The Brisbane Lions congratulate AFLW senior coach Craig Starcevich on being appointed as senior assistant coach of Ireland.
Starcevich will help lead the Irish representative team in their historic 2026 NAB AFLW clash against Australia on Saturday 1 August at North Sydney Oval.
WATCH: STARCEVICH SPEAKS FOLLOWING HIS APPOINTMENT OF THE IRISH TEAM
The two-time premiership Lions mentor will support Irish-born Sydney Swans AFLW senior coach Colin O’Riordan who has been named as the Irish coach.
Starcevich, a three-time AFLCA AFLW Coach of the Year, said he was excited to be part of the coaching group for an international side for the first time.
“It’s exciting, it’s a completely new role and I’m very much the imposter in the country that’s not mine,” Starcevich said
“Obviously the Irish players have brought such skill and excitement to our game over the last ten years, it’s been a delight to see.
“Representative games are something that some of us older coaches in the group have been pushing for to attract a broader audience. I think this game has got the general public’s imagination.
“A lot of the instincts from Gaelic football is similar to our game.
“The play-on fluid style of game that they have converts well to our game - the athleticism, the power in their kicking, those sorts of areas have always been a strength.
“We definitely want to make the match a great spectacle for those watching. Gathering 20 of the best Irish players in the AFLW is definitely going to tick that box.”
Starcevich is the AFLW’s most successful coach and currently has four Irish players – Orla O’Dwyer, Neasa Dooley, Jennifer Dunne and Caitlin Kennedy in his Lions AFLW squad.
Starcevich played 177 games for Collingwood and the Brisbane Bears between 1987 and 1995 and was part of the Magpies’ 1990 AFL premiership side.
Since then, he has led the Lions’ AFLW side since the competition’s inception, becoming the first AFLW senior coach to reach 100 games and leading the Lions to two premierships from seven Grand Final appearances.
Dual North Melbourne premiership coach Darren Crocker has been appointed to lead Australia, with West Coast Eagles AFLW senior coach Daisy Pearce as his assistant.
The 2026 NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland match will be played under Australian Football Rules, with a classic Sherrin football.
The match will start at 4:15pm AEST and will be broadcast exclusively live around the country on Fox Footy, Kayo Sports, Kayo Freebies and Binge.
