Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson has handed down his top-10 AFL players to come from Ireland, a list headlined by Jim Stynes at no.1.
In presenting the list on SEN’s Sportsday, Johnson also praised two up and comers who could eventually make it onto the list.
“Just going back through, it was quite entertaining actually to see some of the names you’ve sort of forgotten about and some that have played a lot of games and some that haven’t played too many,” Johnson began.
“There’s a couple of youngsters I think will have an impact. One at Geelong who hasn’t played, Oisin Mullin, everyone says he’s like taking Nick Daicos out of the AFL… we wait to see what happens there.
“I’m liking what I’m seeing from Callum Brown. Athletically he looks very good, skills as always (are very good for Irish players).”
See the list below.
10. Setanta Ó hAilpín (Carlton & GWS, 88 games)
“He had a couple of year spell (where he was amazing).”
9. Connor Nash (Hawthorn, 58* games)
“He could probably be top five by the end of his career if the growth and development keeps going.”
8. Connor McKenna (Essendon & Brisbane, 87 games*)
“We know what he’s been able to do on the field. Going home probably made him slide a little bit, now he's back in the system.”
7. Marty Clarke (Collingwood, 73 games)
“I love the way he played his footy. Speed and skills both sides of the body were beautiful and he played 73 games.”
6. Mark O’Connor (Geelong, 95 games*)
“He’s won the flag, defensive midfielder, excellent at the Cats.
“(He does) fly under the radar. He doesn’t take a backwards step but he plays the game the right way.”
5. Sean Wight (Melbourne, 150 games)
“Demons’ Hall of Fame, full-back, tough position in that period.
“I remember him as a full-back playing on the brutes and he’d fight the fight, wouldn’t he.”
4. Pearce Hanley (Brisbane & Gold Coast, 169 games)
“A beautiful kick.”
3. Zach Tuohy (Carlton & Geelong, 257 game)
“Two and three were difficult… I’ve gone Zach Tuohy at three.
“He is a ripper. He can play any position. He’s good on the field, he’s hilarious off the field.”
2. Tadhg Kennelly (Sydney, 197 games)
“One of my all-time favourites, Tadhg Kennelly.
“His speed, his run off half-back, running bounces, he’s so good to watch and he hurt us a few times.”
1. Jim Stynes (Melbourne, 264 games)
“Brownlow medallist, 244 games in a row… it’s a big number.
“Even in Ireland, we had a day off and (I remember) he grabbed us and he said, ‘come on, we’re going on a tour’.
“He took us for a full day at the pubs, getting around, seeing his family and it was one of the best experiences of my life.
“What a gentlemen and a champion of the game.”
Brad Johnson has tonight named the top 10 Irish AFL players of all time:
— Sportsday (@SENSportsday) May 10, 2023
1. Jim Stynes
2. Tadhg Kennelly
3. Zach Tuohy
4. Pearce Hanley
5. Sean Wight
6. Mark O’Connor
7. Marty Clarke
8. Conor McKenna
9. Conor Nash
10. Setanta Ó hAilpín