GAA

Melbourne Demons remain committed to Aimee Mackin despite season-ending injury

2022 AFLW champions keeping in touch with Armagh star through sister Blaithin

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 19: Aimee Mackin of the Demons in action during the 2023 AFLW Second Semi Final match between The Melbourne Demons and The Geelong Cats at IKON Park on November 19, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 19: Aimee Mackin of the Demons in action during the 2023 AFLW Second Semi Final match between The Melbourne Demons and The Geelong Cats at IKON Park on November 19, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images) (Dylan Burns/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
By AHMER KHOKHAR

The Melbourne Demons AFLW team remain committed to Aimee Mackin and are keeping in regular contact through younger sister Blaithin.

Three-time Allstar Aimee was ruled out of the 2024 AFLW season in May when she suffered a second season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear of her career in the Ulster Senior Final victory over Donegal.

The Shane O’Neill’s forward broke down 13 minutes into the second half of the provincial decider at Clones, which Armagh won 0-17 to 1-13 after extra-time.

The Calmough woman endured the same injury heartbreak in 2019 but proved her resilience by returning to fitness to win the LGFA Player of the Year award in 2020.

“Sadly, while playing Gaelic in Ireland, Mackin sustained an ACL injury on the eve of the AFLW pre-season,” Melbourne Demons said.

“While this rules her out of the 2024 AFLW season, she will remain close to the program through her sister.”

Melbourne Demons list manager Tod Patterson remains optimistic that Aimee will be available for the 10th AFLW season in 2025.

Last year in her debut campaign, Mackin kicked two goals in six matches and featured in the Demons heartbreaking five-point semi-final defeat to Geelong.

The Mackin sisters both signed contract extensions alongside Dublin’s Sinead Goldrick before Christmas last year.

“What a special group of people to recommit to our club,” Patterson said.

“They each have such unique stories, despite coming from the same country to play our great game, and even the same family.”

“We just love the Mackin sisters, and it was great for Aimee to get a taste of the action this past season.

Aimee and Blaithin Mackin, both now on the books at Melbourne Demons. Picture: AFL Photos
Aimee and Blaithin Mackin, both now on the books at Melbourne Demons. Picture: AFL Photos

“For Blaithin to commit for an extended period of time is extremely exciting for us, and we expect she will continue to flourish and grow in importance with us.”

On the eve of the start of the 2024 AFLW season Blaithin Bogue has learned that she won’t play for the North Melbourne Kangaroos in a 2023 Grand Final rematch against the Brisbane Lions on Sunday.

The Fermanagh star only arrived in Australia just over a fortnight ago and is understandably still learning the nuances of the Australian rules.

According to Kangaroos coach Darren Crocker, Bogue is a special talent who will make a big impact in AFLW.

Crocker’s assessment has been endorsed by North Melbourne captain Emma Kearney who earlier this week proudly boasted that “Blaithin Bogue is my favourite Irish player”. Cork’s Erika O’Shea and Tipperary’s Niamh Martin are also on the Kangaroos playing list.

Meanwhile, Sydney Swans AFLW coach Scott Gowans, who counts Donegal footballer Tanya Kennedy as one of his charges believes the future is bright for the women’s game.

“That’s been the big change for me, is that the game sense and the talent of decision-making has grown leaps and bounds,” Gowans said.

“The talent pathway is now there and that’s the big thing that excites me about the next 10 years.”