since featured in the side’s 47-goal thumping of Ariels and 73-51 result over Melbourne University Lightning on Wednesday night, and the Falcons now top the VNL ladder seven games into the season.
Netball – and winning – seem to go hand in hand in Kennedy’s world, but she had a serious decision to make at the start of the season.
She’d spent last year on the books of Port Melbourne’s VFLW side, also lining up in defence for Murray Bushrangers and Shepparton United on the football field in between taking to the court for Tatura.
However, it’s safe to say her gamble to put all of the chips on netball has paid off.
“I was trying to do both (footy and netball), and I’ve been doing both for a while, but this year they collided because they trained and played on the same day, so I had to make a decision,” she said.
“Just because I’ve played netball forever, it comes more natural to me.
“I think I enjoy it a bit more than playing footy because I understand it more and can pick it up easier.
“Whereas footy; it’s not too hard, but I think I like netball more.”
Kennedy’s netball timeline goes back to her early school days, where she first found her feet playing for Notre Dame.
She spent a number of years at Shepparton United, impressing during her junior years and was fit to make her A-grade debut in 2020 – but in a cruel twist, COVID-19 struck.
She’d play one season for the Demons in A-grade the year after before switching factions to Tatura last season and now is a part of a Bulldogs side holding a perfect 4-0 record in a breakout start to the Goulburn Valley League campaign.
“I love Tat, it’s such a good club and I love all the girls,” she said.
“We recruited a few, so we have somewhat of a new team, and they’ve just slotted in so well.
“We all get along, we all love playing with each other and we’ve had a good run so far – hopefully it keeps going.”
The ball is well and truly in Kennedy’s court when it comes to her sporting future.
If Tatura and City West’s current trajectory continue, she could well have two premierships to her name come September.
But for now, it’s about getting mileage into the legs, locking down whatever circle she’s thrown into and keeping those gifted hands busy.
“Next year I’m not sure whether I’ll go back to footy or stay with netball or not,” she said.
“I’ll keep working to get as much game time as I can (with the Falcons), but obviously they’ve got their players that made the team and things like that.
“I’ll keep training and just hope I can get on the court a bit more.”