STEPPING on to the hallowed turf of the MCG is a dream for many.

Last Saturday, Demon recruit Blaithin Mackin not only fulfilled this dream, but did so in superb fashion.  

During her first week in Melbourne, Mackin played in her first AFLW game, had her first AFLW possession and kicked her first AFLW goal, all of which took place at the home of football. 

“I was a bit nervous because I wanted my first match to be a good one,” Mackin said of the experience.

“But because it was my very first match, I also didn’t feel much pressure with it.”

When her kick sailed through the goal posts, her teammates came from all over the ground to congratulate the young Demon on the unique achievement, much to the surprise of Mackin herself.

“We don’t celebrate at home,” Mackin explained.

“We wouldn’t celebrate when a goal or a point is kicked, so I kicked it and turned around and was just going to jog back but then everyone swarmed me.

“It was really nice and then afterwards I thought ‘wow, that was pretty cool’.”

Mackin, who hails from Armagh in Northern Ireland, first signed on with the Dees in mid-June as a cross code talent, having played in the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA).

It wasn’t until the beginning of last week that she first arrived at the club, coming across from Northern Ireland once she had completed her Gaelic season.

The 23-year-old was eager to hit the ground running, making an impact during training in her first week, despite not having had any previous AFLW experience.

“The sessions are so different from home, my body definitely felt the change,” Mackin said.

“We play gaelic at a high level but it’s not professional, it’s amateur.

“So, it is nice to see what you can do and what your capabilities could be in a professional environment.”

Mackin joined the Dees as the second Irish player currently on the list, joining third-year Demon Sinead Goldrick.

Goldrick has become an important member of Melbourne's line-up since joining the club in 2019 and has used her experiences within AFLW to help educate and support her fellow Irish teammate.

“Before we got here, we did a few sessions together and that was really good because I was practicing at home by myself, but I wasn’t sure if my technique was correct,” Mackin said.

“Whereas, when you have someone who’s done it for three or four years, I could learn directly from her.

“She’s been great in keeping me right and explaining the culture of the club, helping me get in early and do extra skills whenever we can.”  

Travelling to a different country to play a new sport is a daunting adventure and while there has been a lot to learn throughout, Mackin has embraced the new, taking every opportunity with both hands. 

“The practice match was brilliant because I didn’t play in the first half so I could sit and observe and see how it works,” Mackin said.

“From being in it, I feel like I’ve learned so much more already.  

“There’s loads more to learn but it’s a good thing because there’s plenty of people helping me.

“Everyone’s been so good, from the coaches to the players and obviously with players like Daisy [Pearce], you really are learning from the best.”