With the 83rd pick of this year's AFLW draft, the Fremantle Dockers selected former Armagh footballer Amy Mulholland.
The 29-year-old's journey to joining the ranks of Irish players in the AFLW has less direct than most. Mulholland, who played at inter-county level for Armagh, moved to Perth from Ireland two years for what the club calls "non-football reasons".
A small forward that can make a serious impact. Welcome to Freo Amy Mulholland 🤝 #foreverfreo #AFLWDraft pic.twitter.com/Sv0CCzZRnN
— Fremantle Dockers AFLW (@freodockersAFLW) June 29, 2022
Fremantle 'excited' to see what Mulholland can do in AFLW
Last year, playing as a small forward, she kicked 48 goals in 12 games for the Wembley Amateurs. This season was interrupted by injury as she moved up to WAFLW level with Subiaco.
She becomes the second Armagh player, along with Blaithin Mackin who will play for Melbourne, to sign for an AFLW side ahead of the new season which gets underway in August. The club believe that she could make "an immediate impact at AFLW level".
2 April 2017; Amy Mulholland of Armagh during the Lidl Ladies Football National League Round 7 match between Monaghan and Armagh at St. Tiernach's Park in Clones, Co Monaghan. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
"Amy had a really good season in the amateurs last year," explained Fremantle coach Trent Cooper.
"This year she tried her hand with Subiaco and played some really good games but had limited opportunity due to injury.
"We’re really excited about what she can do. She’s really strong on both sides of her body and can hit the scoreboard."
The moment of her selection was one that Mulholland could not quite believe. It was captured by West Coast Eagles AFLW player, and Tipperary native, Aisling McCarthy.
Unreal!!! I’m not crying, you are😭🥰 @freodockersAFLW you have a gem!!! Let the banter begin 👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/rJtlZ3OizP
— Aisling McCarthy (@aish_mac) June 29, 2022
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