Callum Brown was on top form for Greater Western Sydney Giants who notched their sixth consecutive victory (103-63) of the AFL season in a crucial round 19 home fixture against the Gold Coast Suns at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Sunday.
The Giants are in seventh now in the top eight finals spots for the first time since round one and on current form could feature in September’s finals series.
The Limavady man kicked another two goals to take his career tally to 16 in 21 senior games for GWS. Brown is now in contention to join Brisbane's Conor McKenna as two Ulster-born players to feature in finals football.
The former Oak Leaf minor player is thriving in the GWS forward line where he has established himself as a first-choice starter this term.
Brown finished the four quarters with 8 disposals (5 kicks & 3 handballs), 3 marks and a behind.
- Read more: Callum Brown watching Oak Leaf rise from afar as Limavady man extends AFL stay
Despite their stunning recent form, first year Giants coach Adam Kingsley has warned his players to avoid complacency in their push for finals.
"We're capable (of playing finals), but there's still games to go and we've got to beat teams around us and above us," Kingsley said.
"Clearly we're thereabouts, but we've still got plenty of work to do and we're not getting ahead of ourselves.
"We're sitting in the finals right now but that can change really quickly, and we're mindful we've got to remain really hungry for each contest."
On Saturday, Conor McKenna was named as one of the Brisbane Lions' best players in their 64-53 home victory over Geelong at the Gabba.
McKenna booted a stunning long-range goal from just outside Brisbane’s forward 50-metre arc in the second quarter to cap an impressive display in which he collected 23 disposals (18 kicks & 5 handballs) and 3 marks off the half-back flank.
The Lions, in third, are now just one win behind second place Port Adelaide with five rounds of the regular season remaining.
A top four finish will ensure a double chance of winning the premiership in September, but a top two berth could potentially be rewarded with two home finals ahead of the grand final at the MCG on September 30.
Geelong dropped to eighth on the season ladder with their top four hopes all but over.
The reigning premiers could even miss out on finals altogether with improving Carlton in ninth and Richmond in tenth both level on points with Geelong which underscores how tight the race for the top eight spots has become in the closing rounds of the regular season.
Portloaise veteran Zach Tuohy collected 17 disposals (12 kicks & 5 handballs) and 1 mark. He also booted a behind.
Kerry defender Mark O’Connor finished with 15 disposals (13 kicks & 2 handballs) and 8 marks.
Mayo sensation Oisin Mullin tallied two disposals in his role as Geelong’s substitute for the second consecutive game.
Also on Saturday, Meath forward Conor Nash chipped in with 18 disposals (10 kicks & 8 handballs) and 3 marks for Hawthorn in their agonising 96-95 defeat to Richmond at the MCG.
The third-bottom Hawks were the better side for three-quarters but Richmond rallied to kick the final six goals of the game as Hawthorn ran out of steam.
On Sunday, Tyrone-born Aidan Corr collected 21 disposals (15 kicks & 6 handballs) and 8 marks for second-bottom North Melbourne who lost 69-61 to Saint Kilda at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.
