AFLW 2023: Aimee Mackin joins sister Blaithin in Melbourne side

The sister of a Melbourne premiership star will make her AFLW debut under lights as the Demons look to continue piling on the goals.

Aimee Mackin looms as a big addition to Melbourne’s forward line, which is already the competition’s most prolific. Picture: Melbourne FC

Melbourne has fast-tracked an AFLW debut for Gaelic football star Aimee Mackin, injecting more talent into its forward half in an ominous sign for opponents.

The Irish recruit will join sister and premiership player Blaithin Mackin in the Demons’ side against Hawthorn on Friday night, with teammates calling the prospect of facing the duo “scary” for opponents.

The reigning premier’s forward line has averaged 20 more points per game than the next best team over the first three rounds, and the addition of Mackin, who slammed home a hat-trick of goals to lead her county Armagh to a league title in April, will give them even more firepower.

No side in competition history has ever scored more heavily over a three-game period than the Demons in their start to the season, and leading goalkicker Kate Hore said she was excited to see what Mackin could add to their attack.

The 26-year-old’s athletic prowess earnt her a senior football debut for Northern Ireland at just 16, before she switched codes to focus on Gaelic and was voted best in the league by her peers in 2020.

Debutant news shared all the way from Northern Ireland. 🥹

Aimee Mackin will play her first AFLW game on Friday night. 🙌

📝 | https://t.co/ry5L0S5uqgpic.twitter.com/pT4SgM11oe

— Melbourne AFLW (@MelbourneAFLW) September 20, 2023

“It’s so exciting to have Aimee – obviously, Blaithin came in last year and just dominated … she brought a real edge to our group with her speed and competitiveness,” Hore said last month.

“With Aimee, we haven’t seen too much of her yet, but it’s much of the same, speed is her real strength, and the thought of her in Demons colours is pretty scary for defenders.”

Mackin arrived in Australia last month nursing a hamstring tear and was unavailable for the practice games, but enters her first game confident in her ball-handling skills after three weeks of full training and months spent kicking a Sherrin with Blaithin back at home.

She said a holiday to Australia last year to watch Blaithin and the Demons win the premiership had left her eager to become part of the club.

Aimee Mackin’s younger sister Blaithin has slotted seamlessly into Melbourne’s side, starring in the season seven finals series on the way to a premiership. Picture: Russell Freeman / Getty Images

“It was extra special when we got out to watch the Grand Final, Blaithin kicking a goal was brilliant – seeing the way she’s adapted gives you that wee bit of confidence,” Mackin said.

“I would never have (joined a rival club), when I’d seen what this club was like I don’t think I could’ve gone against them and my sister, that wouldn’t have been agreed at home!

“It’s almost like an adopted family with Melbourne, how they treat everyone’s parents, it’s been good to meet everyone in the games at Casey Fields.

Mackin said living with Blaithin had made the tough decision to move away from their big family easier, as the sisters have a tight bond with their other siblings and young nieces and nephews, who all live nearby.

She was emotional as one of her nephews, Eoin, broke the news of her debut to her in a video call at the club on on Tuesday night.

Melbourne debutant Aimee Mackin (left) will join her sister Blaithin in the side against Hawthorn on Friday night. Picture: Melbourne FC

“It is hard because we are so close with family … we’re so far away from them that it’s hard to get for them to get over to visit with the kids being so young,” Mackin said.

“I suppose it’s extra special having your sister here, it’s just sort of that home feeling.”

Mackin is one of several top quality Irish recruits this season including Geelong’s Aishling Moloney who have benefited from being able to continue playing for their Irish clubs.

“It actually works out perfectly, you can get both seasons fully, you don’t have to let anyone down at home, which is nice,” Mackin said.

“We missed a few weeks of pre-season, but the fitness levels at home are quite similar so it feels like you’re coming over ready.”

Mackin said she was thrilled to begin her AFLW career on Friday night at Frankston’s Kinetic Stadium, after feeling “the buzz” of the first three matches and itching to join her new teammates.

“I’ll enjoy every minute of it, because it will be over in a flash,” she said.

Mackin’s debut comes as star forward Alyssa Bannan faces a fitness test on Thursday for the ankle injury she suffered in the first quarter of the Bulldogs victory.

Originally published as AFLW 2023: Aimee Mackin joins sister Blaithin in Melbourne side