This Saturday, the AFL final is set to take place, and from an Irish sports perspective, all eyes will be on Conor McKenna, the Tyrone footballer who won the All-Ireland in 2021.
McKenna will be representing the Brisbane team, and if they emerge victorious, he will become only the second Irishman to win both an All-Ireland and an AFL title.
McKenna, who has been in impressive form lately, has timed his run nicely, getting fit again and finding his groove as a handy substitute for coach Chris Fagan at either end of the park.
When asked about the possibility of joining an elite group of Irishmen who have won titles in both countries, McKenna said,
That would be pretty amazing... But I've only been here two years. To get the win for the boys that have been here 10 years, when they were getting wooden spoons, for them it'd be unbelievable.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan expressed his pride in his team, saying,
I'm feeling very proud of our group, not just for the resilience they've shown tonight but the resilience they've shown throughout the year.
The Brisbane Lions have touched down in Melbourne ahead of their State of Origin like Grand Final showdown this weekend. But, excitement has turned to stress for thousands of fans caught up in a ticketing nightmare. https://t.co/VZ3A1cGXPF @NedBalmeLives #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/pk8HaDfti0
— 7NEWS Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) September 25, 2024
Meanwhile, Sydney coach John Longmire highlighted the importance of learning and adaptability, stating,
We'll learn more about ourselves this week. You're just always learning. Whether you're a coach or a player, regardless of what game it is, you always go in with an open mind and understand that you're always going to learn a little bit about yourselves.
You take a little bit out of that into the future. That's always been the case and that's always what we'll do.
The stage is set 👊🏽#Bloods pic.twitter.com/QCqNHvPVYX
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) September 21, 2024
This highly anticipated match is set to be an intense and thrilling encounter, with McKenna's potential to make history adding an extra layer of excitement.
Will Brisbane emerge victorious, or will Sydney spoil the party? Tune in on Saturday to find out.
When is Brisbane v Sydney?
The AFL Grand Final is set to take on this Saturday, September 28, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with kick-off scheduled for 5:30 am.
How can I watch Brisbane v Sydney?
The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1
