Ireland's Aishling Sheridan popped up with two goals on the opening day of the AFL Women's season as Collingwood overcame Carlton on a score-line of 33-27.
After tearing off to a great start in Thursday's opening fixture, Collingwood held a 26-0 lead at the half-way mark.
While Carlton responded magnificently and scored 27 points of their own across the final two quarters, Sheridan's second-half goal proved crucial and the Cavan native got off to a winning start this season.
Grabbing the opening goal of the new AFLW season, Sheridan struck mid-way through the second quarter and can be seen in the compiled highlights below.
⚠️ Beware @CollingwoodAFLW ⚠️
The Magpies have shocked the Blues in the opening game of the NAB #AFLW 2021 season.
Here's how: https://t.co/crblhC9wrm pic.twitter.com/aWvOaCrSjj— AFL (@AFL) January 28, 2021
It was an impetus for a run of Collingwood scoring that looked to have put Carlton out of contention. Leading comfortably at the half-way mark, Sheridan would be called upon again to play a crucial role in the second-half.
Sheridan's all-important second goal came off the back of a tremendous assist from her Collingwood teammate, Jaimee Lambert.
Receiving the ball under pressure, Lambert managed with the quickest of glances to spy Sheridan ahead of her and she played the Cavan native in for a straight forward but decisive finish.
Still trying to figure out how @JaimeeLambert did this 🤯#AFLWBluesPies pic.twitter.com/M3cLq8s7Vb
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) January 28, 2021
The first outing for an Irish player in this year's AFLW, many will be hoping that Sheridan's strong start to the season with Collingwood can be replicated as others kick off their season in the coming days.
ROUND 1 AFLW FIXTURES
Thursday, January 28th
Carlton 27-33 Collingwood, Ikon Park
Friday, January 29th
St Kilda vs Western Bulldogs, RSEA Park (7:10pm / 8.10am Irish time)
Saturday, January 30th
Gold Coast Suns vs Melbourne, Metricon Stadium (2:10pm /4.10am)
West Coast Eagles v Adelaide Crows, Mineral Resources Park (2:10pm / 6.10am)
Sunday, January 31st
Geelong vs North Melbourne, GMHBA Stadium (12:10pm / 1.10am)
Richmond vs Brisbane Lions, Swinburne Centre (2:10pm / 3.10am)
Fremantle vs GWS Giants, Fremantle Oval (1:10pm / 5.10am)
Further fixture details are available here
Aishling Sheridan spoke to OTB AM earlier this month about her journey from Ireland, quarantining in Australia and the skills required to make it in AFL.
You can watch that interview right here.
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