Collingwood has signed emerging Gaelic football star Finnbarr Roarty as a Category B Rookie, with the Irishman moving to Melbourne full-time a few days ago.
The 20-year-old is the sixth men's Irish player to join Collingwood in its history after Martin Clarke (73 games), Denis Lanigan (41 games), Caolan Mooney (six games), Mark Keane (now at Adelaide) and Anton Tohill (one game).
Roarty won Gaelic Young Footballer of the Year in 2025 for his side Donegal.
Speaking on Collingwood's The Black and White Wrap podcast, Roarty said the Pies showed initial interest in him over 10 months ago.
"I think it was the very start of the year they were talking saying, 'We might be interested in you and there were other players we are looking at'," Roarty said.
"We just talked from there and then they were like, 'We know you also have your football on and we don't want to get in the way of that so if you're not interested just let us know, or if you are that's okay and we will contact you after the county season and we will let you do your own thing.
"Later on in the summer they contacted me and we got chatting and there were Zoom calls and everything, so it was a very open relationship."
The young gun Irishman comes from a family of seven children, but in 2027 and possibly beyond, he will call the Magpie Army home.
He made his senior Gaelic debut at 17 and is seen as an emerging star defender.
When Roarty knew the AFL and Collingwood could be a possibility for his future, he started watching broadcasts of the AFLW (which is full of Irish players) at home.
Upon arriving in Melbourne, Roarty said the size and popularity of Aussie rules caught him by surprise.
"You know (the AFL) is big in its own way but geez, when I came out, even though I knew about it, it was still such a culture shock over how massive it is over here and the passion," he said.
"I have kicked (an Aussie Rules football) a wee bit but that was by myself, so I have got tips that my hands are sitting sideways so I think there are a few mental blocks but they are just wee small learnings as I go on."
Brisbane premiership player Conor McKenna recently encouraged Irish players to make the move down under for greater opportunities compared to what the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) can offer.
This is due to the GAA being an amateur sport, while the AFL can offer professional contracts.
There is plenty of Irish blood already in the current AFL landscape with Geelong duo Oisin Mullin and Mark O'Connor, St Kilda pair Liam O'Connell and Kobe McDonald, Hawthorn's Conor Nash, GWS' Callum Brown, Adelaide's Mark Keane, Lions' Ben Murphy and Essendon's Cillian Bourke.
Collingwood AFL national recruiting manager Shane O'Bree said Roarty's physical traits will make him one to watch for Pies fans.
“Finnbarr is a highly talented young athlete with plenty of potential. His competitiveness, athletic profile and leadership qualities have stood out throughout his Gaelic career and we're excited about what he can bring to our club,” O'Bree said.
“Moving across the world to pursue an opportunity like this takes courage and we're excited to be welcoming Finnbarr and his family to the club. We look forward to seeing him embrace the program and continue to grow as a footballer.”
