Geelong Cats co-captain Nina Morrison is the latest addition to the Australian squad for the sold-out 2026 NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland match at North Sydney Oval on Saturday, 1 August.
Morrison replaces Melbourne premiership and All-Australian defender Maeve Chaplin, who has been ruled out of the historic clash with a foot injury.
Australian senior coach Darren Crocker said: “It's disappointing to lose Maeve, especially so close to the match. She was excited to represent Australia, and we wish her all the best with her recovery, but we're fortunate to have a player of Nina's calibre ready to step into the squad,” Crocker said.
“Nina has been one of the competition’s most consistent performers and we know she’ll embrace this opportunity.”
The representative honour caps a remarkable stretch for Morrison, as she prepares for her eighth year in the Hoops in 2026.
After taking out Geelong's best and fairest award in 2024, the star on-baller backed it up with another strong campaign in 2025, finishing in the club's top three players for disposals, inside 50s, tackles, clearances and contested possessions.
It resulted in the tough midfielder finishing second in the Cats' best and fairest, her fourth consecutive podium finish, while also polling the second-most votes of any Geelong player in the league best and fairest award.
Morrison was also recognised for her leadership abilities both on and off the field in the build up to the new season, announced as Geelong's new co-captain alongside Becky Webster in 2026.
The 2026 NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland match will be played under Australian Football rules, using a classic Sherrin football, and bring together some of the competition’s biggest stars and emerging talent to celebrate the continued growth of women’s football and the strong connection between AFLW and Ireland.
Starting at 4.15pm AEST, the match will be broadcast live nationally on Fox Footy, Kayo Sports, Kayo Freebies and Binge.
While tickets for the match have been exhausted, fans across Sydney can still experience the excitement of the occasion alongside fellow supporters by attending a watch party at participating venues. These include the Coogee Bay Hotel (Coogee), PJ O’Brien’s (Sydney CBD), Clovelly Hotel (Clovelly), Shea’s (Clovelly), Rag & Famish (North Sydney), The Henson Park Hotel (Marrickville), The Bellevue Hotel (Paddington) and Club Five Dock RSL (Five Dock).
The W Club at The Aviary Hotel (Abbotsford) will also host a watch party for fans across Melbourne.
A Ticketmaster waitlist also remains in place should any additional tickets become available in the lead-up to the match.
For more information about the 2026 NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland match, visit https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/australia-v-ireland/
