ON ANOTHER BUSY round of matches Down Under, Mayo Sister Act Grace and Niamh Kelly were one of the stories of the weekend as they helped their side to a first-ever Australian Football League Women’s [AFLW] victory.
West Coast Eagles are a new team contesting their first season in the league, and they stunned 2018 champions Western Bulldogs with an historic win.
After losses to Collingwood, Fremantle and Greater Western Sydney [GWS] Giants, West Coast looked much-improved this time out and it was Grace, the older of the Kelly sisters, who ultimately sealed the triumph with her first AFLW goal.
On top of that, the Moy Davitts star racked up 14 disposals including 10 kicks and four handballs, and made four marks and three tackles at the Leederville Oval.
Niamh also produced her finest display in Oz to date as accounted for 16 disposals.
Huge Congrats to @grace_kelly94 & @NiamhK090 & all at @WestCoastEagles on a historic first ever @aflwomens win in a cracking game against @BulldogsW.
— AFL Ireland Womens (@AFLIrelandWomen) February 29, 2020
And a first AFLW Goal for Grace as well 💪 @Mayo_LGFA @LadiesFootball @Irish_Banshees pic.twitter.com/5IOVpGiQ1g
Tipperary All-Ireland winner Aisling McCarthy was on the losing side in the tight scrap, though she impressed once again in her second season with the Bulldogs, while Donegal defender Katy Herron also lined out.
Elsewhere, Clare’s Ailish Considine kicked a brilliant Gaelic football-style goal for Adelaide Crows, though the defending champions were shocked by Carlton in a rematch of last season’s Grand Final.
The Blues have Fermanagh captain Joanne Doonan in their ranks, though she was not selected for round four. They won by eight points, and were led by Tayla Harris’ goals, as Adelaide’s star player Erin Phillips made her highly-anticipated return from a cruciate injury.
Gaelic style from @duckyc7 🍀🍀 #weflyasone #crowsaflw pic.twitter.com/WZDbwh9bhM
— Adelaide Crows AFLW (@CrowsAFLW) March 1, 2020
Louth All-Ireland winning captain Kate Flood helped Fremantle continue their perfect start to Conference B as they bagged their fourth win from four against St Kilda.
Freo — who also have Leitrim forward Áine Tighe under contract though she was ruled out with a knee injury before the season kicked off — are the only team who have won all of their games to this point, though they just scraped over the line against St Kilda.
It was Flood who saved the day with 90 seconds left on the clock, as she capitalised on a mistake and kicked her first AFLW goal to level matters before Gemma Houghton added a behind.
Down’s Clara Fitzpatrick again impressed for the losing side — who are in their first season — as she produced an outstanding defensive display, including 13 disposals, upon her return to the Saints fold after a concussion injury.
And Tipperary dual star Orla O’Dwyer’s unbeaten Brisbane Lions went top of Conference A after a big win over GWS Giants. The Lions were 7.9 (51) to 3.5 (23) winners at Hickey Park, as Cora Staunton (Mayo) and Yvonne Bonner’s (Donegal) side suffered a comprehensive defeat. Bonner did kick a goal, though.
Meanwhile, Mayo midfielder Aileen Gilroy was central in North Melbourne’s win over Gold Coast. She gave a typically string running performance from half-back and accumulated a total of 14 disposals.
The Kangaroos — where Galway’s Mairead Seoighe is also on the books, though she’s yet to make her debut — were 13-point winners as they made it three wins from four.
In the Friday night game, Mayo star Sarah Rowe kicked two goals for Collingwood though Melbourne FC came out on top by 20 points in the double-header in aid of bushfire relief.
Dublin duo Sinéad Goldrick and Niamh McEvoy lined out for the Dees, while Cavan forward Aishling Sheridan starred along Rowe at Marvel Stadium.
18 Irish players in total are on lists Down Under for the 2020 season.
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