Friday, 15 February 2019:

YVONNE BONNER of the Giants is tackled during the round two AFLW match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and North Melbourne Kangaroos at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney, Australia.

Irishwoman Yvonne Bonner regards holding the ball the trickiest rule to understand, as is often the case when somebody is introduced to Australian football.

But unlike most foreigners, the GWS forward's crash course in the intricacies and interpretations of prior opportunity has involved playing at the highest level rather than watching from the cheap seats.

The Giants have embraced the Irish experiment more readily than any other AFLW club, following up the recruitment of Gaelic football royalty Cora Staunton with that of Donegal's Bonner.

The Irish duo will play pivotal roles against Carlton at Sydney's Blacktown Oval on Saturday, with GWS chasing their first win of the season.

Bonner's form in the opening fortnight of competition is remarkable given she was signed with almost no understanding of the sport and is very much learning on the run.

"I was caught a few times in the first game for holding onto the ball," she told AAP.

"I really wasn't too sure about the actual ins and outs of that rule. I've now got my head around it, I think.

"I'm learning a lot faster by playing games. You remember things a lot more if you give away a penalty."

"I was called for a penalty against North Melbourne (for encroaching into the restricted zone). I knew the rule but it's one of those small wee things, you do it before you realise it and it's costly."

Bonner has also had to quickly come to grips with tactics and the added physicality.

"I'm kind of like not aware. Not ready for the hits and stuff. I'm almost playing a Gaelic style still and just going clean for the ball," she said.

Bonner noted coach Al McConnell has never put pressure on, instead urging the raw recruit to "try to get the structures right" but not at the expense of playing with the same freedom she did in Ireland.

The advice of Staunton, a superstar in Ireland, has also been particularly relevant.

"She's been through the same thing last year ... and is still learning," Bonner said.

Bonner debuted after what McConnell estimated to be 12 training sessions, having missed a large chunk of pre-season.

The 31-year-old kicked a goal in each of the Giants' losses and has used the ball at 78 per cent efficiency.

Staunton, Collingwood's Sarah Rowe, Western Bulldog Aisling McCarthy and Adelaide's Ailish Considine are the other Irishwomen on AFLW lists.

AAP