The AFL is pleased to confirm the selection panels for the 2026 NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland match, including the senior coaches, senior assistant coaches and chairs of selectors for each team.

Dual North Melbourne premiership coach Darren Crocker and Irish-born Sydney Swans AFLW senior coach Colin O'Riordan have been appointed to lead Australia and Ireland respectively in the historic clash at North Sydney Oval on Saturday, August 1.

Crocker played 165 games for North Melbourne between 1985 and 1998, including the club’s 1996 AFL premiership victory.

Following his playing career and a lengthy tenure as an AFL assistant coach, which included several stints as a caretaker, Crocker has established himself as one of the AFLW’s most successful coaches.

Since taking charge of North Melbourne’s AFLW side ahead of the 2021 season, Crocker has guided the Kangaroos to three consecutive Grand Final appearances, including back-to-back premierships in 2024 and 2025, as well as a record 27-game winning streak. He has also twice been voted the AFLCA AFLW Coach of the Year.

Hailing from Tipperary, O’Riordan played 34 AFL games for the Sydney Swans from 2016 to 2022 before moving into several coaching roles at the club. At the conclusion of the 2025 season, O’Riordan was appointed the Sydney Swans’ AFLW senior coach, becoming the first Irish-born senior coach in AFL/AFLW history.

Crocker will be supported by Australian Football Hall of Fame member, AFLW premiership captain and West Coast Eagles senior coach Daisy Pearce as senior assistant coach of Australia.

An inaugural star of the AFLW competition, Pearce claimed three All-Australian blazers, three club best and fairests, and a premiership across 55 games for Melbourne.

Following her retirement at the end of 2022, Pearce moved into coaching and was appointed the West Coast Eagles AFLW senior coach ahead of the 2024 season, leading the club to its maiden AFLW finals campaign in 2025.

Pearce was also named best on ground in the contest between Victoria and the Allies in 2017 – the first AFLW representative match, and the competition’s only representative fixture until the announcement of NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland earlier this month.

O'Riordan will be supported by two-time Brisbane Lions premiership coach and three-time AFLCA AFLW Coach of the Year Craig Starcevich as senior assistant coach of Ireland.

Starcevich played 177 games for Collingwood and the Brisbane Bears between 1987 and 1995 and was part of the Magpies’ 1990 AFL premiership side.

He has coached the Brisbane Lions’ AFLW side since the competition’s inception, becoming the first AFLW senior coach to reach 100 games and leading the Lions to two premierships from seven Grand Final appearances.

Australian Football Hall of Fame member Debbie Lee has been appointed chair of selectors for Australia.

Lee, who played 302 VWFL games, is a three-time premiership player, a six-time All-Australian, seven-time club champion and five-time league best and fairest medallist.

A trailblazer of women’s football, Lee also played a key role in the establishment of the AFLW competition.

Irish sporting legend Cora Staunton, the first Irish player recruited to the AFLW competition, has been appointed chair of selectors for Ireland following a decorated cross-code career spanning more than 20 years in Gaelic football and 50 AFLW games with the GWS GIANTS.

AFL Executive General Manager of AFLW, Health and Football Operations Laura Kane said the appointments highlighted the depth of coaching talent across the competition and the strong connection between AFLW and Ireland.

"We’re excited to announce such a high-calibre group to select and coach the teams for the highly anticipated NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland match,” Kane said.

“As the reigning AFLW premiership coach, it was hard to look past Darren Crocker for the opportunity to coach Australia, and his appointment is fitting recognition of the success he has achieved at North Melbourne.

"Since being appointed the club’s AFLW senior coach, Darren has built one of the competition’s benchmark teams, leading the Kangaroos to three consecutive Grand Final appearances and back-to-back premierships.

"Colin O’Riordan’s appointment to coach Ireland is equally significant. Colin has been a wonderful ambassador for Irish talent in our game and, as the first Irish-born senior coach in AFL/AFLW history, he was the natural choice to lead Ireland.

"We're also thrilled to have experienced and respected football figures such as Daisy Pearce, Craig Starcevich, Debbie Lee and Cora Staunton involved. Their achievements and leadership will ensure a fantastic experience for the players and help us further strengthen the rivalry between Australia and Ireland."

The selection panels for Australia and Ireland will meet to select players for their respective teams, based on a mix of the best available players and emerging talent.

Player announcements will begin next month as tickets for the 2026 NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland match go on sale.

Two more assistant coaches, as well as a development coach, will also be appointed for each team.

The 2026 NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland match will be played under Australian Football Rules, with a classic Sherrin football.

The match will start at 4.15pm AEST and will be broadcast exclusively live around the country on Fox Footy, Kayo Sports, Kayo Freebies and Binge.