Armagh vice-captain Lauren McConville is in line to make her AFLW debut for the Gold Coast Suns in their Round Three showdown against Saint Kilda on Saturday.
The winless Suns need a win to maintain their finals hopes given there are only eight rounds of the season remaining before finals.
McConville was named as an emergency player in the opening rounds of the season which underscores her rapid progress as she only arrived in Australia in July for to begin pre-season training.
Gold Coast Head Coach Cameron Joyce believes the Crossmaglen star (29) could make a significant impact for the Suns this year.
“We’ve been impressed by how well Lauren has adapted since arriving on the Gold Coast and it’s great to be able to give her the opportunity to make her AFLW debut,” Joyce said.
“Her last couple of weeks playing in match scrimmages have been impressive.
“The exciting bit for us now is to watch her go to work, utilise her speed, create some chaos and bring what she does really well back home in Ireland to our game here.”
The Suns will finalise their side tomorrow and if McConville, niece of Armagh legend Oisin McConville, is included she will play alongside former Donegal skipper Niamh McLaughlin and Down defender Clara Fitzpatrick. Tyrone’s Cara McCrossan is the fourth Irish player on the Suns playing list.
In 2019 McConville spent a season at the South Warrnambool Roosters women’s team in country Victoria, when she won the side’s best and fairest player award.