Five Lions have been selected for the squads, with three representing Ireland and two representing Australia.

For the Ireland, Irish nationals Orla O’Dwyer, Jenn Dunne and Neasa Dooley will pull on the green guernsey. Their selection adds to the impressive resumes of O’Dwyer and Dunne who are both AFLW premiership players and All Australians.

Dooley’s breakout debut season in 2025 impressed the selectors, and earned her a berth in her homeland’s side.

They’ll be under the guidance of Brisbane Lions AFLW senior coach, Craig Starcevich who has also been selected as Ireland’s assistant coach. Brisbane Lion’s strength and condition coach, Matthew Greene will be the Irish.

Orla O’Dwyer said she is excited for the clash, particularly with the continuous growth of AFLW and the number of Irish players coming out to Australia to play in the league.

“An opportunity to have the best of the best will be a spectacle. It will be funny and interesting marking your own teammates. This game will bring the intensity and fire,” O’Dwyer said.

“There are so many Irish people living in Australia, especially Sydney. I actually think there may be more Irish fans in the crowd then Aussies!

“One thing about us Irish is we love to get around our country no matter what the sport is, that’s what I love about Ireland, we are very patriotic.

“It’s just great to see how quickly AFLW is evolving and I’m so lucky and grateful to be apart if it all.”

For the Australian side, the Lions selected are premiership players and All-Australians, Courtney Hodder and Sophie Conway.