Conor McKenna and Callum Brown were both in reserves action (VFL) this weekend whilst their Brisbane Lions and Greater Western Sydney teammates boosted their top four hopes with crucial victories in round 21 of the AFL season.
On Sunday, Brisbane notched their ninth consecutive victory after demolishing Saint Kilda 39-124 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
The ladder leaders the Sydney Swans are in freefall, so the Lions just two points behind in second, could win the minor premiership by finishing top of the regular season ladder with only three matches of the league campaign remaining.
The Lions are the in-form team in the competition and are rapidly becoming premiership favourites.
Also on Sunday, Greater Western Sydney Giants produced a fairytale finish to defeat Hawthorn 84-82 at Manuka Oval in Canberra. GWS booted seven goals in the fourth quarter to win the thrilling contest and move up to third on the season ladder.
Meath midfielder Conor Nash, who signed a new five-year deal earlier this week, collected 20 disposals (6 kicks & 14 handballs) in Hawthorn’s midfield.
Hawthorn’s finals hopes are now in the balance. They are down to tenth on the season ladder but are only one game outside of the top eight finals spots.
The Hawks will likely have to win all of their remaining three matches and hope that other results go their way to play finals.
On Saturday, Geelong moved up to fifth, behind Brisbane, Port Adelaide, and GWS only on percentage after defeating the Adelaide Crows 90-85 in another thriller at GMHBA Stadium.
Portlaoise veteran Zach Tuohy finished the four quarters with 18 disposals (11 kicks & 7 handballs) and 4 marks for Geelong.
Tyrone-born Aidan Corr celebrated North Melbourne’s third victory of the season on Saturday afternoon when the Kangaroos defeated the Richmond Tigers 90-77 at Marvel Stadium .
Corr collected 23 disposals (14 kicks & 9 handballs) and 13 marks in the Kangaroos defence. North Melbourne remains second from bottom on the season ladder.
In other news, Donegal footballer Amy Boyle-Carr made her first appearance for the Adelaide Crows in an intra-club practice match at the club’s West Lakes training headquarters on Friday morning.
The Glenties woman only arrived in South Australia a fortnight ago but has taken to Australian rules like a duck to water.
“All of our new players had moments and demonstrated they’re going to be able to play at the level,” Crows AFLW Senior Coach Mattjew Clarke said.
“Amy Boyle-Carr also played her first 55 minutes of match sim, (simulation) and she took a nice intercept mark, made a couple of nice handball decisions.
“Given she’s only been training for a week-and-a-half, she should be feeling really happy with how she performed.”
The 2024 AFLW season kicks-off in the last weekend of August during the men’s pre-finals bye.