Conor McKenna’s Brisbane Lions are up to second on the AFL ladder after running riot in the Queensland Derby (QClash) against the Gold Coast Suns in round 20 of the AFL season on Saturday.
The Lions, winners in their past eight consecutive games, are now on course to secure two home finals in September with only four rounds of the regular season remaining.
The 65-93 win inflicted the Suns first home defeat this season in front of a sold-out crowd of 21,043 at People First Stadium.
McKenna was subbed out of the game at three-quarter time after struggling to make an impact having been rested last week. The Tyrone Sam Maguire winner finished with only 4 kicks and 2 marks through three ineffective quarters.
Lions coach Chris Fagan was effusive in his praise for his team who were missing all of their key defenders but warned against complacency.
“There’s a long way to go … we haven’t done anything yet, but we’re giving ourselves a chance,” Fagan said.
Also, on Saturday Callum Brown’s Greater Western Sydney Giants won a two-point thriller 83-85 away to Melbourne at the MCG.
The Giants remain in fifth on the season ladder, just two points behind Brisbane, but Brown is no closer to regaining his place in the Giants best 22.
Since he was dropped to the reserves, the Giants have notched four consecutive wins.
Portloaise veteran Zach Tuohy was rested by Geelong in their 66-106 demolition of North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Tasmania on Saturday.
Tyrone-born Aidan Corr finished with 11 disposals (5 kicks & 6 handballs), 5 marks, and 1 tackle in the Kangaroos backline.
Geelong in sixth are one of four sides level on 48 points, separated only by percentage as the race for a top four spot heats up. North Melbourne remains second bottom.
On Sunday, Meath midfielder Conor Nash was named as one of Hawthorn’s best players in their 58-124 demolition of the Adelaide Crows at the Adelaide Oval.
The defeat ends any hope of the fifteenth placed Crows playing finals. In contrast the Hawks are up to ninth, only percentage behind the Western Bulldogs who occupy eighth on the ladder.
Nash collected 19 disposals (9 kicks & 10 handballs), 2 marks, and 5 tackles.
Cork dual star Mark Keane finished with 16 disposals (12 kicks & 4 handballs) and 5 marks in the Crows defence.