IN WHAT IS a hugely impressive rise to the senior ranks, Kerry’s Mark O’Connor made his AFL debut this morning in front of 57,172 people at the famous MCG.
But it was a tough introduction to top level Aussie Rules with his Geelong Cats side losing out 110-93 against a superior looking Essendon side.
O’Connor — who was presented with his jumper from Zach Tuohy before the game — will have learned a lot from his first senior bow.
The 20-year-old showed some promise but made a couple of errors.
It’s a third defeat on the trot for a side that won the first five of the year. Afterwards coach Chris Scott labelled his side’s defending ‘disgraceful‘.
It’s a home game next weekend against West Coast for the Cats where the 2015 All-Ireland minor winning captain will look to build on his progress.
More to follow
Furlong is finished. Has been for a few years now.
Could do with him for France ideally if at all. Should take the summer off and stay well clear of the Lions. Big blow.
Huge blow. Bealham is good but a level below TF and then Clarkson has serious potential but I’d be worried if he had to come on early vs England or Scotland and especially vs France
@Andrew Slazenger: we’re almost used to not having him available now. Always seems to be injured.
@Michael Corkery: This is true. Fingers crossed he comes out the other side of the injury issues and hits another purple patch that lasts till after the WC
Perhaps they could just let Furlong recover properly instead of risking him for the sake of one or two games.
I think we might be able to cope against England, rest him regardless against Scotland and Wales aiming to get him back for France.
Does not sound optimistic at all, especially seeing that he flew home from Portugal. I’d say best case we might see him in march for those games. A shame.
He needs a good long spell away from rugby. Muscular injuries will just keep tearing and stretching until they are fully restored. Niggles turn into career-ending problems.