Callum Brown’s prospects of playing in his first AFL finals series for the Greater Western Sydney Giants were rocked on Saturday when the Giants seven-match winning streak was ended by the Sydney Swans (85-96) at Giants stadium in the round 21 Sydney Derby.
The Giants in eighth are still in finals contention but will likely have to win their remaining three matches of the home and away season to be assured of September action.
Including the Giants there are seven teams vying for three finals spots, separated only by one win from the Western Bulldogs in sixth on the ladder to Essendon in 12th.
Brown booted two goals, including an exquisite third-quarter finish when he wrapped his right leg around his body in trademark fashion with Swans defenders breathing down his neck in the Giants forward 50-metre arc.
Overall the Limavady man collected 13 disposals (9 kicks & 4 handballs) and 4 marks. Brown might have added third goal but he shanked his set-shot wide on the stroke of three-quarter time.
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Conor McKenna and his Brisbane Lions teammates were the big winners of round 21.
The Lions made one of the longest road trips in the AFL when they travelled across the other side of the Australian continent to defeat Fremantle 74-77 in a thriller at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
Brisbane are now up to third spot level on points with second place Melbourne.
A top four finish will ensure they earn a double chance of winning the premiership in September but a two berth could potentially lead to two home finals at Brisbane’s Gabba fortress where their form is imperious.
McKenna had a quiet game on the halfback flank but still chipped win with 10 disposals (9 kicks & 1 handball) and 3 marks.
Despite the tantalising prospect of finishing in the top two now a realistic possibility, Lions coach Chris Fagan has urged his players to keep their feet on the ground.
"We want to finish as high on the ladder as we can," he said.
"We're not the people saying we've got to finish second to win it. That's everybody else saying that and putting it on us.
"The main job in any football season is to a) make the finals and b) finish as high as you can.
"That's all we're trying to do.
"If we finish third or fourth, so be it. It's not a stress to us, because if you think about it, all you do is set yourself up for failure if you don't finish in the top two.
"Where's the logic in that? There's none. There's no logic in that."
On Saturday, Geelong ended their two-match losing run with a crucial home win over fourth place Port Adelaide at Simmonds Stadium.
The Cats remain just outside of the finals spots in ninth but are only one win behind the Bulldogs and a draw behind Saint Kilda and GWS.
Portloaise veteran Zach Tuohy finished with 15 disposals (9 kicks & 6 handballs) and 3 marks. He also kicked a behind.
Kerry defender Mark O’Connor chipped in with 10 disposals (6 kicks & 4 handballs) whilst Meath’s excitement machine Oisin Mullin was left out.
Also on Saturday, Cork defender Mark Keane continued to be the unlikeliest of all saviour’s for the Adelaide Crows in their 89-61 defeat of the Gold Coast Suns at the Adelaide Oval.
The Crows, who are without their first-choice backline have turned to no-name players including Keane, and in just his seventh AFL senior game, the former Collingwood player has showcased his resilience.
The Crows in 11th remain outsiders to play finals but if they win their three remaining matches and other results go their way, they could sneak in to the top eight. Keane finished the four-quarters with 15 disposals (11 kicks & 4 handballs) and 6 marks.
Meath forward Conor Nash was named as one of Hawthorn’s best-on-ground players in their stunning 105-73 upset of ladder leaders and premiership favourites, Collingwood, at the MCG on Saturday.
The Hawks kicked the first five goals of the game and never relinquished their lead to produce one of the standout results of the season. Nash, who has been in career-best form all season, was his team’s second-highest possession winner with 31 disposals (16 kicks & 15 handballs) and 9 marks.
Rebuilding Hawthorn, who have been one of the most successful teams in recent history, remain third from bottom on the season ladder but their heroics against Collingwood set a benchmark for their young side to emulate next season.
On Sunday, second-bottom North Melbourne lost 71-103 to second place Melbourne at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena in Tasmania.
Alistair Clarkson, the standout coach in the AFL who led Hawthorn to four premierships, returned as North’s head coach after stepping down from his role in May for personal reasons.
Tyrone-born Aidan Corr collected 10 disposals (7 kicks & 3 handballs) and 4 marks in North Melbourne’s defence.
