
An AFL chief has revealed that the league is considering bringing in a drastic GAA-style rule change after an AFLW game on the weekend.
MacHale Rovers clubwoman Rachel Kearns went viral and captured headlines after, while playing for Geelong against Western Bulldogs on Friday, she executed a Gaelic football-style solo twice while running with the ball.
Solos are currently outlawed in Aussie Rules, but the officials in the game failed to call it a foul against Kearns, and the highlight garnered a lot of attention online.

The law currently states that a free kick will be awarded to a player who does not bounce or touch the football on the ground at least once every 15 metres, and that a player ‘who kicks or handballs the football to themself’ is no exception.
However, speaking on Wednesday morning, the executive general manager of the AFLW, Laura Kane revealed that the league would consider a rule change after seeing the excitement around Kearns’ highlight.
‘It’s not allowed right now, and it’s not allowed through the next four weeks, just to be clear – I’ve been asked to say that,’ she said at the launch of the AFLW finals. ‘But there are more than 45 Irish players that contribute to our game right now. We’ll have a look at it.’

Kearns’ Geelong Cats are up in the second qualifying final this Saturday against Melbourne, before North Melbourne face Carlton in the first qualifying final. North Melbourne captain Jasmine Garner was asked about the potential rule change and was open to it.
‘I actually like it,’ she said. ‘[Kearns] did run too far, but if it’s in the rules and you can do that, I think it’d be great for the game. Why not? Yeah, change the rules, and it’s exciting to watch.’
The Irish influence on Aussie Rules certainly doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.
RACHEL KEARNS WITH THE IRISH PARTY TRICKS 🤯
#AFLWCatsDogs https://t.co/pSpAAaxzzz
— AFL Women’s (@aflwomens) October 30, 2026









