Two days after his five goal heroics for the Greater Western Sydney Giants in their opening round statement victory against the reigning premiers Collingwood at home on Saturday, former Derry underage star Callum Brown remains the talk of the AFL.
Speaking on Australian pay television, Giants coach Adam Kingsley was effusive in his praise for the Limavady club man who has only played 30 AFL senior matches since his 2021 debut but is now one of the first names on the 2023 preliminary finalist’s team sheet.
“I thought Callum Brown played his best game at AFL level on Saturday,” Kingsley said.
“He hasn’t played a lot of games, but for him to have hit the scoreboard and pressure the opposition like he did, will give him a lot of confidence.
“He’s such a dynamic player, he’s got great strengths, so he will get a lot of belief out of the game, so hopefully he can continue on.”
Brown’s family and girlfriend were amongst the capacity crowd of 21,235 supporters in attendance at Engie Stadium on Saturday night and were seen participating in the post-match celebrations in front of live TV cameras in the changing rooms as is the long-standing tradition in Australian rules.
“We had all of the families in the rooms after the game when Callum spoke very well in his post-game TV interview,” Kingsley said.
“He’s a big family man, he’s a lovely guy, and obviously being separated from his family so far away is tough at times, so for him to have them there to celebrate his game and our win on Saturday was really special.”
Callum Brown can't miss!
— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 9, 2024
That's 16.5 for the night as a team and a career-high FIVE for Brown #AFLGiantsPies pic.twitter.com/5vPlIKpMRQ
Mayo excitment machine Oisin Mullin has impressed in pre-season for Geelong. The Mayo defender played six senior games for the Cats last year having only joined the club in November 2022.
Mullin has penned a contract extension to remain at Geelong until the end of 2025 season and according to his development coach Nigel Lappin, is in contention for more senior honours this season.
“Oisin’s got some unique abilities,” Lappin explained.
“His ability to shut down some of the opposition’s best players, and not just their best players, their fastest ones.
“And then his want and will to join into the game again.”
Portloaise defender Zach Tuohy, who broke Jimmy Stynes’s 264-match record for the highest number of AFL games by an Irishman also predicts that his teammate has the talent to succeed in Australian rules.
“Professionalism – all those kinds of key things – Oisin has in abundance and his physical attributes are remarkable, despite his diminutive nature,” Tuohy said.
“He’s good to go physically. He’s a player.”
In AFLW, Dublin’s Elish O’Dowd has signed for GWS ahead of the 2024 season which kicks off in August.
The Ballinamore woman was on the Dublin team who celebrated winning an All-Ireland senior ladies’ football championship in last year’s final against Kerry by five-points.
O’Dowd has already hit the ground running in Australia. Last week she equalled the club’s all-time AFLW record for a 1.6km time trial.
“Eilish has been a star of Gaelic football back home for some time and after keeping a close eye on her last season we are rapt to have her become a GIANT for season 2024,” GIANTS Executive General Manager - Football Strategy and Operations, Briana Harvey, said.
“She has some very strong physical attributes that we think we can translate really well to AFLW and we’re excited by her versatility and her ability to play a variety of roles..
“Eilish’s aerobic capacity is at an elite level and seeing her tie the record for the ‘GIANT Mile’ was awesome to see and we’re excited about what she can bring to the group.
“Our list for the 2024 season is now complete and we can’t wait to utilise the upcoming VFLW (reserve team competition) season to get a head start on our preparations and be raring to go come the start of the AFLW season later in the year.”
