For Irish key position player, Kayleigh Cronin, it’s two for 22: as the No. 22 signs a two-year deal to stay with the Crows until at least the end of the 2028 season. 

Arriving at Adelaide via a Rookie contract for the 2025 season, the 181cm Gaelic footballer played six games in her debut AFLW season, following that up with 10 games in 2026, playing a variety of roles across the forward and back lines.

Cronin also represented Team Ireland in the historic inaugural Australia v Ireland representative match in August.

Having made the cross-code jump to AFLW after a successful career with Gaelic Football’s County Kerry, Cronin, 30, said she shunned the lure of returning home because she was excited by the future on offer at the Crows.

“Anyone who knows me, knows how highly I speak of my family, friends and clubmates back home in Ireland and they know the draw is there to go back, but I don’t think I can quite go back just yet, with (Senior Coach) Ryan Davis coming in and the exciting new players we have, the future is very bright here,” she said.

“I don’t think I’ve reached my potential just yet, I feel that I have a lot more to give and I think here at Adelaide is the best place for me to do that.”

Crows Executive General Manager AFLW Bree Brock said the two-year contract was reward for the immense endeavour Cronin had to learn her craft, hone her skills and improve her game.

“If you’re looking for Kayleigh around the Club, typically, she’ll be the player at the computers diligently watching footage, educating herself on the game and learning more about our upcoming opponents,” Brock said.

“This effort has seen her grow as a footballer on the field, too, always bringing her trademark grit and Irish flair. 

“Then there’s her humour and care for teammates, which makes her much-loved around our corridors and we are thrilled to see her commit to us for another two years.”