Australia selects AFLW squad for Ireland match, led by North Melbourne and Demons players
Australia announced a 25‑player AFLW squad to face Ireland in an inaugural international clash on August 1 at North Sydney Oval. The North Melbourne Kangaroos, winners of the last two AFLW premierships, contribute the most players with five, including best‑and‑fairest Ash Riddell, Jasmine Garner, Emma Kearney, Libby Birch and Tahlia Randall. The Melbourne Demons add four representatives, among them Kate Hore.
The squad also features athletes from 13 of the 18 AFLW clubs, with the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Gold Coast and GWS the only clubs without a selection. Dual premiership coach Darren Crocker will lead the side, saying, "We're excited by the group of players… selecting just 25 players was an enormous challenge given the depth of talent across the competition." The match will showcase the growth of women's Australian rules football on an international stage.
The full Australian roster includes players such as Chelsea Biddell, Maeve Chaplin, Monique Conti, Sophie Conway, Harriet Cordner, Zippy Fish, Maddison Gay, Tyla Hanks, Courtney Hodder, Emma Kearney, Ebony Marinoff, Ellie McKenzie, Chloe Molloy, Georgie Prespakis, Ella Roberts, Matilda Scholz, Tyanna Smith, Mim Strom and Charlie Thomas.