For Geelong, identifying ladies football talent is all about feet on Irish ground

"The Irish girls are doing it since they were six. It is natural to them."

Aishling Moloney of the Cats celebrates kicking a goal. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

It is a work trip. Work could be worse. Dan Lowther is sitting in the heart of Galway city, one of the many enthusiastic visitors, in the middle of his second annual excursion to Ireland.

Over eight days he will meet some current and future players as well as their families. He will jump across the Irish sea and spend some time with Premier League clubs. He will serve Geelong in the best way he sees fit. That means these purposeful quests. Lowther is the head coach of their AFLW team. He was appointed in 2021 and led the Victoria outfit to the final four for the first time ever last season with Irish stars spearheading their surge.