The Brisbane Lions’ productive off-season has got even better with former Essendon speedster Conor McKenna choosing the AFL premiership contenders.
After landing Hawthorn premiership forward Jack Gunston and Western Bulldogs star Josh Dunkley during the trade period, the Lions will bring McKenna out of retirement.
McKenna called it quits from the AFL at the end of 2020, returning to Ireland after 79 games for the Bombers.
But the 26-year-old will again leave Gaelic football, opting to join the Lions after also weighing up a return to Essendon and moves to St Kilda and Port Adelaide.
“We see Conor being a player who further improves our list, particularly as he adds both run and speed,” Lions football boss Danny Daly said.
“He showed in his time at Essendon that one of his strengths is that he can play at both ends of the ground, and he can also win plenty of the ball.
“We look forward to Conor putting in a solid pre-season and helping us go that next step in 2023.”
McKenna said he was “delighted” to be joining the Lions as the club moves to state-of-the-art headquarters at Springfield.
“I wanted to come back to a club that was playing deep into finals pushing for a premiership and Brisbane have been doing that for the last number of years,” McKenna said.
“The club has been great for both myself and my partner Amy in making us feel comfortable and putting foundations in place to make sure the move out goes as smooth as possible.”
Along with recruiting Gunston, Dunkley and McKenna, the Lions will secure star father-son nominee Will Ashcroft in this month’s AFL draft.
Ashcroft has been hyped as the best player in this year’s draft but will head to the Lions due to his father Marcus playing 318 games for the club.
The Lions played finals for a fourth-straight season this year but were thrashed by eventual premiers Geelong in the preliminary final.
They have not played in a grand final since 2004 and next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the last of their three-straight premierships under legendary coach Leigh Matthews.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I like the Doors, Animals, Manfred Mann, l forget some :laughing:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I've never been a fan of McLachlan.
Knackaz
Roar Rookie
60s and no mention of The Doors?
Knackaz
Roar Rookie
GWS should be relocated to Tassie, and Gold Coast to Darwin. A 19th team is insanity, an odd number when there are already too many AFL teams and the talent pool will be further diluted. And McLaughlin's insistence on an expensive new stadium, when games at the current venues are rarely full houses, is just madness. Glad he's retiring. What a waste of money that could be much better invested across the state for the benefit of all Tasmanians, beyond an entertainment venue. I love AFL football, but continuing to prop up financial white elephants in GWS and Gold Coast who are basically just feeder clubs for the powerful Clubs, needs to change ...
Dazzler
Roar Rookie
I understand your point but going by your logic and reasoning, I don’t see why you would think it better for Conor to play for a weaker side, if a premiership is ultimately what he’s after. You obviously don’t rate him highly enough if you don’t believe that he can break into Brisbane’s best 22 to win a premiership! Also, Conor left Australia because of the Covid BS, so why would his preference be a Melbourne club where lockdowns are more likely?!?
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Are you a little worried about fisher, I think geelong are rubbing their hands together already for a top pick they may be able get dirt cheap again.lol.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
But we're a world wide sport where as you are just a national one blah blah blah. Money talks bs walks.lol.
Macca
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't be certain that it isn't St Kilda but my point is more I don't see him making the best 22 of a side that is playing deep into September.
Spur
Guest
He says, "“I wanted to come back to a club that was playing deep into finals". That's not St. Kilda.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I probably forgot some like J Croce and J Buffet. 60s: B Dylan, Beatles, Stones, N Young, J Cash, the English Divas (Clark, Springfield), Motown. 70s: B Dylan, N Young, C Stevens, L Ronstadt, C Simon, J Lennon, G Harrison, Mitchell, K Bush, B Springsteen, J Browne, J Mellencamp, Supertramp, Pink Floyd, Led Zep, Chisel 80s: B Dylan, N Young, PnKelly, B Springsteen, T Petty, Travelling Wilburys, J Mellencamp, Chisel, Oils, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs 90s: B Dylan, N Young, P Kelly, A Morrisette, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Cranberries, Counting Crows, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Zooey Deschanel, Zooey Deschanel, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs, Susanna Hoffs 2000s: not enough to remember
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Sixties, you were but a baby. Seventies Gary Glitter was the one. Eighties, Manic Monday, Eternal Flame. By attractive female or trans you may know. Also the decade of Soft Cell and Pet shop boys. Nineties, maybe Nirvana?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And their hokey WC where they pretend any country can win. Only 3 countries can really win. And they still can't get a team in the 4th & 5th biggest cities. We'll have all 6 States and 2 Territories. It'll be 2050 before they get 20 teams.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
All the NRL can do is go on about state of origin. If it wasn't for soo they would almost be irrelevant.lol.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Done very well for yourselves since then though thats for sure
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
If you can remember the 60s you weren't there! If you can remember the 70s how is it possible? If you can remember the 80s why would you? If you can remember the 90s what is there to recall?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
But...Alex Pearce has just signed a contract extension. He'll be 29/30 when they come in; inaugural captain.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Should we get some Kleenex :stoked: They can polish that turd but …….
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
That is something the NRL just can't do. The AFL can absorb the costs of running GCS & GWS, they will most likely absorb the costs the 19th & 20th teams. The NRL can't even get a 17th & 18th in bigger cities like Perth n Adelaide.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Before 2007, we were with the Scraggers lonely club.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Show off.lol. :laughing: