With several new Irish players on AFL rookie lists, it will be interesting to watch their progress in 2008 and see how many might get a chance at the top level. Meanwhile, four players from Ireland were named in their club's starting line-ups for Round 1 of the AFL season. Setanta O'hAilpin started the year in Carlton's senior side (though ultimately used off the bench), Tadhg Kennelly has been named in the back pocket for Sydney, Colm Begley off half-back for Brisbane and Martin Clarke at half-forward for Collingwood.

Disappointingly Setanta was used in the ruck where Carlton are under-manned but the tall Fijian Irishman again struggled to get his hand to the ball. His brief time in the forward line yielded 1.1 and he's also looked more accomplished in the backlines previously. Hopefully when the Blues establish a better ruck setup Setanta will be used elsewhere, rather than demoted.