DUBLIN 2019 ALL-STAR forward Niamh McEvoy is in line for her Aussie Rules debut for Melbourne FC this weekend, after missing round one through illness.
The four-time All-Ireland champion joins fellow Dubliner Sinéad Goldrick in the Dees team to face 2018 champions Western Bulldogs.
Seven-time All-Star defender Goldrick enjoyed a winning debut against North Melbourne in the side’s opener, and McEvoy’s introduction comes as the Melbourne’s sole change for Friday night’s clash.
The 29-year-old St Sylvester’s sharpshooter “was unavailable due to illness last week,” but is now preparing for her first game of competitive Australian Football League Women’s [AFLW] action.
McEvoy takes her place on the interchange bench, while Goldrick is retained in the half back line after an impressive showing.
Tipperary’s Aisling McCarthy and Donegal Katy Herron both start for the Bulldogs at VU Whitten Oval under Friday Night Lights, while there’s plenty more Irish talent on show throughout the weekend.
16 of the 18 Irish players on the books Down Under have been selected for round two, and will taste action this weekend after 10 debuted last time out.
Friday, 14 February
Western Bulldogs v Melbourne FC, Whitten Oval
Western Bulldogs
Foll: Aisling McCarthy (Tipperary)
HB: Katy Herron (Donegal)
Melbourne
HB: Sinéad Goldrick (Dublin)
I/C: Niamh McEvoy (Dublin)
Saturday, 15 February
North Melbourne v GWS Giants, University of Tasmania Stadium
North Melbourne
HB: Aileen Gilroy (Mayo)
Mairéad Seoighe (Galway) — no involvement again
GWS Giants
HF: Cora Staunton (Mayo)
I/C: Yvonne Bonner (Donegal)
West Coast v Fremantle, Optus Stadium
West Coast
C: Niamh Kelly (Mayo)
F: Grace Kelly (Mayo)
Fremantle
I/C: Kate Flood (Louth)
Áine Tighe (Leitrim) — out injured for the season
Gold Coast v Richmond, Metricon Stadium
No Irish involvement
Sunday, 16 February
Geelong Cats v Brisbane Lions, Kardinia Park/GMHBA Stadium
Brisbane
I/C: Orla O’Dwyer (Tipperary)
Carlton v Collingwood, Princes Park
Carlton
F: Joanne Doonan (Fermanagh)
Collingwood
C: Sarah Rowe (Mayo)
Foll: Aishling Sheridan (Cavan)
Adelaide Crows v St Kilda, Richmond Oval
Adelaide
I/C: Ailish Considine (Clare)
St Kilda
B: Clara Fitzpatrick (Down)
Catch up on last weekend’s action:
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More winning debuts, goals and county teammates going head-to-head on AFLW opening weekend
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Dream debut as Tipp’s Orla O’Dwyer scores with her first touch in AFLW
- You can watch games on the AFLW app, while some of them are also streamed live on AFL.com.au, womens.afl or on the club’s Facebook pages. 7Plus and FOX FOOTY in Australia also show matches. Keep up to date with the 2020 AFLW season on The42, CrossCoders and on AFL Ireland’s social channels.
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