There will be a strong Irish presence in next month’s AFL finals series after the longest home and away season on record came to an end following a weekend of intense drama in round 24.
On Sunday, former Derry underage footballer Callum Brown came on as a fourth-quarter tactical substitute for the Greater Western Sydney Giants in their 98-61 defeat to the Western Bulldogs at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.
The Limavady man has been relegated to the reserves since losing his place in Round 17 but has never let his head drop.
Brown collected three kicks (two kicks & one handball) and two tackles during the last term.
Despite the defeat, GWS finished fourth on the ladder and in so doing secured a double chance of winning the first AFL premiership in their history.
On Saturday, Conor McKenna returned to the Brisbane Lions senior team for the first time since his axing in round 20.
The Tyrone Sam Maguire winner regained his form in the reserves in recent weeks and produced a solid four-quarter effort in the Lions’ 87-67 victory over Essendon at the Gabba.
McKenna collected 15 disposals (13 kicks & 2 handballs) and 4 marks off the half-back flank.
Former Kilkenny hurler Darragh Joyce finished with five disposals, one mark, and one tackle in the Lions’ defence.
Brisbane, who finished the season in fifth, will have to win four consecutive matches to win the premiership.
Geelong in contrast secured third spot after demolishing the West Coast Eagles 168-75 at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
Zach Tuohy, 34, brought the house down when he booted a sensational third-quarter goal from inside Geelong’s 50m arc and celebrated by showcasing a heart emoji to the crowd in his final league game ahead of his retirement at season’s end.
The Portlaoise legend tallied 16 disposals (9 kicks & 7 handballs) and 2 marks.
“Zach has quickly become a lot of people’s favourite player,” Geelong coach Chris Scott said.
“It’s much, much better to be alive (for finals) and to have a chance to do something great and finish that way.”
Also on Saturday, Hawthorn, the in-form side in the competition, hammered the North Melbourne Kangaroos 170-46 in Launceston to finish the season in seventh spot.
Only two sides have won the premiership from outside of the top four since 1997, but Hawthorn have as good a chance as any of the other seven finals bounds teams this time around.
Meath midfielder Conor Nash collected 12 disposals (8 kicks & 4 handballs), 3 tackles, and 1 behind.
Tyrone-born Aidan Corr collected 9 disposals (6 kicks & 3 handballs), 5 marks, and 1 tackle for the second-bottom Kangaroos.
