Senior Oscar McInerney (2016-)

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DERRINALPHIL said:
I notice that Oscar often hits tap outs with his left hand.

Is he left handed?
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Kicks with his right foot but that doesn’t mean much really.
My Dad was ambidextrous and anything that he held with 2 hands he was left handed ie: golf, batting in Cricket. But he bowled right handed, wrote right handed, kicked a ball right footed.
 

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McInerney: We Just Need To Compete

RUCKMAN Oscar McInerney says Brisbane has the right coaching and culture to keep it focussed on the process rather than the outcome of Saturday night's sudden death semi-final against the Western Bulldogs.

While a loss would spell the second 'straight sets' exit for the Lions in the past three seasons, a win over the Dogs would put them one win away from a Grand Final berth.

McInerney says despite the September pressure and some injury concerns, Brisbane isn't looking too far ahead.

"We're all dreamers," he said. "You can't say you don't go to bed thinking about what could be, what might be.

"That's the beauty about of our coaching group and the beauty of our culture at the moment, is we're really focused on that process.

"We can pull ourselves into line.

"It's all good to daydream and hope, we know if we get to work that'll hold us in good stead rather than daydreaming and crossing our fingers."

For the fourth straight week McInerney is central to the Lions' success.

In the previous three matches he's gone head to head with Brodie Grundy and All-Australian duo Nic Naitanui and Max Gawn, with mixed results.

Against the Bulldogs he could confront Lewis Young and Tim English or even his former mentor Stefan Martin if Luke Beveridge decides to bring the veteran back from injury.

McInerney said he had learnt plenty in the past few weeks.

"There's nothing better than having a crack against the best," he said.

“NicNat is such a powerful beast. Max is so long and strong and has great footy IQ and Brodie a couple of weeks before covers the ground and follows up like a midfielder.

"They're all weapons every ruckman tries to have.

"The Bulldogs are such a powerful midfield unit, led by Marcus (Bontempelli) on the floor and (Jack) Macrae.

"Whatever look they give us, it's going to be an exciting challenge."
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2021 Season Review: Oscar McInerney

In his first year as our number one ruckman, Oscar became a premier threat in the competition

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Following the loss of Stef Martin to the Bulldogs in the off-season, 2021 was Oscar’s time to shine as the Lions new number one ruckman… and the ‘Big O’ didn’t disappoint!

Missing just one game, McInerney was a key piece to the dangerous midfield puzzle, racking up a massive 672 hitouts for the season.

Statistically, the only ruckmen more impactful than the 204cm giant were Melbourne Premiership Captain, Max Gawn and West Coast’s Nic Naitanui.

The Big O relished the added responsibility, attending more ruck contests than any other player in the AFL in 2021 while averaging 13 touches a game.

McInerney was rewarded for his consistent season by being awarded the Marcus Ashcroft ‘Most Professional’ Award.

The ever-humble ruckman was quick to take the attention away from himself in his acceptance speech.

“This is an amazing club to be a part of and it’s a great place to go to work,” McInerney said.

“I feel a little bit fraudulent, cause it’s a pretty easy job to copy the amazing leaders we have at the club and copy the actions that they lead by.”

Standout performance: Oscar Downs the Suns

The Big O was a force to be reckoned with in Round 19.

Off the back of two shock losses to both St. Kilda and Richmond, the Lions found themselves down by 27-points at halftime against the Suns.

Enter Oscar, who took it upon himself to turn the tide. The ‘Big O’ finished with a whopping 39 hitouts, 18 disposals and a career-high 12 clearances, leading the Lions to a 49-point win.

He was also a silver lining in the Lions Round 20 loss to Hawthorn, finishing with a career-high 46 hit-outs.

McInerney now sits in the ‘elite’ category in clearances, hitouts and hitouts to advantage.

It’s scary to think that this was only his first season at the ruck helm. Lions fans will be excited to see what 2022 holds.

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Season Averages

Disposals - 13.1 (above-average)

Total Clearances - 5.5 (elite)

Hitouts - 29.2 (elite)

Hitouts to Advantage - 9.4 (elite)

Marks - 2.3
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Oscar Hasn't Missed A Beat This Off-Season

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Brisbane Lions captain Dayne Zorko has given an insight into the Lions’ off-season on SEN radio yesterday, saying they’re driven to go deeper in the 2022 season.
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The five-time best and fairest skipper named 27-year-old ruckman Oscar McInerney as one to watch next year.

“I don’t think Oscar McInerny has missed a day since he’s finished, it’s phenomenal.

“He’s in there every single day, our general manager of football is like, ‘Go home mate’.

“He’s desperate to prove a point.

“He wants to be the number one ruckman in the competition I’d imagine.

“Every year he’s grown and grown and gotten better, and there’s probably a couple in front of him that he wants to prove wrong.”
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McInerney Ready to Go to 'Another Level'

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The arrival of Geelong big man, Darcy Fort has been a welcome one for Brisbane Lions ruckman, Oscar McInerney.

Speaking to Lions Media, the 27-year-old said he was excited about the prospect of teaming up with the former Cat.

“Darcy coming along has been great. It’s nice to have another big boy out on the track to work alongside and wrestle in the contest,” McInerney said.

And there seems to be plenty of healthy competition between the two, with ‘The Big O’ saying he’s been learning what he can from Fort.

“It’s been great to pick Darcy’s brain about what he’s learnt in his journey and to ruck against him. I’m hoping we can form a really good duo this year.”

“Having him out on the track, it’s certainly pushing us both to another level and we’re setting the standards for each other so we can have as good a year as possible,” McInerney said.

The Big O had a breakout 2021 season, amassing 672 hitouts and placing 3rd overall in the competition behind only Max Gawn and Nic Naitanui.

But the best may still be ahead of the 204cm ruckman, who says he’ll be taking what he learnt last year and looking to go one better in 2022.

“I learnt so much last year and it was unbelievable to verse great ruckman every week. I just want to work my way up and continue to improve.”

“It’s been great to build into a pre-season and the boys look to be in great shape. We’re really hopeful we can have a great year this year.”
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Big O Loving New Partnership

Oscar McInerney joked he would gladly have "four or five" ruckmen in Brisbane's team, but is happy to have two as he goes about forming a combination with former Geelong giant Darcy Fort.

After successfully partnering with Stefan Martin in the early stages of his career, McInerney was supported by back-up options Joe Daniher and Tom Fullarton in 2021 following Martin's departure to the Western Bulldogs.

However, the Lions sought help for their 204cm powerhouse during the off-season, trading for Fort to strengthen a ruck division that also has youngsters Kalin Lane and Henry Smith.

Fort has made a strong impression in the early stages at his new club and appears a good chance to play alongside McInerney when the premiership matches start in March.

Coach Chris Fagan likes playing with three tall forwards, and Eric Hipwood's absence for the early part of the season leaves the door ajar for a Fort-McInerney union.

And while some ruckmen prefer to play one-out, McInerney says he's all about having a partner-in-crime.

"I'm the most biased ruckman in the comp, I'm happy to have four or five in each team, I think it's better for the game," McInerney joked.

"In all seriousness, me and Darcy have had some opportunities in match sim to work together and there's some really good chemistry and we're learning some great tricks from Huddo (ruck coach Ben Hudson) and hopefully that can keep going strong.

"I've got no qualms whatever my role is. I've said it before, I'm just living the dream. Whether I'm playing 30 per cent, 40 per cent (ruck), it doesn't really change.

"We're in there to compete, to bring the ball to ground and that's as a forward, a ruck or sitting on the pine and seeing what the game's doing and what it requires from me.

"I'm not looking into numbers saying: 'I need this or I need that', I'm just out there loving the game and hopefully it's with big Forty because he's making some waves at the minute."

Fort, who played eight games with the Cats, has impressed with his ability to get around the ground and take a mark when plonked in the forward line.

McInerney says he loves nothing more than improving with his new teammate at training.
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Match Review: Big O banned, De Goey learns fate

Brisbane ruckman Oscar McInerney is also facing a one-match ban for striking North Melbourne opponent Tristan Xerri.

The incident, which occurred during the Lions' massive 108-point win on Saturday night, was assessed as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact.
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Six things we learned: Under-fire Bomber silences critics ... for now

5. The Big O can handle rucking one-out

Joe Daniher's return from injury forced Brisbane coach Chris Fagan to drop his dual ruck threat of Oscar McInerney and Darcy Fort in favour of playing three key forwards (Daniher, Eric Hipwood and Dan McStay) against the Saints. There's not many bigger tests for a solo ruckman than facing the tandem of Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall, but McInerney handled it with aplomb. It's not foreign to him – he did it much of 2021 – but it was his first exposure this season and he passed with flying colours. Although not dominating statistically himself, McInerney nullified Ryder's supreme tap-work and helped the Lions to a 34-25 clearance advantage. It doesn't get any easier following the bye for the Big O as he comes up against Melbourne's Max Gawn and Luke Jackson. – Michael Whiting
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Year to Date: What the Stats Say

Oscar McInerney currently ranks 4th in the AFL for score launches (36) and 6th in the competition for hitouts (306), while Darcy Fort sits 9th with 225.
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A Big Night for Brisbane's Big Men

If Thursday night’s Elimination Final against Richmond wasn’t already a big enough occasion for the Brisbane Lions, it’s even bigger for Joe Daniher and Oscar McInerney.
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McInerney, in game 100 for the club, is another player who will be vital for the Lions in Thursday’s Elimination Final, but don’t expect him to tell you that.

The 28-year-old’s story is one to admire, going from playing in the Casey Demons VFL development team to the Lions rookie list in 2016.

The next year he was a NEAFL premiership player and reserves best and fairest winner. Fast-forward to now and he is the starting ruckman for the Lions in the AFL.

“He is a shy and humble human who constantly undersells his value to the team, but he certainly has the respect of the players and staff,” Brisbane ruck and stoppage coach Ben Hudson explained.

“He came here probably thinking he’d last a couple of years on the rookie list and now he has built himself up and is an integral part of our side.

“He started late as a mature age player and grown into that with the amount of time he has spent in that number one ruck role playing against the best ruckman in the league.

“That’s come off the back of his work rate and desire to improve and his effort and intensity around the contest are as good as anyone.”

When talking to his line coach about him, it was easy to see the love and admiration Hudson had for McInerney.

As a player who doesn’t mind sneaking inside the 50-metre arc and kicking a goal, Hudson referred to the 28-year-old as a ‘forward stuck in a ruckman’s body’.

“He also goes against being the stereotypical ruckman because I believe he is a qualified accountant also,” the assistant coach joked.

“But those inside these four walls know him as a very funny and humorous man. He runs the player fines and things like that, so he is a very good clubman to have.”
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Senior Oscar McInerney (2016-)

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