Tipperary's Aisling McCarthy will be staying with the West Coast Eagles until 2023 after penning a new contract.
The 2017 All-Ireland Intermediate player of the year's first season in Perth was hampered by a knee injury. She's still recovering from the injury and it's also likely to limit her involvement with Tipperary this summer.
Despite her campaign being cut short, the 26-year-old was voted West Coast's second-best player of the season and was among their top five performers in tackling, metres gained and clearances.
McCarthy moved to the Eagles this season after two years with the Bulldogs, becoming the first Irish women's player to play for two different clubs in the AFLW.
DAY 2 OF SIGN-A-PALOOZA: Our Irish star is locked in for next season!!!! 🍀https://t.co/J081qgFfo3
— West Coast Eagles AFLW (@eaglesaflw) June 23, 2021
“It’s really good to sign Aish on again. Her injuries really restricted her this year from being her best, but along with Bella Lewis she’s probably our most consistent player when she’s on the park,” the Eagles' AFLW coach Daniel Pratt said of McCarthy's new contract.
“Having Aish’s quality in the midfield, especially regaining Dana Hooker, next year after her injury, and ‘Swanny’ fully fit, able to get through a full pre-season, I feel like our midfield is going to keep growing. The strength will be seen on game day.”
