Geelong’s Nina Morrison, Aishling Moloney named in AFLW All Australian squad; Anna-Rose Kennedy to return to Ireland for 2025 season
Two Geelong star are in line to press for a maiden AFLW all-Australian selection. Plus, a rising Irish talent decides to return home as the Cats make further three cuts to list.
Two Geelong stars are in line for a maiden all-Australian jacket, Aishling Moloney and Nina Morrison named in the initial 42-player squad.
The duo are among 21 players vying for their first all-Australian nod, with Morrison previously in the extended 2023 squad, while it is Moloney’s first nomination after a career-best second season in Australia in which the Irishwoman finished as joint leading goalkicker alongside Brisbane’s Taylor Smith with 21 majors.
Becoming a focal point up forward, Moloney, 26, averaged 14.2 disposals, 2.9 marks and five score involvements across her 11 appearances.
Meanwhile, Morrison, 23, shouldered a big load in the midfield with partners in crime Georgie Prespakis and Amy McDonald sidelined with injury at separate times this season.
The Cats co-vice captain averaged 20.8 disposals, a career-high 7.1 tackles, 3.9 clearances and 3.9 score involvements a game, as the Cats finished 10th with a 4-6-1 record.
The final squad of 21 will be announced at the W Awards on November 25.
Emerging Irish defender decides to return home as Cats cut three
Geelong defender Anna—Rose Kennedy won’t line up for the Cats in 2025 after making the decision to return to Ireland for personal reasons.
It comes after the Cats made three delistments, with Brooke Plummer, Abbey McDonald and Lilly Pearce not offered new contracts for the upcoming AFLW 2025 season.
Geelong assistant football boss Brett Johnson said it was unfortunate to lose Kennedy from the program but wished her well for the future, with the door open for the 23-year-old to return to Geelong in the future.
“We acknowledge the massive sacrifice that all Irish players make to play in Australia,” Johnson said.
Kennedy, who was recruited from county Tipperary alongside Irish forward Aishling Moloney, enjoyed a breakout season this year, after injury cruelled most of her first year in the program in 2023.
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Making her debut in the Cats’ 2023 preliminary final, Kennedy went on to play every game this year out of defence, including a career-best 591-metres gained, 18 touches and four marks against Brisbane in round 8.
Meanwhile, Plummer and McDonald depart after eight AFLW games each across three seasons, while it was a luckless year for emerging ruck Pearce, who joined the Cats as a replacement player but went down with a season-ending ACL injury at training in September.
The Cats are expected to acknowledge all their departing players at Saturday night’s club best and fairest night.
Originally published as Geelong’s Nina Morrison, Aishling Moloney named in AFLW All Australian squad; Anna-Rose Kennedy to return to Ireland for 2025 season
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