As Hawthorn's AFLW season edges closer, it's time to find out a bit more about our No. 7, Aileen Gilroy.
Nickname: Gilly
Instagram handle: @gilroy7
Position: Utility
Draft History: Rookie signing (North Melbourne - 2019), Expansion signing (Hawthorn - S7)
Previous AFLW Clubs: North Melbourne (2020 - 2022)
Senior Clubs: County Mayo (IRE)
Community Clubs: St Bridget’s/ Adamstown (IRE)
Bio: Gilroy became Hawthorn’s first Irish AFLW signing after being recruited on the final day of the AFLW Expansion Signing Period. Since being recruited by North Melbourne as a rookie in 2019, Gilroy played 28 games for the club as a defender. She took her game to new heights in Season 6, finishing seventh in the Kangaroos’ best and fairest after averaging 12 disposals and playing every game. In Season 7, Gilroy played in a variety of positions for the Hawks, going on to finish second in the club’s best and fairest with averages of 12.3 disposals, 5.3 tackles and 3.5 inside 50s. Before taking up Australian Rules, the 30-year-old represented the Republic of Ireland in both Gaelic Football and Association Football, highlighting her expertise across multiple sports.
Honours:
- Second in inaugural Hawthorn AFLW best and fairest, S7
- Gold Standards award winner S7
- Seventh in North Melbourne’s S6 best and fairest
- Fifth in North Melbourne’s 2020 best and fairest
- Runner-up 2017 All Ireland
- All Star 2017
- U17 Soccer World Cup 2010
Three things you might not know about Gilly:
1. She has two older sisters and two younger brothers.
2. She played soccer for Ireland and at U17 level, she got to the World Cup and made the quarter-finals.
3. She was brought up on a farm and her Dad wouldn't let her drive a car until she could drive a tractor.
