Oscar McInerney

Brisbane reveal matchday role for “inspirational” sidelined ruckman

After being ruled out of the grand final, the Lions’ hampered big man will still have a job to do.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Sidelined Brisbane ruckman Oscar McInerney will take on a matchday role from the interchange during Saturday's AFL Grand Final against Sydney.

McInerney was unfortunately ruled out of taking to the MCG this week after suffering a shoulder injury at the venue in last week's thrilling win over Geelong.

The Lions big man heroically returned to the preliminary final after suffering a dislocated shoulder to help keep the Queenslanders in the contest, with a second injury of the same nature forcing him to be sidelined for the final stages of the game 45 minutes after returning to the field.

The setback has seen McInerney replaced by fringe forward Darcy Fort for Saturday's contest in what was the only change to Chris Fagan's side for the grand final.

While the much-loved McInerney won't be able to have a direct impact on the MCG, he will be positioned on the bench to help Fort and other teammates during the game.

"We asked for 'O' to be able to sit on the bench tomorrow and be a bit of a voice to the players, which he will be," Fagan revealed on Friday.

"He's good emotionally. He pretty much knew when he hurt his shoulder the first time last week that the season was over for him.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Oscar McInerney of the Lions receives medical attention after appearing to dislocate his shoulder during the AFL Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 21, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

"At that point in time, we didn't know whether we were going to win or lose, but he bravely went back on and gave us another 45-50 minutes on the field before it popped out again.

"That's quite inspirational for his teammates. He put the team before himself. That 45 minutes really helped us, it was great by him to do that. That's the sort of guy that he is.

"In the four walls of our football club, he's a really important person culturally. We'll go out there trying to play for him as well tomorrow."

Sydney coach John Longmire is considering a similar role for captain Callum Mills, who won't play this week after hurting his hamstring at training less than three weeks ago.

Swans ruckman Brodie Grundy looms as a key piece in Longmire's hopes of a second premiership as he goes head-to-head with Fort, who brings elite VFL form to the side in McInerney's absence.

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In his first year as a Swan, Grundy could cap off a remarkable journey that has seen him represent three clubs in as many seasons, with Longmire backing the ex-Magpie and Demon to have done his homework on Fort ahead of the biggest game of his career.

"He's done some work. He's a professional when he comes into his preparation," the Swans coach said.

"He and 'Coxy' (assistant Dean Cox) have been working on that, as has Hayden (McLean), and looking at what he's done.

Brodie Grundy

"[Fort's] a very good player. He's an experienced player. There's certainly not much lost in their regard from that aspect with having him playing. We've done a bit of work on him.

"It's a wonderful journey for [Grundy], he's had different experiences over the years. I guess that's part of what you do when you go into grand finals, everyone's got their own storyline, and Brodie's is quite a unique one.

"We know tomorrow come the first bounce when they're standing opposite each other, storylines go out the window - it's time to get the job done and that's really what it gets down to."

Final sides and tactical substitutes will be confirmed an hour prior to Saturday's 2:30pm (AEST) bounce.

The Swans are chasing their first premiership since their 2012 title under Longmire, while Brisbane is hoping to overcome last year's heartbreak and claim their first flag in 21 years.

Published by
Mitch Keating