AFLW 2024: Aileen Gilroy praised after booting Hawthorn into top two

An eccentric Hawthorn star has raised eyebrows with her pre-game routine, but looms as the Hawks’ ace in the pack at the pointy end of the season.

Hawthorn star Aileen Gilroy is reaping the rewards of a strict goalkicking regimen as her finishing skills loom as vital for the Hawks in a potential $1 million game in Cairns.

The Hawks are within reach of the McClelland Trophy and its significant cash prize with a narrow lead over Brisbane heading into Thursday night’s clash against Melbourne.

The Demons have their own strong incentive, with two wins from their final two games likely needed to force their way past Port Adelaide or Essendon into the top eight.

Irish star Gilroy has only once been nominated for goal of the year this season (in round 2) but has produced several high-class finishes in a haul of 6.2 from her last two games.

Hawthorn coach Daniel Webster said the 31-year-old, who has booted 13 of her 20 career goals in nine games this season, had worked relentlessly to earn the plaudits coming her way.

Hawthorn star Aileen Gilroy has two three-goal hauls from her last two games as the Hawks close in on an AFLW top-two spot. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images

“You need players who can make something out of nothing. Gilly puts a lot of time into her craft, and I think out of anyone, she probably spends the most time kicking goals, and has done in the time I’ve been (at Hawthorn),” Webster said after the Hawks’ win over GWS on Saturday.

“She’s been amazing this year. I can’t speak highly enough of her year, both from impact on the scoreboard, and also the pressure and work rate she’s able to give us on the half-forward line.”

Hawks midfielder Mattea Breed said Gilroy might have felt “embarrassed” by the attention on her big goal celebrations and footage of her overzealous warm-up routine, but her energy was infectious.

find me someone that goes harder in warm-ups than @AileenGilroy 🤣🤯 pic.twitter.com/8wyDHYuLSb

— Hawthorn FC AFLW (@hawthornaflw) September 16, 2024

“I think we all love it, and credit where it's due – she’s playing really, really good footy,” Breed said.

“The warm-ups are not overblown – that’s Gilly through and through. I actually wish it was a joke. Our runner Cam, he’s been copping the brunt of it week in, week out.

“I made the mistake before the Geelong game in standing next to her and I copped it so bad, but that was a decent game, so maybe I need to stick with it.”

Fit-again Hawk Casey Sherriff (pictured) and vice-captain Eliza West will face their former Melbourne for the first time in Cairns on Thursday night. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

Hawthorn expected to regain former Demon Casey Sherriff (lower leg) and Mackenzie Eardley (concussion) for the clash in Cairns after both got through Tuesday’s main training session.

Melbourne veteran Paxy Paxman was a key part of the pre-game promotions as she launched the club’s Indigenous Round guernsey, but was later ruled out of the clash with a lingering foot injury which has restricted her to only five games this season.

Demons defender Gabby Colvin was set to be available after missing the win over Richmond with a concussion.

On a four-match winning streak after dropping four consecutive games during September, the Demons would need to win both their remaining games to avoid missing finals for the first time since 2019.