Just ten days out from the start of the 2024 AFLW season, Blaithin Bogue has hit the ground running on the training track and made a strong impression on her North Melbourne Kangaroos coaches.
The Fermanagh star, who was memorably serenaded to some hilarious carpool karaoke from new Irish AFLW teammates Erika O’Shea and Niamh Martin, and Australia Ella Slocombe on her arrival on August 11, has proved she is a quick learner and is doing everything possible to earn her AFLW debut away to reigning premiers, the Brisbane Lions, in a 2023 Grand Final rematch on Sunday week.
“Blaithin has strong athletic traits that will translate well to AFLW and stood out across her performances for Fermanagh, with her ability to set up play in the forward half and consistently hit the scoreboard,” North Melbourne AFLW list manager Flynn Loft said.
The Tempo Maguires woman, who signed a two-year contract for last year’s Grand Final runners-up, could earn big bucks if she decides to remain in AFLW.
Last year AFLW players received a 29 per cent pay rise, which resulted in a pay rise to $AUD60,000 (£31,000) up from $AUD46,000 (£23,800). AFLW players’ salaries will rise to $AUD82,000 (£42,400) by 2027. This translates to total AFLW total player payments of over $AUD32.3million (£16.7million).
There are around three dozen Irish women on the books of AFLW clubs this year, which is a record, but there are no guarantees that the status quo will remain in the future. New AFLW general manager Emma Moore recently stated that her immediate priority is to establish a concrete date for AFLW seasons from next year. The current schedule runs from August to November with last year’s Grand Final in early December.
Irish AFLW players have taken advantage of the opportunity to play in the GAA without any restrictions on their availability during AFLW off-seasons, but a potential change of date could result in the two codes clashing on the calendar.
