Historic victories, goals and heavy defeats were all included in a mixed weekend for the Irish in round five of the AFLW.
Áine Tighe’s two goals secured a 26-23 win for Fremantle in the derby as they overcame Aisling McCarthy's West Coast Eagles.
ON THE BURST AINE TIGHE
Great Running GOAL from @ainetighe for @freodockersAFLW after an excellent MARK in the RAC Derby💚#AFLW #aflwomens #AWholeNewBallGame #WomenInSport #IrishWomen pic.twitter.com/PvJ5vFu4C0— AFLW Ireland (@aflw_ireland) September 22, 2022
Tighe’s six goals in five games helped the Dockers, alongside the superb Orlagh Lally and Amy Mulholland to a late derby win, despite another huge display by Aisling McCarthy, who made 17 disposals, a behind and five tackles for the Eagles.
It was a memorable weekend for two particular Irish women in Australia, as Aileen Gilroy was on the scoresheet for Hawthorn as they recorded their first ever AFLW win with a 35-31 win over the Sydney Swans.
READ HERE: Vikki Wall And Áine Tighe AFLW Goals Continue In Round 4
Gilroy made history alongside Galway’s Aine McDonagh, who will hope to build on this historic moment.
One of the best passages of play you'll see. 🔥#AFLWSwansHawks pic.twitter.com/1L0FGVxGPf
— Hawthorn FC AFLW (@hawthornaflw) September 23, 2022
Goals continued for the Irish players as Vikki Wall incredible start in Australia continued as her fourth goal of the season helped North Melbourne to a 43-28 victory over the Western Bulldogs, with Erika O’Shea making six disposals alongside Wall.
Vikki Wall just puts on the jets 🙌#AFLWDogsNorth | #AFLW pic.twitter.com/cpJfp1cbdz
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) September 23, 2022
In Melbourne, Dublin’s Sinead Goldrick made a successful comeback from injury as Melbourne easily dispatched Carlton 50-8, with Armagh’s Blaithin Mackin putting in another solid performance.
In one of the biggest upsets of the season so far, Orla O’Dwyer’s Brisbane Lions suffered a shock defeat to Richmond. The Tipperary native made five disposals and six tackles, as her side remain joint top despite the defeat.
O’Dwyer’s Tipperary team-mate Megan Ryan made her AFLW debut for Essendon alongside Joanne Doonan, but it was Sarah Rowe’s Collingwood who emerged victorious in a 28-17 victory, with Rowe making eight disposals.
There was heavy defeats for the rest of the Irish players, as Down’s Clara Fitzpatrick’s seven disposals were not enough to stop St Kilda suffering a heavy 71-21 defeat to the Geelong Cats.
While in the final fixture of this weekend, Cora Staunton and Brid Stack’s Greater Western Sydney Giants had a day to forget as the Adelaide Crows put them to the sword in a 97-1 victory, which sent them joint top of the table with Brisbane.
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