An imminent return to Tyrone for Conor McKenna looks unlikely with the Eglish man seeking to extend his contract with the Brisbane Lions.
McKenna penned a one-year contract with Brisbane in November 2022, having returned to Ireland from Essendon in 2020 and playing a part in Tyrone’s 2021 All-Ireland Championship win.
With his current deal with the Lions due to expire at the end of the current AFL season, McKenna has already set his sights on securing improved terms with the club.
The Tyrone defender, who is currently on around $AUD350,000 (£187,700) for the seasons, is aiming to pen an extension if he can agree terms on a more lucrative contract.
McKenna has been an ever-present for the Lions this season where his pace has proved invaluable at half-back. His ability to run at opposition forwards and create rebound opportunities for Brisbane’s powerful forward line has improved Brisbane’s ball movement and made them genuine premiership contenders in September’s finals series; if they can cure their travel sickness in Melbourne.
The fourth place Lions, who defeated the Sydney Swans 97-81 at the Gabba on Friday, have won 25 out of their past 29 AFL matches at home. This contrasts with their horror run of form at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) where they have only won one of their past 14 fixtures.
McKenna has kicked four goals so far this season-including a stunning long-rang strike in the last minute of the first quarter against the Swans which he chose not celebrate-and he averages approximately 16 disposals per game.
“I was happy at home, to be honest, and playing Gaelic football again,” McKenna said earlier this year.
“I was lucky enough to win the All-Ireland … so after I won that it made it easy to decide to come back.
“Out of the clubs I was talking to, Brisbane were probably the club closest to going on to win a Premiership.”
The Eglish man never won a final in six seasons at the Essendon Bombers, but is hoping to taste finals success for the Lions who are on course to finish in the top four and secure a double chance of winning the 2023 Premiership at the business end of the season.
“That’s my goal now,” McKenna explained.
“I want to be competing deep into the finals.”