AFLW爱尔兰籍球星Erone Fitzpatrick对澳大利亚规则足球中球员转会的普遍现象感到困惑[1]。Fitzpatrick在爱尔兰效力同一支俱乐部长达19年，从4岁到23岁，这与AFLW中频繁变换球队的风气形成了鲜明对比[1]。她目前效力卡尔顿俱乐部，该队在2024赛季排名第14，并已晋级2025赛季预选决赛[1]。
自2017年AFLW创立以来，爱尔兰球员大量涌入这项运动[1]。联赛目前拥有44名活跃爱尔兰球员和2名不活跃球员[1]。这些球员凭借快速进攻的风格对联赛产生了深远影响[1]，同时也导致爱尔兰本土盖尔足球人才流失[1]。北墨尔本俱乐部拥有5名爱尔兰球员，而梅奥郡已有6名女孩在AFLW效力[1]。
上赛季，Fitzpatrick平均每场处理球17.5次并进球13个[1]。卡尔顿女队通过舞蹈和音乐营造欢乐氛围，比赛前表演舞蹈并演唱《Untouched by the Veronicas》作为非官方国歌[1]。
Erone Fitzpatrick, an Irish-born Australian Rules Football player, has expressed bewilderment at the frequent player transfers common in the AFLW, a practice starkly different from her experience in Ireland.[1] Fitzpatrick played for the same Irish club from age four until age twenty-three before making the move to Australian football.[1] Now playing for Carlton, she represents a growing Irish contingent in the league that has reached forty-four active players since the AFLW's establishment in 2017.[1]
The influx of Irish athletes has significantly shaped the competition's style of play, bringing a fast-paced attacking approach to the sport.[1] North Melbourne fields five Irish players, while Mayo County has six girls competing in the AFLW.[1] Despite their impact on the league, the migration has contributed to a talent drain in Irish Gaelic football.[1] Fitzpatrick herself has become a key contributor for Carlton, averaging 17.5 disposals and scoring thirteen goals in the previous season.[1]
Carlton enters the 2025 season with renewed momentum, having clinched a playoff spot after finishing fourteenth in 2024.[1] The team has cultivated a distinctive pre-match atmosphere, performing dance routines and singing "Untouched by the Veronicas" as an unofficial team anthem.[1]