A SEVERE wrist injury which forced Aisling McCarthy to the sidelines last season changed the Irishwoman's perspective on footy and her role as a leader.

"One of the real strands of my leadership is probably on the field, just putting my body on the line and things. So, when I'm not able to do that, I did feel you know, a bit outside the group," McCarthy told womens.afl.

"I did have players come to me and chat to me about different things and I did feel like I could contribute in that way, which was really good."

02:35

'Our football club is in good hands': New heights ahead for star Eagle

West Coast Eagles' Aisling McCarthy discusses her injury interrupted season six, leadership style and the future of the club

McCarthy made her debut with the Western Bulldogs in 2019 and after 12 games over two seasons made the move to West Coast for the 2021 season. It hasn't been easy, though, as she battled persistent knee injuries last year and then last season's broken wrist.

"Every player obviously, they train all year to be out on the park with their teammates. So yeah, it was really tough … I've been doing extras in the gym and things like that to make sure that hopefully I don't get injured come this season," McCarthy said.

Aisling McCarthy after hurting her wrist during the R5 clash between West Coast and Geelong on February 4, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

"The main thing is just making the most of that and realising that in sport, anything can happen so when you're out there just to give it your all."

The shortened off-season added another layer of pressure to McCarthy in her mission to get back to full fitness. Choosing to stay in Australia to "give AFLW a really good go" instead of returning to Ireland for a Gaelic season was the first step so she could be diligent with her rehabilitation.

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"It was always probably my plan to stay here during the off-season … it was my onus to try and get the best out of myself and realise my potential," she said.

"With (the season) being fast-tracked and brought forward, it just made me work that bit harder. It's really exciting to have a second season in the one year and just be able to put out what we've learned from last season and try to put our best foot forward and try to learn from it and put a better version of West Coast out there this year."

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Eagles break drought with coast-to-coast ripper

Aisling McCarthy kicks the first goal of the game as she finished off this brilliant end-to-end team-play

Part of that extra time in Australia was also spent becoming a dual citizen of Ireland and Australia. McCarthy's mother was born in Victoria, allowing her to apply after a tedious process and lots of paperwork, but her new passport has removed an extra layer of stress Irish players must contend with.

"I'm very fortunate, lucky to have it. I know a lot of other Irish people out here that have been here six or seven years and don't have it so I'm very grateful. It just makes travelling between Australia and Ireland a bit better and it opens up opportunities to work as well outside of footy but my main focus is always football, but it'll give me a bit more of a balance as well," McCarthy said.

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"Constantly every year, (Irish players) have to get visas that are only temporary. Mine is actually going to run up in September. So, it's just having that weight off my shoulders."

But now it's time to switch focus to round one and the host of new faces who will run out in the blue and gold this season who McCarthy thinks can help the club build a successful program.

"I think our football club is in really good hands," she said.