The AFL has confirmed its draw for week one of the men’s finals series next month and up to seven Irish players will feature at the business end of the longest season in history.
Greater Western Sydney Giants and Geelong finished in the top four and in so doing earned a double chance of winning the premiership at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 28.
Callum Brown (GWS), Zach Tuohy, Mark O’Connor, and Oisin Mullin (all Geelong) could all feature as top four players but only Tuohy is a first-choice player.
Former Derry underage player Brown was revelling in the season of his life but in round 8 was suspended for three weeks for an ugly clash with Sydney Swans defender Tom McCartin. Brown proved his class by texting McCartin as a priority following the incident and GWS teammates and coaches insisted they have never witnessed a more apologetic player.
However, when he returned Brown struggled to replicate his career-best form and was dropped in round 17. Brown has since be relegated to the reserves, but he came on as a substitute in yesterday’s defeat to the Western Bulldogs in the final round of the regular season.
Conor McKenna and Darragh Joyce (both Brisbane) and Conor Nash (Hawthorn) will have to win four consecutive matches to win the premiership.
Only two sides have climbed that mountain since 1997, which underlines the magnitude of the task ahead of them, but on the flip side, this season has been the closest in memory so it would not be a shock if teams 5-8 on the ladder won the season decider.
McKenna is Brisbane’s first choice half-back, but the Tyrone Sam Maguire winner was dropped in round 20 and only returned to the Lions senior team for Saturday’s victory over Essendon at the Gabba.
The 2024 AFL finals series will kick off on Thursday September 5 when Port Adelaide will host Geelong in the second qualifying final at the Adelaide Oval. The winner will go through to a preliminary final a fortnight later, whilst the loser will play a semi-final the following week.
On Friday, September 6, the Western Bulldogs will play Hawthorn in the second elimination final. The winner will progress to a semi-final whilst the losers will be out.
On Saturday, September 7, the Sydney Swans, who won the minor premiership after finishing top of the ladder, will host GWS at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the first qualifying final.
On the same day, Brisbane will host Carlton in the first elimination final at the Gabba. The Lions missed out on the chance to host two home finals after finishing fifth, but they will be at home for the do or die clash against the Navy Blues.