Why cross-coders flock to AFLW

THE STANDARD of the AFLW has never been better and right at the top of it is a strong flavor of Irish talent.

There are currently 33 Irish players listed in the AFLW (with another three inactive), ranging from long-time veterans to absolute newcomers.

Their talent was on display for all to see at the weekend, with 27 players taking to the field combining for 21 goals, including several match-winning performances.

Fresh from kicking two goals for North Melbourne on her return to the AFLW after taking last season off to focus on rugby commitments, Vikki Wall has shed some light on why so many Irish players flock to Australian shores.

“Professionalism is a big part of it, now we’re getting closer to full-time and we’re getting paid for sport, we’re not coming home for Gaelic football and we’re training at the same level, so I think that’s probably the biggest attraction is that people meet and they end up doing something full-time and you can prioritize it over other activities,” Walltold. AFL.com.au.

“Maybe if it’s 60-40, it’s football and sports that take 60% from home, it’s the other way around. I suppose just seeing how well other Irish players have done makes other Irish players want to come here.”

The newest face on the block is Greater Western Sydney’s Eilish O’Dowd.

In her first game of the competition, O’Dowd, lined up against Western Bulldogs star Alice Edmonds on the first bounce, picked up a loose ball and burst from the stop, tucking the ball under her arm as she powered through the 50m arc. . She steadied herself, shooting really well from 35 yards to give the Giants a dream start to their 2024 campaign.

It took O’Dowd just 15 seconds to make his mark on the competition.

Fremantle is the club with the most Irish talent on its roster, fast becoming a destination club for those from the Emerald Isle given the Dockers now have a five-man contingent.

Key forward Áine Tighe leads the Dockers attack and was her most disastrous against Essendon at Windy Hill, booting four majors.

Former Eagle Aisling McCarthy was also outstanding, collecting 24 disposals, 14 tackles and two goals in a dominant display. The dynamic duo, who Wall called “weapons”, were joined by Orlagh Lally, Joanne Cregg and Amy Mulholland in Lisa Webb’s team at the weekend.

Hawthorn fans love to see what Aileen Gilroy and Áine McDonagh bring to the field every time they don the maroon and gold. Gilroy booted 2.1 and gained 352m in a 16-disposal outing against Carlton at the weekend, while McDonagh bagged a pair of wickets in windy conditions right in Frankston.

McDonagh is Wall’s teammate and the North Melbourne speedster revealed the close bond the duo share, regularly catching up for coffee or lunch.

“Sometimes it’s just nice to chat,” she said.

“It’s pretty fun to watch, we definitely take the piss out of each other, when we make a blunder or forget the rules we’ll have a bit of fun, but it’s all good fun.”

Elsewhere, Brisbane winger Orla O’Dwyer is already a two-time All-Australian and is one of the best Irish players ever to grace the court, while Adelaide’s Niamh Kelly was, of also All-Australian last year and Showdown medalist.

There’s a strong Irish flavor at Casey Fields too, run by Sinead Goldrick and Blaithin Mackin. Mackin racked up 25 disposals and 1.1 starts but also collected 510m gained at the weekend against Geelong in a superb outing. Goldrick is slated for more time in the middle of the field this season as the veteran approaches the 50-game mark.

And don’t forget Geelong star Aishling Moloney, who won the AFLPA’s best first-year player award last year after an impressive debut campaign. Moloney delighted the Geelong faithful with her strong athleticism and agility in the forward half.

But of course, there are also major downsides for these players who pack up their lives to move across the globe.

“It’s definitely a massive transition and I think there’s a really wide range of age groups of Irish girls that are here, you leave friends and family behind,” Wall said.

“There’s a huge Irish situation here, but I suppose they live a very different lifestyle than you would when we come here (as professional athletes).

“But every Irish player is getting close to each other, just making sure everyone is OK because they’ve made the transition and I know it’s the first few weeks. You’re not only in a new sport, you’re on a new continent in a new place, so it definitely takes some getting used to, and even the colloquial language.

“You’re learning a lot of things at the same time, so we’re just looking out for each other and I think we’re doing a pretty good job.

“We have a few WhatsApp groups with different people, different players and a few of us went to college together and know each other from that, it’s a pretty close group.”

The Irish flair is as strong as it has ever been in the AFLW and if last weekend was anything to go by, the Irish contingent will only get bigger and more dominant.

And quietly, how good would the return of international rules be?