The former AFL midfielder, who will make his first Hampden league appearance in 16 years on Saturday, remembers watching the likes of Shorty Anderson and Terry Beks run around for the Roosters at Friendly Societies’ Park.

Moloney, now 33 and three years removed from a top-level career which netted 166 games, is excited to now call their sons Paddy and Shannon teammates.

“A lot of the guys who are playing now – their dads were my heroes as a kid because they were the guys I’d watch every week,” he said.

“It’s been nearly 16, 17 years since I’ve pulled on a South jumper and I am really excited to be here and look forward to the next couple of months.”

Moloney will also play with those he grew up alongside, including Scott Maddern and Tom White, when the Roosters meet Terang Mortlake on Saturday.

“Scotty Maddern is one of my best mates,” he said.

“We went to school together and I was in his wedding.”

Moloney said he wanted to give back to the club which propelled his career.

The former Geelong, Melbourne and Brisbane ball winner said it was exciting to see the Roosters’ legacy of promoting talent continuing. 

“For me, getting senior experience at that age was so important for me going forward and really helped me at TAC Cup level,” he said. 

“South have always been a club to reward juniors who are playing well in the lower grades. I can’t thank them enough for giving me that opportunity.”

Moloney has relocated from Brisbane to Melbourne where he will start a player management venture with former Richmond and Brisbane defender Luke McGuane. He hopes to train with the Roosters once a week.

“Changing jobs and changing states, there’s no better place to come than South Warrnambool,” he said. “It’s just great to see what (coach) Bucky (Mat Buck) has done over the last couple of years and with the list they’ve put together, it’s an exciting time.”