The AFL is littered with moments of Irish influence. The late Jim Stynes dominating in the air, dragging an undermanned Melbourne to an elimination final win over Collingwood in 1989. Tadhg Kennelly’s jubilant jig after receiving his premiership medal with the Swans in 2005. International rules Gaelic football matches watched back in Australia at unforgiving hours.
It is the AFLW though that is taking the relationship to a whole new level. Forty-six Irish players are on current AFLW lists, and they’re no benchwarmers. Eight players have won premierships, while nine have earned All-Australian blazers in the AFLW’s 10 seasons. Geelong key forward Aishling Moloney from County Tipperary was the joint leading goalkicker of the competition in 2024, while Niamh McLaughlin became the first Irish AFL/AFLW captain when she was selected to co-lead the Suns last year.
