Callum Brown helped the Greater Western Sydney Giants to notch a seventh consecutive victory for the first time in their history on Saturday when they defeated the Western Bulldogs 73-78 in round 20 of the AFL season at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.
In-form GWS are now up to fifth on the season ladder and in pole position to play finals when the Limavady man could join Tyrone’s Conor McKenna as the two Ulster-born players to feature in the play-offs in September.
Brown booted a goal and a behind to finish the four quarters with 12 disposals (8 kicks & 4 handballs) and 6 marks. The Giants are unlikely to finish in the top four and qualify for a double chance of winning the premiership, but they are match for anyone on current form.
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Also on Saturday, McKenna played for the Brisbane Lions who were thrashed 96-55 by the Gold Coast Suns in the Queensland Derby (QClash) at Heritage Bank Stadium. The Lions, in third, should finish in the top four but their away form has left their top two hopes hanging by a thread.
Second place Port Adelaide have lost their past three consecutive matches and are only one win ahead of Brisbane, but the Lions have so far failed to capitalise with only four matches of the home and away season remaining.
A top two berth could earn Brisbane two home finals ahead of the grand final on September 30. McKenna collected 18 disposals (13 kicks & 5 handballs) and one mark for the visitors.
There was more drama on Saturday when Geelong were shocked 64-71 at home to Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium.
The struggling Cats may miss out on finals football and an opportunity to defend their 2022 Premiership altogether after back-back defeats and injuries to several key players.
Richmond’s defeat to Melbourne on Sunday minimised the damage on the ladder with Geelong in ninth, just a draw outside of the top eight finals spots, but realistically they will have to win their remaining four matches to be assured of September action. That appears to be a tall order on current form. Portlaoise veteran Zach Tuohy collected 18 disposals (12 kicks & 6 handballs) and 4 marks and also kicked a behind. Starting as one of Geelong’s two substitutes, Kerry defender Mark O’Connor also kicked a behind in a match tally of 8 disposals (7 kicks & 1 handballs) and 3 marks before being replaced in the second-quarter.
Cork’s Mark Keane played his first AFL game for two years on Saturday when he made his senior debut for the Adelaide Crows in their stunning 112-65 ‘Showdown’ win over Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval.
Keane struggled to contain Port’s superstar forward Charlie Dixon early on but he steadied to impress his coaches.
The Mitchelstown man, who played five senior games for Collingwood from 2019-2021, collected 13 disposals (9 kicks & 4 handballs) and 7 marks at the heart of Adelaide’s defence.
Remarkably, Keane is now Adelaide’s most experienced fit key defender in their late charge for a finals spot.
The Crows are 12th on the season ladder but are one of a logjam of six teams who could play finals if they win their remaining matches and other results go their way.
Adelaide paid for Keane’s father Eamonn and his partner Caoimhe to travel across the other side of the world to Australia, arriving just a few hours before the match started.
“Absolutely really appreciate that from the club,” the former Collingwood players said.
“They didn’t hesitate to fly them over so I really appreciate it.”
On Sunday, Meath forward Conor Nash played for Hawthorn in their 93-122 defeat to Saint Kilda at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium. Nash finished with 22 disposals (6 kicks & 16 handballs) and 2 marks for the third-bottom Hawks.
In the battle of the cellar dwellers, the West Coast Eagles defeated second-bottom North Melbourne 72-67 at Perth’s Optus Stadium. Both sides are barely AFL standard and have only won two matches apiece this season. The Eagles remain rooted to the bottom, below the Kangaroos on percentage.
Tyrone-born defender Aidan Corr collected 18 disposals (14 kicks & 4 handballs) and 4 marks for North Melbourne.
