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Replying To Kew: "The Irish team has been limited to players who have made their debut in the AFLW, ruling out the most recent wave of recruits.
It's an unsurprisingly quick team, but concerns over a lack of height are unfounded, given the presence of Aishling Moloney, Aine McDonagh and Vikki Wall (who is a little shorter, but is yet to meet a defender she couldn't bury into the turf) in attack, and three key backs in Jen Dunne, Clara Fitzpatrick and Kayleigh Cronin.
The versatility of Orlagh Lally and Rachel Kearns will help the Irish team management, there's plenty who can rotate between half-back, wing and half-forward, while Tanya Kennedy also capable of playing as a smaller lockdown defender if needed.
Two-time North Melbourne premiership coach Darren Crocker is hot favourite to lead the Aussies, with a tailor-made Irish answer in new Sydney counterpart Colin O'Riordan.
B: Jen Dunne, Kayleigh Cronin
HB: Dayna Finn, Clara Fitzpatrick, Sinead Goldrick
C: Grace Kelly, Aisling McCarthy, Niamh Kelly
HF: Orla O'Dwyer, Aine McDonagh, Sarah Rowe
F: Vikki Wall, Aishling Moloney
Foll: Eilish O'Dowd, Erone Fitzpatrick, Niamh McLaughlin (captain)
I/C: Orlagh Lally, Blaithin Bogue, Rachel Kearns, Erika O'Shea, Neasa Dooley, Tanya Kennedy, Niamh Martin" Cora Staunton is going to be in the coaching team i believe
combo (Galway) - Posts: 39 - 08/06/2026 20:18:27
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The AFL will reportedly limit contact training from next season, as it continues to try and combat concussions.
Interesting move. One positive for the GAA is they don't have these health issues like AFL or rugby
Kew (Galway) - Posts: 363 - 24/06/2026 13:17:12
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Replying To Kew: "The AFL will reportedly limit contact training from next season, as it continues to try and combat concussions.
Interesting move. One positive for the GAA is they don't have these health issues like AFL or rugby" Gaelic football and hurling are contact sports. Rugby is a collision sport. AFL is somewhere between them.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8684 - 24/06/2026 15:05:48
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Replying To GreenandRed: "Gaelic football and hurling are contact sports. Rugby is a collision sport. AFL is somewhere between them." Of the concussion related injuries are due to the rugby tackle - Rugby are trying to combat it.
In Aussie rules, the tackler often blindsides the man with the ball, slings the player around and dumps him into the turf - that is where the concussion takes place. That tackle is banned, but the punishment isnt high. The other big source being the contest for "breaking ball" as the ball hops around all over the place and lads are diving around after it.
Rugbys tackles are generally front on - and half of them are due to poor tackling technique - player putting his head across the player in possession - asking to get knocked out. Jacob Stockdale being a prime example of a man who has reached the top of the game without being able to tackle properly - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=764505588116555 -
Rugby could easily cut out the concussions if they penalised tacking with your face - Stockdale would spend most of the match in the bin and eventually learn to tackle properly
Football is almost non contact now - so head collisions have reduced - they will likely increase as the battle for breaking ball increases. They will never be near the amount that Rugby has.
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 2011 - 25/06/2026 13:55:59
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Dozens of Australian Rules players diagnosed with CTE expose scale of AFL's brain injury crisis. Worrying times I hope GAA players thinking of a move are educated on the risks.
Kew (Galway) - Posts: 363 - 29/06/2026 14:01:26
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I think this is interesting. The AFL refused to play a NRL team because of risk of injury and player safety. But they had no problems tackling the GAA.
A proposal for a compromised rules game between the Brisbane Lions (AFL) and the Brisbane Broncos (NRL) was an idea floated in the mid-2000s.
What Happened?
The Challenge: Following the success of the AFL-GAA International Rules Series (which uses a hybrid of Gaelic football and Australian rules football), the Brisbane Broncos issued a challenge to cross-town rivals, the Brisbane Lions, to play a one-off exhibition match under a newly devised set of hybrid/compromised rules.
The Refusal: The AFL and the Brisbane Lions Ultimately turned down the match.
Why Was It Turned Down?
Player Injury & Safety Risk: The primary reason cited was player protection. Merging Rugby League's collision/tackling dynamics with the high-impact aerial contests of Australian rules created a significant risk of injury for elite professional athletes entering another sport's contact style.
Insurance & Governing Body Veto: Beyond club-level reluctance, the AFL as a governing body had strict insurance restrictions preventing contracted players from competing in high-risk exhibition events outside official AFL/International Rules frameworks.
Kew (Galway) - Posts: 363 - 22/07/2026 00:21:20
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Replying To combo: "Cora Staunton is going to be in the coaching team i believe" The game is Saturday I wonder will she bother? Can't be easy leave the celebrations
Kew (Galway) - Posts: 363 - 28/07/2026 07:05:25
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Eddie McGuire has said the AFL and GAA and in talks about transfers fee or some sort of compensation for clubs/counties for players. They are expecting more players in the future as Kobe as everyone in Australia talking. I don't think people know how big mayos win was in Australia and how big Kobe is already in AFL circles
Kew (Galway) - Posts: 363 - 29/07/2026 17:41:57
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Replying To Kew: "Eddie McGuire has said the AFL and GAA and in talks about transfers fee or some sort of compensation for clubs/counties for players. They are expecting more players in the future as Kobe as everyone in Australia talking. I don't think people know how big mayos win was in Australia and how big Kobe is already in AFL circles" https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KL8BLrAMW/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Aussie tv eulogising about Kobe - "teenage prodigy"
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 5261 - 30/07/2026 12:41:56
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Replying To Fionn: "https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KL8BLrAMW/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Aussie tv eulogising about Kobe - "teenage prodigy"" The three of them clueless about GAA sports. Like they looked up a bit of content 2 minutes on AI before they broadcast it.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8684 - 30/07/2026 15:05:28
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Replying To Kew: "I think this is interesting. The AFL refused to play a NRL team because of risk of injury and player safety. But they had no problems tackling the GAA.
A proposal for a compromised rules game between the Brisbane Lions (AFL) and the Brisbane Broncos (NRL) was an idea floated in the mid-2000s.
What Happened?
The Challenge: Following the success of the AFL-GAA International Rules Series (which uses a hybrid of Gaelic football and Australian rules football), the Brisbane Broncos issued a challenge to cross-town rivals, the Brisbane Lions, to play a one-off exhibition match under a newly devised set of hybrid/compromised rules.
The Refusal: The AFL and the Brisbane Lions Ultimately turned down the match.
Why Was It Turned Down?
Player Injury & Safety Risk: The primary reason cited was player protection. Merging Rugby League's collision/tackling dynamics with the high-impact aerial contests of Australian rules created a significant risk of injury for elite professional athletes entering another sport's contact style.
Insurance & Governing Body Veto: Beyond club-level reluctance, the AFL as a governing body had strict insurance restrictions preventing contracted players from competing in high-risk exhibition events outside official AFL/International Rules frameworks." I'd say the AFL calved about maybe losing such a game to a direct sport competitor in the NRL
ohwow (Leitrim) - Posts: 278 - 30/07/2026 19:02:20
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Replying To Kew: "Eddie McGuire has said the AFL and GAA and in talks about transfers fee or some sort of compensation for clubs/counties for players. They are expecting more players in the future as Kobe as everyone in Australia talking. I don't think people know how big mayos win was in Australia and how big Kobe is already in AFL circles" They need players for the new Tasmanian team and a proposed 20th team also.
There is a chance that Kobe may not make it there, he isn't exactly going into a competitive team, and more than likely being put into a defensive position wouldn't be exciting for an attacking player
ohwow (Leitrim) - Posts: 278 - 30/07/2026 19:04:56
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So the ladies game had 600k viewers which is a increase on last year's aflw grand final.
Kew (Galway) - Posts: 363 - 03/08/2026 18:54:05
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Replying To Kew: "Dozens of Australian Rules players diagnosed with CTE expose scale of AFL's brain injury crisis. Worrying times I hope GAA players thinking of a move are educated on the risks." I seen a clip of Aussies laughing about shouldering GAA players in the chest, and I mean full speed shouldering. Should never be allowed into Ireland. Mickey Harte said years ago it was foolish .
Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2919 - 03/08/2026 21:35:51
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THE AFL is giving serious consideration to taking the next Australia against Ireland AFLW clash to Irish shores in 2027 as it looks to build on the success of last Saturday's inaugural blockbuster.
It can be revealed that early discussions have already taken place around making the Australia v Ireland contest an annual fixture on the AFLW calendar, with the prospect of the clash being played in Ireland as early as next year also being raised.
It's one of multiple options being considered by the AFL as part of an idea to grow the Australia and Ireland contest and the AFLW brand, after the roaring success of Saturday's sell-out fixture at North Sydney Oval.
Other ideas raised have been to simply make the Australia v Ireland game an annual fixture, as well as to expand to a bigger location on Australian shores and take it to other states after the inaugural fixture was played in Sydney.
The timing of the fixture on the League's calendar would be a factor in taking the game to Ireland in 2027, after Australia coach Darren Crocker suggested this season's contest ideally should've been played earlier.
Crocker said last week: "Personally, I think the timing could be a little bit better. It could have been given to us a little bit earlier in the pre-season … when players are conditioned enough for match play."
A game in Ireland in 2027 would also open up the possibility of the match being changed to an International Rules fixture, played with a Gaelic football in front of a local crowd, after this year's event was played under Australian Rules.
The Australia and Ireland game reached more than 600,000 people in Australia through broadcaster Fox Footy, while a crowd of 9,017 supporters attended at North Sydney Oval
This year's inaugural game was part of the AFLW's long-term plan to eventually go bigger, with the Australia v Ireland fixture adding to other initiatives such as matches at larger venues and double-headers alongside men's games.
Australia soared to a comfortable victory in last Saturday's contest, with North Melbourne skipper Jas Garner winning best on ground honours as the hosts claimed a decisive 13.13 (91) to 6.5 (41) victory over Ireland.
Kew (Galway) - Posts: 363 - 04/08/2026 05:48:24
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Replying To Kew: "THE AFL is giving serious consideration to taking the next Australia against Ireland AFLW clash to Irish shores in 2027 as it looks to build on the success of last Saturday's inaugural blockbuster.
It can be revealed that early discussions have already taken place around making the Australia v Ireland contest an annual fixture on the AFLW calendar, with the prospect of the clash being played in Ireland as early as next year also being raised.
It's one of multiple options being considered by the AFL as part of an idea to grow the Australia and Ireland contest and the AFLW brand, after the roaring success of Saturday's sell-out fixture at North Sydney Oval.
Other ideas raised have been to simply make the Australia v Ireland game an annual fixture, as well as to expand to a bigger location on Australian shores and take it to other states after the inaugural fixture was played in Sydney.
The timing of the fixture on the League's calendar would be a factor in taking the game to Ireland in 2027, after Australia coach Darren Crocker suggested this season's contest ideally should've been played earlier.
Crocker said last week: "Personally, I think the timing could be a little bit better. It could have been given to us a little bit earlier in the pre-season … when players are conditioned enough for match play."
A game in Ireland in 2027 would also open up the possibility of the match being changed to an International Rules fixture, played with a Gaelic football in front of a local crowd, after this year's event was played under Australian Rules.
The Australia and Ireland game reached more than 600,000 people in Australia through broadcaster Fox Footy, while a crowd of 9,017 supporters attended at North Sydney Oval
This year's inaugural game was part of the AFLW's long-term plan to eventually go bigger, with the Australia v Ireland fixture adding to other initiatives such as matches at larger venues and double-headers alongside men's games.
Australia soared to a comfortable victory in last Saturday's contest, with North Melbourne skipper Jas Garner winning best on ground honours as the hosts claimed a decisive 13.13 (91) to 6.5 (41) victory over Ireland." 9,000 supporters? Hardly a rip roaring success? Why would the LGFA support this? Zero to be gained
Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2732 - 04/08/2026 11:14:05
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Replying To Saynothing: "I seen a clip of Aussies laughing about shouldering GAA players in the chest, and I mean full speed shouldering. Should never be allowed into Ireland. Mickey Harte said years ago it was foolish ." Mickey was absolutely spot on,
FullOfPorter (Roscommon) - Posts: 565 - 04/08/2026 13:44:44
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Five clubs chasing Irish teen after Saints swoop on young Gaelic star
Clubs are already chasing the next Irish talent as a teenager emerges as a target
CALL IT the Kobe McDonald effect.
Clubs are already chasing the next Irish talent, with a number of rivals interested in talented teenager Cian Raftery, who has emerged as a target for AFL clubs.
The Dublin Minors prospect is 16 but has already been identified as a potential AFL prospect, with Sydney, St Kilda and Melbourne among the clubs interested.
The Swans could look to bring him out to Australia for some testing in a similar way the Saints did with McDonald before he was signed by the club last year.
Tasmania and Brisbane are also among the clubs to have registered interest in Raftery.
The Swans have had success with their Irish imports over time, including premiership star Tadhg Kennelly and current AFLW coach Colin O'Riordan, while the Demons are looking to get back into the Irish market having been pioneers with the great Jim Stynes.
Meanwhile, Richmond will also head to Ireland in coming weeks for a scouting mission as the Tigers enter the space to find a category B rookie option and add to their rebuild.
Richmond recruiting boss Rhy Gieschen will travel to Ireland mid-August as the Tigers run a Combine and training session with around 20 potential prospects. Richmond has focused on the top end of the draft in recent seasons after making the call to rebuild at the draft but has an eye on bringing another category B rookie into Punt Road after signing basketballer Paddy Carr earlier this year.
Raftery has captured more attention following the buzz from McDonald, who starred in County Mayo's drought breaking All-Ireland final win last week.
The 18-year-old prodigy is considered the best young Gaelic player and has signed with the Saints and will arrive in Australia on Thursday.
He is expected to head to the club on Friday and attend St Kilda's game against Carlton on Sunday night at Marvel Stadium, with McDonald's parents also coming out to Australia with him following Mayo's historic victory last week.
McDonald, who has agreed to a three-year deal with the Saints, has become the poster boy for Ireland's fight to keep young talents out of AFL clubs' grasp, with the Gaelic Athletic Association having raised restrictions and limits on how many local players can be recruited by AFL clubs.
The athletic talent has also garnered attention across the globe, seeing his Instagram followers rise from 4000 to more than 85,000 since Mayo's triumph.
Kew (Galway) - Posts: 363 - 04/08/2026 14:02:10
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https://www.afl.com.au/news/1577008/four-clubs-chasing-irish-teen-cian-raftery-after-saints-swoop-on-young-gaelic-star-kobe-mcdonald
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8684 - 04/08/2026 14:28:32
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Not sure why it wasn't allowed through but see how this goes. Was only making the point that the Aussies are not only using the GAA/LGFA to get players but there's a good chance they will use us to grow their game here. There's also a danger it helps push the GAA towards professionalism in a bid to keep players. The GAA should not entertain resurrecting the compromise rules series under any terms. It's a pretty poor spectacle anyway and there is nothing to be gained from a GAA perspective.
FullOfPorter (Roscommon) - Posts: 565 - 05/08/2026 09:03:10
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