AFL Invasion

[Rossfan]

Good performance there today by McKenna in the second quarter. Don't know enough about the sport but it looks like he's a key player in that team?

Heard today that there are over 40 Irish players, make and female, in Australia on contracts at the moment. You can hardly blame them but that's a huge number of players

Hardly huge compared to how many play gaelic games male and female.

[imtommygunn]

The womens seasons don't overlap either so they can do both.

[Never beat the deeler]

The womens seasons don't overlap either so they can do both.

They changed the AFLW season - clubs start pre-season training at the end of May.
The season starts the week the AFL has their pre-finals bye, first weekend of September with the grand final on 3 December this year, so some players may become available in early November if they don't make finals.

[Rossfan]

Karl Gallagher from Monaghan invited to pre season training with Adelaide.

[toby47]

Karl Gallagher from Monaghan invited to pre season training with Adelaide.

Will be a big miss for Vinny Corey & Monaghan if he is offered a contract.

[twohands!!!]

https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/monaghan-blow-as-star-karl-gallaghers-two-year-afl-deal-with-the-adelaide-crows-is-confirmed/

Gallagher signs a two year rookie contract. A loss for Monaghan.

[twohands!!!]

Carlton recruiters around the place at the moment.

Normally it's later in the year when they come over but Carlton are hoping to gain an advantage on the opposition by travelling now. Sound very committed to recruiting more Irish players.

The Category B international rookies aren't counted as part of the salary cap (clubs have a limit on what they can spend on salaries) and also don't count towards the number of players a club can have on their books so are less of a risk compared to other rookie signings.

Also the fact that they are willing to move Monahan from Kerry to Category A make room in their Category B space means they view his chances of making is as very positively given he's only been over there 6 months at his stage.

https://wwos.nine.com.au/afl/news-2024-carlton-blues-executives-travel-to-ireland-attempt-to-recruit-talent-for-academy/fee43fbc-e776-4a2a-b492-456001233115

"And as much as the academy is a multi-pronged strategy to strengthen the men's and women's playing lists, Ireland is by far the most bold component of the plan."

"Carlton's view is Ireland is a largely untapped market, full of incredible athletes and highly competitive performers. "