Irishman’s fresh Roos start after Brissie “blessing and curse”

Irishman Darragh Joyce has made his home at a third AFL club with North Melbourne.

The 29-year-old was picked up by the Kangaroos as a delisted free agent last week after being let go by the Brisbane Lions.

Across four seasons he played 14 games for the Lions including three in 2026 after previously featuring 13 times at AFL level for St Kilda.

Joyce admitted he found it hard to break into Brisbane’s three-time premiership side, and is now keen to start again at Arden Street.

“It’s a blessing and a curse. It’s lovely to be part of such a successful environment and organisation,” Joyce told SEN’s Sportsday.

“But the opportunity wasn’t there for me. I took some great learnings alongside Harris Andrews, Ryan Lester and these guys, that was really good.

“North Melbourne is a fresh start for me.”

Joyce has packed up his life in Brisbane to return to Melbourne where he’s looking for a place to live somewhere near the beach.

He says he has taken solace that new senior coach Jaymie Graham is experiencing the same.

“I had a chat to Jaymie and it’s pretty new for him as well. He was telling about his move over and he’s still trying to sort out a place to live,” Joyce added.

“We’re going through that together. He’s s really nice gentleman of a man.”

Joyce’s arrival comes at an opportune time given there are a few injuries in the Roos’ defensive ranks.

Griffin Logue underwent a full shoulder reconstruction in the off-season for a non-footy injury. He won’t be able to join in with contact training until at least January.

Toby Pink also has a shoulder issue, undergoing a ‘stabilisation procedure’ in June.

That situation might give Joyce the opportunity to play some senior footy in royal blue and white in 2027.

“I’m not too familiar with the ins and outs of everyone’s injuries,” the former Kilkenny hurler said.

“I think there are a few injuries, but I’m just going to put my head down, do my best, be a good teammate, and do what I can do to make the place better.

“Defence is obviously something that they want to work on so I think my leadership and voice can really impact there. Hopefully I can hit the ground running.

“My defence has aways been a strength and I’m a tough bugger so I don’t mind doing the hard yards. It’s the offence that has probably been my biggest improvement up there (at Brisbane).

“When you look at the likes of Ryan Lester and the way Brisbane move the ball with the short 45 kick, my offence has gone to another level while at Brisbane.

“I’m excited to put that on show for North Melbourne.”

If this AFL lifeline from the Roos never came about, Joyce was pondering what might be next.

He’s always had an “itch to scratch” in regards to momentarily returning to Ireland to try his luck at the top level of hurling with his beloved Kilkenny.

“I was a little bit up in the air as to what I would do, if an opportunity came, or would I go home and play hurling again,” he added.

“But I’m really happy there’s something in place and I’m back here, and day one (at pre-season training) went really well so just keen to give it as good a crack as I can.”

Joyce says he has a passion for coaching and the development of youth, but insists he’ll keep playing footy for as long as he can.

He joined North alongside fellow DFAs Elijah Tsatas and Samson Ryan who had been delisted by Essendon and Richmond respectively.