In the shadows of halftime at Olympic Park Oval on Friday, Molloy sharked a throw-in inside Collingwood's attacking 50, zigzagged her way past two would-be tacklers, sold some delicious candy and finished expertly with the outside of her magical boot.
Her moment of brilliance gave the Magpies the lead, which they would never again relinquish as they held the Bombers goalless after halftime to prevail 4.4 (28) to 2.5 (17).
"She sensed the moment, got on to the ball and just when everyone seems to panic, she just seems like she's got time and poise," Symonds said.
"Everyone fell off her at the right time, suddenly the game opens up for her and she takes her opportunity.
"That's what the good players do - they sense the moment and make things look easier than what everyone else can do."
Collingwood move to second spot on the ladder with the win, withstanding a masterclass from Maddy Prespakis (31 disposals, 17 contested possessions, five clearances), who was back to her brilliant best.
Prespakis's head-to-head battle with Mikala Cann (20 disposals, seven clearances, nine tackles) was a feature, while Ash Brazill was influential early for the Pies.
The Bombers' ball movement was superior initially but they were unable to adequately capitalise on their territorial dominance.
Collingwood opted for an ill-advised dry-weather method in the slippery conditions but they changed that up in the second term, out-tackling Essendon and getting on top at the clearances.
Prespakis, uncharacteristically quiet last week against West Coast, goaled midway through the quarter and gave the Bombers the lead before Molloy's stunning goal energised the home side.
The Magpies were seldom threatened from that point onwards, Essendon's prospects dimmed by defender Elise Gamble's calf injury.
Prespakis continued to prosper, despite Cann's attempts to fashion a tighter rein, and the Bombers had numerous more inside-50s, but Collingwood, with Eliza James conjuring back-to-back goals either side of three-quarter-time, were more efficient.
Essendon coach Natalie Wood enjoyed the Prespakis-Cann contest but will be plotting ways to administer her star playmaker more midfield support.
"It was a good battle. They're both such terrific young players," Wood said.
"Both of them play with their heart and soul out there.
"Maddy does a great job for us in the midfield.
"I've just got to work out some ways to get her a bit more support in there.
"I feel like she's winning a lot of the football but we're not collecting enough numbers through the midfield to get (her) that support."
