Oisin Mullin was the AFL’s equivalent of Nick Daicos in Gaelic footy before crossing to Australia, according to Geelong teammate Patrick Dangerfield.
Irish VFL/AFL games record holder and ex-Cat Zach Tuohy has also previously referred to Mullin as the ‘Nick Daicos of Ireland’ for how highly regarded he was in the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) before making the bold switch to AFL in 2021.
Well, Mullin just had his finest moment yet on an AFL field, clamping Lions star Hugh McCluggage in Geelong’s dominant qualifying final win last Friday night.
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Along with Mullin kicking his first career goal late in the first quarter, how fitting that his parents, Jarlath and Noreen, made the trip to the MCG to witness it.
“Honestly, I’d kicked a few behinds, so it was becoming a bit of a joke within the club! I think the commentators would announce most games as well if I was having a set shot. So it’s nice to get that off the back,” Mullin said post-match.
“My parents arrived (in Melbourne) on Tuesday as well, so that made it even more special and nicer … they were up and about.”
It might’ve been fate. At least, according to his dad it was.
“Last shot at goal I missed, my dad said to my mum on the couch: ‘He’s saving it for when we go over’,” Mullin added.
“He calls himself a bit of a psych on that one. Pretty happy with them being here tonight.”
His folks mightn’t fully realise it. But as good a moment as that first goal was, locking down McCluggage in a final is the real father in the cap as the Irish tagger took another big scalp.
In fact, Mullin held the 2025 All-Australian to a season-low 14 disposals to play a crucial part in helping Chris Scott’s side secure a preliminary final berth.
Not bad for a bloke just 41 games into his career who was playing Gaelic footy for Kilmaine five years ago.
“I don’t focus too much on it. I’ve got to stick to our own game plan as well, or it will drag us apart as a collective if I hyper focus on it,” Mullin said of the McCluggage assignment.
“It’s not too intricate or complicated. It’s a pretty straightforward role, just try to nullify his impact on the game.
“I guess I was a little bit (surprised how well I did). He’s obviously a star player for Brisbane.
“I was pretty happy with how I was going, he wasn’t having much impact of the game and that was my main role.”
Even Cats coach Chris Scott acknowledged after the win Mullin is “another example of a player that’s become important to us.” The 25-year old has consolidated his spot in Scott’s side in 2025, missing just one AFL game due to injury.
Mullin isn’t sure why the coaches assigned him to McCluggage over Lachie Neale or Josh Dunkley, saying he “doesn’t ask too many questions” and is just “happy to do the role.”
That defensive specialist role has seen Mullin raise his reputation this season after negating some of the biggest stars in the game including Nick Daicos, Zak Butters, Ed Richards, Zach Merrett and Finn Callaghan. You can add McCluggage to the hit list.
So what’s Mullin’s secret?
It might just be in the Irish DNA. Geelong executed a double tag last Friday night, with fellow Irishman Mark O’Connor quelling Cam Rayner’s influence.
Mullin backs his coaches’ advice and defensive instincts, which he thinks differ from those who’ve played AFL their whole lives. And the third-year player admitted he “stays away” from engaging in verbal mind games given he’s “definitely not great with the lip”.
“Neither me or Mark (O’Connor) grew grow up playing footy, so I guess I that natural instinct of ‘see ball, get ball’ isn’t there from the beginning,” he said.
“So the coaches can kind of coach you another way. It makes that (defensive) role easier for us.”
Geelong has arguably had more success than any club with recruiting talent from Ireland. For only four Irishman — O’Connor, Zach Tuohy, Conor McKenna and Tadgh Kennedy — have won an AFL premiership, and two of them were in the blue and white hoops.
Mullin, who earlier this year was rewarded with a two-year extension, is the latest success story as he looks to become the fifth Irishman to win a flag after getting his first taste of finals last year.
“It’s pretty cool. It’s not really something I thought of,” he said of the possibility of winning a premiership.
“Even in last year’s finals, I feel like I probably took the whole event of it for granted, especially the opportunity I got so early in my career.
“But definitely something I’m grateful for to have the opportunity again and I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens.”
Mullin credited Jim Stynes for the way he “really paved the pathway” for Irishman in Australian rules. And the thinks the success of the likes of O’Connor, McKenna, Conor Nash and Mark Keane in more recent times has “put AFL more on the map back home” and “makes it more appealing” for fellow countrymen to follow in their footsteps.
Any other Irish Nick Daicoses out there?
“I had my combine back in 2019 held in Dublin. That’s a great opportunity for players to get to know about the game. Hopefully that continues, because I’ve loved the opportunity I’ve had here and I’m loving the AFL,” he added.
“Hopefully more Irish lads can make the transition over.”
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