In recent years, Irish players have become increasingly common in the AFL since the initial few who were brave enough to leave the emerald isle in an attempt to make a career in a foreign sport on the other side of the world.
Jim Stynes and Tadgh Kennelly lead the list of Gaelic footballers who have triumphed in the transformation. Their respective legacies are embedded in the history of Australian rules.
Stynes, was a winner of the AFL’s highest individual achievement – the Brownlow medal – and Kennelly was a premiership player with the Sydney Swans.
At present there are ten Irish experiments in the AFL system, all in differing stages of their development.
But which club has the luck of the Irish, who among the current crop is the best “convert”?
Collingwood’s Marty Clarke, Carlton’s Zach Tuohy and Brisbane’s Pearce Hanley are the leading contenders. All three have played similar roles across half-back and pushing up to the wing.
Although GWS recruit Setanta O’hAilpin has contributed for Carlton as a forward/relief ruckman, the 29-year-old has arguably reached his ceiling. Clarke, Tuohy and Hanley, however, are still developing and have substantial upside.
Clarke of County Down is the most experienced of the trio with 57 games. Boasting a disposal efficiency of 79 he is the most skilled by hand and foot, narrowly edging out Tuohy (78).
However Tuohy has proven more than capable of launching a long ball, especially from a set shot, bombing five goals for the year.
The County Laois product has just 23 games’ experience under his belt but leads his countrymen for tackles this year, averaging more than three per game.
Despite the contributions of Clarke and Tuohy, Brisbane’s Pearce Hanley is currently the most impressive Irishman in the competition.
County Mayo’s Hanley has continued on from his stellar 2011 season.
Hanley’s superior aerobic ability has enabled him to outrun and spread from contests more effectively than his opponents.
Averaging 20.3 disposals per game, 13.4 uncontested and more than five marks, are impressive numbers for most defenders let alone an Irishman who started playing the game just five years ago.
Hanley is certainly the more superior of the current crop from a statistical point of view.
Roarers, who do you think will be the next Jim Stynes or Tadgh Kennelly?
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