BY AHMER KHOKHAR
Oisin Mullin showcased his seamless transition to Australian Rules football with another impressive display in Geelong’s crucial 75-97 win over the Western Bulldogs in round 12 of the AFL on Saturday.
After losing three consecutive matches on two occasions this season, the reigning premiers are back in the top eight final spots and are 6-6 for the season heading into their mid-season bye.
Mullin (23) has only played two senior matches at half-back for the Cats but he has made a mockery of the perceived difficulty for Gaelic footballers in terms in adapting to the oval ball (Sherrin) used in the AFL. The only difficulty that the Mayo Allstar has had is learning the words to the Geelong team song, but in front of live TV cameras at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, he proved he’s a quick learner by belting out the right words alongside his jubilant teammates.
"For me personally (my goal) is to keep developing my game and doing my best to contribute to the team in a positive way,” Mullin said.
“My debut came as a surprise to me. It’s a privilege that the coaches had so much faith in my ability to get me out there after just three VFL (reserve team competition) games, I was just delighted that.
“You are always hopeful, each week that was passing I thought I was building but I wouldn’t have put a bet on that I would be playing so soon.”
Mullin collected 10 disposals (3 kicks & 7 handballs) and one mark. Portloaise attacking half-back Zach Tuohy booted a stunning first-quarter goal when he kicked a left-foot thunderbolt from just inside Geelong’s 50 metre forward arc. Overall Tuohy collected 20 disposals (13 kicks & 7 handballs) and 4 marks. Kerry midfielder Mark O’Connor finished with identical stats to Mullin; 10 disposals (3 kicks & 7 handballs) and 1 mark.
Despite their impressive win, Geelong are facing an uphill task to win back-back premierships. They have one of the toughest draws in the AFL for the second half of the season and are two wins off the top four. Only two sides have won a premiership from outside of the top four since 1997.
Also on Saturday, Port Adelaide hammered lowly Hawthorn 151-96 at the Adelaide Oval. Port could have won by a cricket score but for a late Hawks second-half fightback which added some respectability to the score line. Meath forward Conor Nash, who has been in career best form this season, collected 21 disposals (4 kicks & 17 handballs) and 1 mark for the third-bottom Hawks.
On Sunday, Greater Western lost a nailbiter 104-110 to the Richmond Tigers at Giants Stadium in Sydney. Scores were level until Marlion Pickett booted a winner for the Tigers with just twenty seconds remaining until the final siren.
Callum Brown booted a stunning long-range goal in the first quarter. The Derry defender finished with a match tally of 10 disposals (7 kicks & 3 handballs) and 6 marks for the 15th place Giants who are out of finals contention.
