The AFL is planning to stage the first women’s International Rules Series match in history between Australia and Ireland in Adelaide next year.
There a currently 33 Irish women recruited to play in AFLW this year when the new season gets underway at the end of August, which has also opened the door to the intriguing possibility of an AFL match featuring a team of Irish AFLW players being played instead of the hybrid game.
The stunning new developments were confirmed by respected Australian television journalist Mitch Cleary who features as part of host broadcaster Channel 7′s AFL coverage.
“The AFL is exploring an Australia vs Ireland women’s match to be played in Adelaide during ‘Gather Round’ in 2025,” Clearly explained on Channel 7′s weekly Tv show called Talking Footy TV yesterday.
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“A women’s match between an Australian contingent and an Ireland contingent is being eyed off.
“Erin Phillips (retired AFLW legend) now working at the AFL has been a big driver in this, which could potentially be a hybrid game, or it could be an Australian rules match given there are 33 Irish players in AFLW right now.
“The AFL has been really strong on bringing a women’s match to complement the nine men’s AFL matches played.”
And Cleary added: “Watch this space for news of International Rules series returning for women, in next year’s Gather Round.”
The Gather Round concept has been hugely successful for the AFL and for South Australia since its inception in 2023.
The nine men’s matches are played across South Australia including regional grounds with temporary grandstands and changing rooms.
The prospect of an international series in either a hybrid form or as an AFL game is certain to attract enormous interest.
Yesterday, it was reported that the AFL is also working on a return of the men’s International Rules series which has not been played since 2017.
The AFL is considering an Olympic style format which would involve the series only being played every four years in each country.
Reports in Australia suggest the possibility of a compromise rules series comeback is some time away and would inevitably require the full endorsement of the GAA which may not be straight forward.
Last year former GAA president Liam McCarthy poured cold water on the practicality of the International Rules Series returning given there are no obvious time slots in the GAA’s new split-season.
