Dublin’s Sinead Goldrick and Niamh McEvoy have decided to return home from Australia before the end of their maiden AFLW campaigns due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The All-Ireland winning duo have been helping Melbourne Demons to a third place finish in their conference and an upcoming semi-final with the GWS Giants as the ALFW play-offs are due to begin this Saturday behind closed doors, Dublin Live reports.
But the ongoing uncertainty of being able to make it home at a later date with the COVID-19 pandemic spreading worldwide has forced Goldrick and McEvoy to cut their seasons short and return to Dublin.
AFLW Football Manager Daniel McPherson said: "With so much uncertainty in the world at the moment, we think what’s best for Niamh and Sinead is to be back home in Ireland with their families.
"Whilst we would obviously love for both of them to be lining up for us against GWS in our first ever AFLW final this Saturday, we took the view that getting them home safely was far more important at this point in time.
"Niamh and Sinead have been outstanding additions to our group this year. Within a few short months, they have been able to learn a whole new game and have both become significant contributors in our performances this season.
"They are both terrific competitors who have worked incredibly hard on their AFL craft. We will miss having them with us as we head into our first AFL Women’s Finals Series.
"We know the girls are disappointed that it has ended like this for now, but we look forward to hopefully seeing them back next season."
