Irish trio selected in AFLW draft

Ireland's growing influence on the AFLW continued as three Irish players were selected in the 2023 season eight supplementary draft.

A total of 529 players were nominated for the draft, with 26 players in all snapped up by clubs.

Included in that selection were Donegal’s Yvonne Bonner, Tyrone’s Cara McCrossan and Roscommon’s Joanne Cregg.

Bonner, who had previously represented the GWS Giants, was picked up by the Adelaide Crows in the final draft of the night.

Bonner made her AFLW debut in 2019, kicking an average of almost a goal per game, before an ankle injury ended her 2020 season after only four games. She later returned to Ireland due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Yvonne has the capacity to have an immediate impact and can help make us better this season," Adelaide head of women’s football Phil Harper told the Adelaide website.

McCrossan was signed by Gold Coast in the sixth overall pick of the night.

The former Red Hand player had a huge impact in her debut campaign during the 2022 VFLW season, playing 15 games to help steer the Casey Demons into the preliminary final.

The 28-year-old joins Down’s Clara Fitzpatrick and Donegal’s Niamh McLaughlin on the Suns’ list.

Cregg also makes the leap from the VFLW having joined Freemantle from Subiaco.

Dockers senior coach Lisa Webb told the club website that Cregg has plenty of upside as she transitions to Australian rules football.

"What I noticed about her was her toughness at the stoppage," Web said.

"You barely see her walking and she is constantly moving at the stoppage, whether that is receiving a tap off the ruck or whether that is covering the ground to get back and help or get forward and kick a goal.

"She has got good awareness, she has got good use of her feet and has that