Irish goals were plenty in the last round of the AFLW as several Irish players secured their place in the AFLW final’s series.
Blaithin Mackin scored her first goal for Melbourne as they demolished the West Coast Eagles 79-1. Melbourne’s huge 78 point win wasn’t enough to jump above Brisbane in the table, as they finished the league season in second place.
The Irish Demon scores her first goal ☘️#AFLW | #AFLWDeesEagles pic.twitter.com/NSn3K75rzp
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 29, 2022
They will face Adelaide Crows next weekend in the finals series, who battled to a hard fought 29-13 win over St Kilda, with Niamh Kelly putting in another top performance to help her side survive a huge scare.
It will be Brisbane who finish the regular season top of the league as they defeated Collingwood 55-10 to secure top spot on points percentage.
Orla O’Dwyer scored a behind and made 11 disposals for Brisbane, while Sarah Rowe scored a behind for Collingwood as they finish sixth in the table, and will face the Western Bulldogs next weekend.
The final game in the finals series next weekend will see Geelong Cats take on North Melbourne. Vikki Wall’s North Melbourne side drew 27-27 with Richmond to finish eight in he table.
For Geelong, Rachel Kearns goal helped them to an emphatic 102-27 victory over the Sydney Swans as they finished fifth.
FIRES ON GOAL @Raachkearns has SCORED her FIRST GOAL of the Season for @catswomens against Sydney Swans in Round 10💚#AFLW #aflwomens #AWholeNewBallGame #WomenInSport #IrishWomen pic.twitter.com/D90l1BXLyX
— AFLW Ireland (@aflw_ireland) October 29, 2022
Outside of the playoffs, Irish goals were flowing as Áine Tighe produced one of the best Irish performances in AFLW history as Tighe scored four goals Fremantle defeated Hawthorn 49-44 in a thrilling contest.
AINE TIGHE ERUPTS @ainetighe has produced one of the best individual performances ever by an ☘️IRISH AFLW PLAYER☘️ in Round 10 including 4 GOALS
Just SENSATIONAL 🙌
SIT BACK. RELAX. AND ENJOY THE AINE TIGHE SHOW 💪⚓️#AFLW #aflwomens pic.twitter.com/1ohUXZsFiL— AFLW Ireland (@aflw_ireland) October 29, 2022
Remarkably, Tighe’s goals were not the only Irish goals in the game as Aine McDonagh and Aileen Gilroy also scored goals for Hawthorn.
ANOTHER ONE TO THE TALLY
In an incredible game that saw ☘️3 IRISH PLAYERS☘️ (incl 2 Áine’s) kick 6 GOALS between them @ainemcd8 also got in on the scoring in @hawthornaflw v Fremantle💚
A great goal under pressure 💪
AWESOME AINE #AFLW #aflwomens #aflwireland5#WomenInSport pic.twitter.com/4qROtfWP5X— AFLW Ireland (@aflw_ireland) October 29, 2022
While the Irish trio won’t feature in the finals series, they are players to watch next season after a hugely successful season.
History was made as Cora Staunton scored a brilliant long range goal in her 50th AFLW game as the Great Western Sydney Giants defeated the Gold Coast Suns 44-32.
Cora from outside 50 in game 50!#AFLW | #AFLWGiantsSuns pic.twitter.com/H37OxdIdkD
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 30, 2022
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19 August 2018; Limerick manager John Kiely is the centre of celebrations after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Galway and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
