Football

AFL Round 11: Finals look beyond the reach of Conor McKenna Down Under

Sam Maguire winner McKenna collected 16 disposals (14 kicks & 2 handballs), 4 marks, 1 tackle, and also kicked 1 behind in defeat.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Conor McKenna of the Lions kicks during the round eight AFL match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at The Gabba, on May 05, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )
AFL Rd 8 - Brisbane v Gold Coast BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Conor McKenna of the Lions kicks during the round eight AFL match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at The Gabba, on May 05, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images ) (Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
By Ahmed Khokar

Conor McKenna’s prospects of playing AFL finals football in September nosedived when the Brisbane Lions lost 100-75 away to Hawthorn at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium this morning.

The Lions in thirteenth spot on the season ladder are 4-6 for the season with one draw. Last year’s Grand Final runners-up are 10 points (4 points for a win & 2 for a draw)outside of the top eight and will have to pull off a miracle in the second half of the season to feature in the play-offs.

Tyrone Sam Maguire winner McKenna collected 16 disposals (14 kicks & 2 handballs), 4 marks, 1 tackle, and also kicked 1 behind.

On the opposite side, Meath’s Conor Nash collected 14 disposals (8 kicks & 6 handballs), 3 marks, and 3 tackles for the Hawks who moved up to 14th on the season ladder following their fifth consecutive victory over Brisbane.

Ahead of the mid-way point of the home and away season next week, Geelong’s season is also in freefall after a fourth consecutive defeat. The Cats lost 74-78 at home to the Greater Western Sydney Giants at GMHBA Stadium.

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Former Derry underage footballer Callum Brown served the final match of his three-match suspension for GWS who ended a run of three consecutive losses with a crucial win that lifts them to fifth on the season ladder; only percentage behind Melbourne in fourth.

Geelong in sixth are now one of a logjam of five teams with a 7-4 record for the season but on current form will struggle to finish in the top eight.

Veteran Portloaise midfielder Zach Tuohy-booted a stunning long-range first quarter goal when the hosts were in the ascendency. Tuohy finished the four quarters with 24 disposals (15 kicks & 9 handballs), 4 marks, and 1 tackle.

On Saturday, Tyrone-born Aidan Corr played his 150th AFL game for the winless Kangaroos in their 48-107 hammering by Port Adelaide at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena in Tasmania.

Former GWS defender Corr tallied 14 disposals (11 kicks & 3 handballs), 7 marks, and 1 tackle.

On Sunday, Cork defender Mark Keane helped the Adelaide Crows to improve their finals prospects after they demolished the West Coast Eagles 137-38 at The Adelaide Oval.

Keane finished 20 disposals (17 kicks & 3 handballs), 8 marks, and 3 tackles for the 12th place Crows, who are 6 points off the top eight.