The first Australian rules women's international has been hailed a great success and one could be played in Ireland as soon as next year, according to AFLW boss Laura Kane.
A burst of six straight goals either side of half-time propelled the home team to a 13.13 (91) to 6.5 (41) win over Ireland in an entertaining game played in front of a capacity crowd of 9017 at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.
Australia led at every break, by margins of 12, 30 and 41 points, in a showcase for a code that has sometimes been dogged by low scoring.
Ireland thrilled the crowd, which included a large contingent of their fans, with several fast flowing passages of play in the first half.
They were limited to one goal in the second half, but hung in there against an Australian team who won the physical battle, tallying 35 more contested possessions.
Kane and the captains and coaches of the two teams felt it was a great showcase for the code.
Both countries want to make the series an annual event and Kane told AAP she wanted to take the concept to Ireland, perhaps as soon as 2027.
Australia coach Darren Crocker said the concept had only scratched the surface and supported taking it to Ireland.
"I think they would unbelievably embrace it," Crocker said.
He had no issue with a suggestion from Ireland coach Colin O'Riordan that part of the game in Ireland be played with a round ball, which is used in Gaelic football, the breeding ground of all the Irish AFLW players
"Have a little power play each quarter for five minutes and bring out the round ball and see how we go, I reckon that's not a bad idea," Crocker said.
North Melbourne players were the leading goal kickers for both teams, Tahlia Randall bagging four for Australia and Blaithin Bogue three for Ireland.
Australian rucks Mim Strom and Matilda Scholz dominated the hitouts, giving Australia a whopping advantage.
The home team dominated in the air, taking 38 more marks and limiting Ireland to just eight in the first half.
"Our plan was just to get it to our key forwards, we know how dangerous they are, so it was chaotic at times," Australian captain and player of the match Jasmine Garner said.
"But we knew it was going break open to at some point and that's exactly what happened."
O'Riordan said the game was a great showcase for AFLW and praised his players for their effort and intensity.
"The second quarter let them (Australia) off the chain for a few minutes and probably killed us in the end," he said.
Ireland captain Orla O'Dwyer supported the game becoming an annual part of the calendar .
"I'm super proud of our team and how we fought to the end." O'Dwyer said.
Ebony Marinoff topped Australia's possession count with 25, from Ash Riddell and Nina Morrison, 21 each.
For Ireland, Erika O'Shea led their possession tally with 21, followed by O'Dwyer with 19.
Crocker said Geelong's Georgie Prespakis (throat ) and Richmond's Ellie Mackenzie (forearm) would need to be assessed by their clubs.
