Tyrone All-Ireland winner Conor McKenna is in a race against time to be fit for round one of the new AFL season.
The Eglish club man broke down with a strained hamstring in a Brisbane Lions intra-club match last week and has been ruled out of the Lions forthcoming pre-season matches against the Gold Coast next week and the Sydney Swans the week after.
The 2024 AFL season kicks off two weeks earlier than ever on March 7. A three-week timescale has been placed on McKenna’s return to full fitness, leaving his hopes of playing in Brisbane’s season opener at home to Carlton at the Gabba on March 8 in the balance.
The Lions remain optimistic that their damaging half-back will regain fitness in time to play in round one but there are no guarantees.
After helping Tyrone to win the Sam Maguire in 2021, McKenna returned to the AFL at the end of 2022.
The former Essendon Bombers defender was an ever-present for the Lions last year, playing in all 26 matches in their charge to a first Grand Final appearance since 2004.
McKenna penned a two-year contract extension last year and in so doing passed the 100-game milestone. He has so far played a total of 105 AFL games, including 79 for Melbourne-based Essendon.
Despite enduring the agony of Grand Final defeat to Collingwood (90-86) in one of the most thrilling season decider’s in history last year, Lions coach Chris Fagan believes his charges are firmly in the premiership window again this time around.
“Our group now have played in a Grand Final,” Fagan said.
“I said to them after the Grand Final, ‘Before today, we had three blokes that have played a Grand Final, now we’ve got 23 and you’ll all be better for the experience’.
“We milked that for all it was worth in the two or three days post the Grand Final just to remember the lessons and lock them away in the vault.
“Hopefully, we get back and get another chance.”
The Lions were unbeatable at home last year but have failed to win a single game at the MCG for a decade, despite some narrow losses. They will have to end that horror run to be in with a chance of winning the 2024 Premiership.
In other news, the 2024 AFLW will also kick off earlier than last year with round one starting in the last week of August.
The opening round of the AFLW will coincide with the men’s pre-finals bye.
AFLW players will return to their clubs for pre-season training on Monday, June 3.
AFL’s Executive General Manager Football Laura Kane confirmed the new schedule but stopped short of revealing a date for the AFLW Grand Final this year.
“After a record-breaking season eight and the best finals campaign in our history, the NAB AFLW Competition is poised to go from strength to strength this year and are looking forward to having the players back on the training ground in early June,” Kane said.
“We’re pleased to launch the NAB AFLW Season during the pre-finals bye once again which gives the competition a clear window to get off to a great start and build momentum ahead of another incredible season..”