Sport

AFL round-up: Brisbane Lions rest McKenna but edge out statement win over Sydney Swans

Ex-Kilkenny hurler Joyce plays part in Lions win as Geelong miss chance to make up ground

Darragh Joyce of the Lions in action during the round 19 AFL match between Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans at The Gabba, on July 21, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Darragh Joyce of the Lions in action during the round 19 AFL match between Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans at The Gabba, on July 21, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images) (Albert Perez)
By Ahmer Khokhar

In the closest AFL finals race for nearly three decades, Conor McKenna was rested by the Brisbane Lions on Sunday in their statement 79-77 defeat of runaway ladder leaders and premiership favourites, the Sydney Swans at the Gabba.

The Lions are now up to third on the season ladder after a possible Grand Final dress rehearsal in round 19 of the regular season.

Former Kilkenny hurler Darragh Joyce, collected 15 disposals (14 kicks & 1 handball) and 7 marks in the Lions backline.

Geelong missed the opportunity to cement their place in the top four after losing at home to the Western Bulldogs 48-95 on Saturday.

The Cats had resurrected their season after winning their past three consecutive matches but despite starting as favourites at their GMHBA Stadium fortress were second best for much of the wet night.

Portloaise veteran Zach Tuohy collected 20 disposals (15 kicks & 5 handballs), 4 marks, and 2 tackles.

Geelong is down to sixth on the season ladder but are only a draw behind Brisbane in second with five matches remaining.

Also on Saturday, Meath midfielder Conor Nash was named as one of Hawthorn’s best players in their 133-678 thrashing of reigning premier Collingwood at the MCG.

Having established himself as one of the elite midfielders in the AFL, Nash is expected to shun rival offers and pen a new deal when his contract expires at the end of the season. His new contract is expected to be in the region of around 500,000 Pounds a season.

Nash finished with 29 disposals (15 kicks & 14 handballs), 8 tackles, and gained 443 metres.

Hawthorn in eleventh is only a draw outside of the top eight.

On Friday, Cork dual star Mark Keane was in action for the Adelaide Crows in their thrilling 113-115 defeat of Essendon at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.

Speaking post-match, Keane expressed confidence that he will sign a new deal for the Crows at the end of the season despite being courted by his old club Collingwood and other rival clubs.

The key defender tallied 12 disposals (8 kicks & 4 handballs), 2 marks and 1 tackle.

The Crows in fourteenth spot are mathematically still in finals reckoning but would have to win all of their remaining five matches and hope that other results got their way.

On Sunday, Tyrone-born Aidan Corr collected for second bottom North Melbourne Kangaroos who lost 107-88 to Carlton at Marvel Stadium.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 16: Callum M. Brown of the Giants celebrates kicking a goal with team mates during the round 14 AFL match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Port Adelaide Power at ENGIE Stadium, on June 16, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Callum Brown is struggling for game-time with GWS Giants (Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

In other AFL news former Derry underage footballer Callum Brown is facing an uphill struggle to regain his place in the GWS senior side.

Since being dropped, ‘the Orange Tsunami’ have won their past three consecutive matches to move up fifth on the ladder; one win shy of Carlton in second.

The AFLW season kicks off on the weekend of August 30, during the men’s pre-finals bye, and earlier this week Donegal teammates Amy Boyle-Carr (Adelaide Crows) and Niamh McLaughlin (Gold Coast Suns) jetted back into Australia to kick off their pre-season training programmes.