It was a weekend of mixed results for Irish players in the AFLW, with many Irish players facing each other in crucial games across the league as the battle for the knockout stages heats up in Australia.
Orlagh O’Dwyer’s Brisbane Lions took a big step towards a top two finish as they defeated North Melbourne 33-26, who featured Vicki Wall and Erika O’Shea.
Wall scored her seventh AFLW goal of the season, but other missed chances cost North Melbourne in a game they will feel like they should have won.
THIS IS HOW YOU KICK IT THROUGH THE BIG STICKS @vikki_wall has SCORED a GOAL from a mark for @NorthMelbourneW against the Lions in Round 7💚#AFLW #aflwomens #AWholeNewBallGame #WomenInSport #IrishWomen pic.twitter.com/qE1XnbDTs7
— AFLW Ireland (@aflw_ireland) October 8, 2022
While O’Dwyer’s great season continued with 14 disposals and 10 kicks. They face second placed Adelaide in a huge clash next weekend.
Aileen Gilroy and Áine McDonagh continued Hawthorn’s resurgence as they ran out 29-16 winners over Port Adelaide.
Gilroy and McDonagh combined for a crucial goal in the third quarter, while Gilroy also made 12 disposals as the duo continue to impress for Hawthorn who have their third straight victory.
IRISH HAWKS COMBINE
A brilliant GOAL scored by @ainemcd8 after a big delivery in from @AileenGilroy to push @hawthornaflw out in front in their Round 7 clash with Port Adelaide 💚
Unreal Aine 🙌#AFLW #aflwomens #aflwireland5#AWholeNewBallGame #WomenInSport #IrishWomen pic.twitter.com/5mXpPIcBOy— AFLW Ireland (@aflw_ireland) October 8, 2022
Aine Tighe, Orlagh Lally and Amy Mulholland all put in strong performances for Fremantle, but it wasn’t enough against table toppers Adelaide Crows as they won 49-31.
Another player who is in top form this season is Aisling McCarthy, but the Tipperary native was also on the losing side the Richmond Tigers defeated the West Coast Eagles 43-24.
READ HERE: AFLW Round Up: Rowe And McDonagh Score Crucial Goals In Round Six
McCarthy led the charge for the Eagles with 16 disposals and two marks, but it wasn’t enough as Richmond pulled away in the last quarter.
As the race for the knockout stages continues to heat up, Sinead Goldrick was crucial for Melbourne as they defeated the Western Bulldogs 73-9.
The Dublin native made nine disposals and six interceptions as Melbourne strengthened their chances of a top four finish.
They are level on points with Collingwood, who defeated Greater Western Sydney 46-14, with Sarah Rowe among the goals.
With three rounds left, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Collingwood are all level on points in what’s sure to be an exciting finish.
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