THE AFL has today unveiled the first group of players selected for the 2026 NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland match, as tickets for the historic clash go on sale this Wednesday, 24 June.

Reigning AFLW Best and Fairest and dual North Melbourne premiership player Ash Riddell headlines the first eight players named to represent Australia at North Sydney Oval on Saturday, 1 August.

Riddell will be joined by some of the competition’s most decorated stars, including North Melbourne teammate Jasmine Garner, Melbourne's Kate Hore, Richmond's Monique Conti, the Brisbane Lions' Courtney Hodder, alongside young guns Georgie Prespakis (Geelong Cats), Matilda Scholz (Port Adelaide) and Zippy Fish (Sydney Swans).

Among the first eight players named to represent Ireland is dual Brisbane Lions premiership player Orla O'Dwyer, who became the first Irish AFLW player to earn All-Australian honours in 2022.

O'Dwyer will be joined by fellow All-Australians Aine McDonagh (Hawthorn), Aisling McCarthy (Fremantle), Aishling Moloney (Geelong Cats), Dayna Finn (Carlton) and Niamh Kelly (Adelaide Crows), as well as the hard-running Sarah Rowe (Collingwood) and Erika O'Shea (North Melbourne).

Australian senior coach Darren Crocker said:

"We're excited to announce the first group of players selected to represent Australia, featuring some of the competition's biggest stars and emerging talent.

"Together, this group includes 26 All-Australian selections, eight AFLW premierships, two league best and fairest awards and two Rising Star awards – a reflection of the calibre of players chosen so far.

"We can't wait to bring the rest of the squad together and preparing for what promises to be a fantastic occasion."

Irish senior coach Colin O’Riordan said:

“This first group of players selected includes some of the most accomplished Irish players to have played AFLW.

"There is a real sense of excitement among the playing group and the wider Irish community for this match. It’s a chance to celebrate the contribution Irish players have made – and continue to make – to AFLW and showcase the unique skills and flair they bring to the competition.

“There's no doubt these players will represent Ireland with great pride and help deliver an entertaining contest."

The remaining players set to represent Australia and Ireland will be announced in the coming days, with tickets for the match on sale from Wednesday, 24 June via Ticketmaster.

Club and AFL members will have access from 10am AEST, before the general public at 12pm AEST.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for youth (aged 15 – 17), $5 for children (14 and under), while a family of four can attend for $50.

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

Australia

Monique Conti
AFLW Club: Richmond
State: Victoria

Zippy Fish
AFLW Club: Sydney Swans
State: Western Australia

Jasmine Garner
AFLW Club: North Melbourne
State: Victoria

Courtney Hodder
AFLW Club: Brisbane Lions
State: Western Australia

Kate Hore
AFLW Club: Melbourne
State: Victoria

Georgie Prespakis
AFLW Club: Geelong Cats
State: Victoria

Ash Riddell
AFLW Club: North Melbourne
State: Victoria

Matilda Scholz
AFLW Club: Port Adelaide
State: South Australia

Ireland

Dayna Finn
AFLW Club: Carlton
County: Mayo

Niamh Kelly
AFLW Club: Adelaide Crows
County: Mayo

Aisling McCarthy
AFLW Club: Fremantle
County: Tipperary

Aine McDonagh
AFLW Club: Hawthorn
County: Galway

Aishling Moloney
AFLW Club: Geelong Cats
County: Tipperary

Orla O'Dwyer
AFLW Club: Brisbane Lions
County: Tipperary

Erika O'Shea
AFLW Club: North Melbourne
County: Cork

Sarah Rowe
AFLW Club: Collingwood
County: Mayo