MELBOURNE will welcome another Irish talent to town, signing Gaelic footballer Aimee Mackin for the 2023 NAB AFL Women’s season.
A familiar name among fans, Mackin is the older sister of premiership player Blaithin, with the two set to become the first representative siblings in the Demons’ AFLW program.
Mackin, who also plays for Armagh in Ladies Gaelic Football (LGFA), will make the trip down under at the conclusion of the county’s 2023 Championship campaign, joining her sister and Dublin star Sinead Goldrick at Melbourne.
AFLW List Manager Todd Patterson said he was delighted for the 25-year-old to become a Demon.
“We are thrilled to be able to welcome Aimee at the conclusion of her Armagh commitments later this year,” Patterson told Melbourne Media.
“Aimee will add a different element to our forward line. We are excited by her ability to get shots off at goal, with great creativity, power and an impressive left foot, and anticipate her skillset really complementing our current mix.
“In addition, Aimee and Blaithin share such a strong bond and it is going to be special for us to be part of this, and fun to watch.
“Blaithin had an amazing impact on our program last year, both on and off the field, and we look forward to the two of them building on this, individually and collectively, this season.”
Mackin is regarded as one of the star players of the Gaelic competition, most notably recognised as the 2020 Senior Players’ Player of the Year – the equivalent of the league’s Best and Fairest or Brownlow Medal.
She has three All-Star selections to her name, reflective of the AFLW’s All-Australian honours, as well as international experience in soccer as a junior.
Switching the round ball for a Sherrin is a challenge the explosive forward is up for, expressing her excitement in joining the red and blue.
“I’m really excited and thankful for the opportunity that Melbourne Demons have given me,” Mackin said.
“It’s extra special that I’ll get to play alongside my sister and I’m really looking forward to working with all the staff and players for the 2023 season.
“It was a big decision for me, and I’m delighted to have the support from my county Armagh and my club Shane O’Neill’s here in Ireland. Things have moved really fast to make this happen and I’m grateful for their support.
“My focus remains on our GAA campaign, and we will be hoping to give it our best shot this season. I look forward to joining my Melbourne teammates later in the year. Go Dees.”
With Mackin’s signature, the Demons are locked and loaded ahead of the upcoming campaign.
“This announcement rounds out our squad ahead of the 2023 season,” Patterson said.
“We feel we have a great mix of talent across the ground and look forward to continuing to build and develop as a side in the lead up to season eight of the competition.”
