Ireland's Kelly sisters cross the globe for 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to play in the AFLW

When Grace and Niamh Kelly begin their annual travel to Perth for the AFLW season, they know it will involve hours on planes, weeks in hotel quarantine, and months away from their family and friends.

However, for West Coast's Irish stars, coming back to Australia every year is a no-brainer.

«We know [playing in the AFLW] is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,» Grace said.

«We're lucky that we can get back to Ireland because we know people here from Ireland that live in Perth. They haven't seen their families in, like, three [or] four years.»

The Kellys are playing in their third season with the Eagles, but this year there was some trepidation about leaving Ireland to return to Australia.

«There were a lot of challenges,» Grace said.

«We've been trying to get our boyfriends out, actually, the last two years. So, unfortunately, they can't come out due to the pandemic.

»That was probably the major obstacle. We were leaving them for another six months, which is, you know, it is harsh, and our family as well."

The 2022 AFLW season has already been disrupted by the pandemic, with the Eagles' opening match of the season played against Fremantle, instead of Brisbane.

And the club is now on the road, living out of suitcases in hotels, which is something the Kellys are used to.

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«I'm really looking forward to it,» Niamh said.

«For us, coming from Ireland, we're not saying goodbye to family and friends here, whereas girls are leaving work and leaving family and friends.

»It's probably a little bit more difficult for [them]."

The pair have already been tapped for tips on keeping occupied while sitting in hotel rooms