Conor McKenna’s Brisbane Lions are into the top four on the AFL season ladder for the first time this season after their sixth consecutive victory of the season.
The Lions flew 4,300km across the other side of the continent to defeat the West Coast Eagles 93-106 in round 18 on Sunday. With only six rounds of the regular season remaining, Brisbane are now only two points behind Carlton in second on the season ladder.
McKenna had a quiet game for 8 disposals (7 kicks & 1 handballs) and 4 marks off the half-back flank.
Former Kilkenny hurler Darragh Joyce collected 12 disposals (9 kicks & 3 handballs) and 4 marks in defence.
On Friday Geelong defeated reigning premiers Collingwood 71-91 at the MCG to move up to third on the ladder.
Having notched three consecutive wins and with three of their last six fixtures at home, The Cats are now in pole position to finish in the top four.
Portloaise veteran finished with Zach Tuohy collected 19 disposals (16 kicks & 3 handballs) and 8 marks.
On Saturday, Meath’s elite midfielder Conor Nash was named as one of Hawthorn’s best players in their 87-74 defeat of Fremantle at UTAS Stadium in Launceston.
Nash collected 21 disposals (6 kicks & 15 handballs), 3 marks, and 2 tackles.
The Hawks remain in thirteenth place on the season ladder, just one win outside of the top eight finals spots.
Also on Saturday, Cork dual star Mark Keane was in action for the Adelaide Crows in their 71-39 defeat of Saint Kilda at The Adelaide Oval.
Keane notched 14 disposals (10 kicks & 4 handballs) and 2 tackles in defence.
The Crows are up to fourteenth on the season ladder, but on 26 points, are well out of finals contention.
The Sydney Swans, who are runaway ladder leaders and premiership favourites, demolished second-bottom side, the North Melbourne Kanagroos138-59 at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.
The Kangaroos have improved in recent weeks and are in a development phase with the youngest list in the AFL.
Tyrone-born Aidan Corr finished with 15 disposals (11 kicks & 4 handballs) and 5 marks in the Kangaroos defence.
There are currently five teams outside of the top eight separated by just one win and seven sides from eight to second on the ladder who are also just one win apart. The Sydney Swans are three wins clear of the rest, but the remaining seven finals contenders are all part of a logjam of teams vying for finals spots.
In other news, the AFLW pre-season fixtures have been released which presents Irish women with a race against time to be ready for the start of the 2024 season.
The TG4 All-Ireland Ladies’ SFC final is scheduled for August 4, which is only five days before all AFLW Match Simulation Trainings begin from 9-11 August. Practice Matches will start the week after from 16-18 August.
The 2024 AFLW season kicks off on August 30 during the men’s pre-finals bye.
