MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 09: Sarah Rowe of the Magpies celebrates her goal during the round one AFLW match between the Carlton Blues and the Collingwood Magpies at Ikon Park on January 09, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Collingwood star Sarah Rowe has again crossed codes in the AFLW off-season, however this time will lace up the boots for A-League Women's side Melbourne Victory.
Rowe, who isn't unfamiliar with the round ball game after representing Ireland before stepping onto the Gaelic Football scene, will link up with Victory as an injury replacement player.
The 27-year-old most recently played for Irish club the Shelbourne Ladies in 2021 during the AFLW break.
Her latest off-season move isn't expected to interfere with her commitments to Collingwood.
“I'm thrilled to be able to join Melbourne Victory and be back playing football with Jeff (Hopkins - Victory senior coach) and the team here at Victory,” Rowe said in a club statement.
“There is no doubt this group wants to achieve the ultimate success this season and I'm looking forward to contributing to their success any way I can.”
Rowe will be available for Melbourne as early as Friday's contest with Perth Glory at AAMI Park, having been signed as a replacement player for the injured Melina Ayres.
Victory coach Jeff Hopkins expressed his delight in adding the international and multifaceted sports star.
“We're incredibly pleased to have an athlete like Sarah join the Club and we're excited to see what a natural talent like her can bring to our squad,” Hopkins said.
“Sarah has been trialing with us and we've been impressed with her level and what she has to offer so we're looking to see her hit the ground running at Victory.”
Rowe has played 43 games for Collingwood in five seasons with the club, emerging as a star international recruit for the Victorian powerhouse.
Details on the start dates for the eighth AFLW season are yet to be confirmed, while the A-League Women's competition is set to run until April next year.