Donegal’s Amy Boyle-Carr is the torch-bearer for Ulster women in AFLW this season.
There are only two matches of the league season remaining and in her debut season, the three-time Ulster champion has made remarkable progress to establish herself as a key member of the Crows squad in their push to secure a top-four spot ahead of next month’s series.
After being rested last week, Boyle-Carr, 23, returned to the Crows matchday squad in their 13-56 thrashing of Collingwood at Victoria Park in Melbourne on Sunday.
The Crows in fourth are level on points with the Richmond Tigers and Fremantle Dockers in fifth and sixth respectively which underscores that there is no margin for error in the race for a double chance of winning the premiership in December.
Boyle-Carr, who started on the interchange bench, finished with nine disposals (5 kicks & 4 handballs), three tackles, and one behind.
“Amy’s got some great speed, and she was fresh coming in and after the team has played four games in 14 days, it’s always good to bring a fresh player in,” Adelaide Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper said.
On Saturday, the Fremantle Dockers ended a run of two consecutive defeats by notching their seventh consecutive derby victory 12-35 over local rivals the West Coast Eagles at Sullivan Logistics Stadium in Perth.
Forkhill woman Amy Mulholland collected 5 disposals (3 kicks & 2 handballs), 2 marks, and three tackles in the Dockers forward line.
Also, on Saturday Shane O’Neills and Armagh footballer Blaithin Mackin returned to the Melbourne Demons side after missing the past three matches with a calf injury.
The in-form Demons made it four wins on the bounce after defeating Richmond 51-38 at Casey Fields in Melbourne.
The younger Mackin sister collected 7 disposals (6 kicks & 1 handball), 1 mark, and 3 tackles in midfield.
The Demons in ninth are level on points with Essendon in eighth and Port Adelaide in seventh. They will have to win both of their remaining matches and hope that other results go their way to leapfrog one of those teams into top eight.
Elsewhere, the Gold Coast Suns won their first game of the season after defeating the Sydney Swans (46-50) in a four-point thriller at Henson Park in Sydney on Saturday.
The Suns who have been the biggest disappointment in the competition this year could avoid winning the wooden spoon if they hold their nerve in the final fortnight of the league season.
Down defender Clara Fitzpatrick finished with 10 disposals (5 kicks & 5 handballs) 3 marks and 3 tackles.
Former Donegal captain Niamh McLaughlin was suspended for rough contact in the Queensland Derby against the Brisbane Lions last week.
