Aileen Gilroy helped the North Melbourne Kangaroos to an emphatic victory over the Geelong Cats in the opening round of this season's Women's Aussie Rules campaign.

The Melbourne outfit scored 11 goals as they swept the Cats aside in a remarkable match which finished 11.5 (71) to 1.3 (9).

Playing on the right side of the half-back line, Mayo native Gilroy contributed to the overall performance with 13 disposals, 11 kicks and seven tackles, which leave the Kangaroos on top of the table after the first round of matches thanks to the emphatic scoreline. 

Orla O'Dwyer also enjoyed a winning start to the campaign as her Brisbane Lions proved too strong for Richmond at the Swinburne Centre.

Tipperary's O'Dwyer started the game at left wing and added one behind in the 5.11 (41) to 1.6 (12) victory. 

Áine Tighe's Fremantle Dockers proved too strong for Cora Staunton's GWS Giants, who were missing Brid Stack, who is recovering from her horror injury in a recent practice match.

Tighe, however, did not feature and is set for an extended spell on the sidelines as the Leitrim star is recovering from a knee injury. Mayo native Staunton, playing at full-forward was kept scoreless in 8.10 (58) to 4.4 (28) defeat.

Hannah Button and Ailish Considine (R) of the Crows celebrate a goal

RTÉ Sport columnist Ailish Considine was on the scoresheet as 2019 champions Adelaide Crows made a winning start against West Coast Eagles on Saturday.

Considine was one of six Crows goalscorers in the 56-18 win, as was Ebony Marinoff after her suspension for a pre-season challenge on Bríd Stack was overturned midweek.

Aisling McCarthy and Mayo sisters Niamh and Grace Kelly were on the losing Eagles side, Niamh kicking one of their two goals.

Sinéad Goldrick was the only one of the Melbourne Demons' trio of Dublin All-Ireland winners to feature in their 56-35 win at the Gold Coast Suns.

There was no Irish involvement in St Kilda's 51-42 win over Western Bulldogs on Friday but Cavan woman Aisling Sheridan kicked two goals as Collingwood defeated Carlton 33-27 in the season opener on Thursday.

Mayo star Sarah Rowe missed out for Collingwood with a minor shoulder complaint.