Conor McKenna will get the chance to become just the fourth Irish player to win an AFL Premiership title next weekend after he helped the Brisbane Lions defeat Carlton 79 to 63 at the Gabba on Saturday.
The Lions are unbeaten at home this season and made it 13 wins from 13, but they had to earn their victory the hard way after Carlton raced into an early 23-point lead in the first quarter with the five five goals of the game.
However, McKenna helped turn the game in his side’s favour with an excellent turnover before striking for goal from the best part of 50 metres out.
Read more: Tyrone SFC: Conor McKenna return “a pipe dream” as another Eglish star is ruled out for the season
Brisbane were the dominant team in the second half and ran out convincing 16-point winners to set up a crack at Collingwood in next Saturday’s decider at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
McKenna, who signed a new two-year deal with the Lions earlier this week, is bidding to become only the second Irish player to win both an AFL title and a senior All-Ireland title.
Tadhg Kennelly achieved both with Kerry and Sydney Swans while McKenna was an All-Ireland winner with his native Tyrone in 2021 before resuming his AFL career with Brisbane.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Brisbane Head Coach Chris Fegan remarked: “Conor McKenna wants to be an Irishman who plays in an AFL Final, so he played like that – he wants to play in the Grand Final next week. He’s a terrific story.”
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