World Footy News

Niall McKeever has been slowly developing into a very handy footballer for the Brisbane Lions reserves but after a season and a half playing for the reserves team his "step up" did not come in the form of a call up to play for the senior side in the AFL. 

He was instead selected to represent Queensland against Western Australia this past weekend.   Of his selection he offered “I feel very privileged to represent Queensland especially when you see all the pride around State of Origin (rugby league) week, and it’s a chance to show our coaching staff what I can do.”

In all the years the two states have played each other Queensland has never come close to beating WA. Until now anyway, and while the unbeaten record continues the margin was only six points. McKeever played in the ruck and was at his best in the first half of the match, doing enough to be named in the best players for Queensland.

McKeever mostly rucked against former St Kilda ruckman Michael Rix after a late withdrawal saw him moved to starting ruckman, and he was the Queensland team's leading possesion getter in the first quarter.

Given his good form and the senior Brisbane Lions poor form and a run of injuries, McKeever might be nearing a senior call up with coach Michael Voss saying he would be a chance to play this week. This would of course see him playing alongside fellow Irishman Pearce Hanley who has cemented himself a spot a senior AFL level with his great marking and run out of the backline this season.

 Ironically when Hanley first came into the senior side it was at the expense of fellow Irishman Colm Begley and the two were never to play in the same side at senior AFL level.

 Scoreboard:

West Aust, 1.8, 8.10, 14.14, 16.17 (113)

Queensland, 2.1, 5.5, 8.7, 16.11 (107)

Goals, WA: Smith 5.2; Hansen 3.0; Geappen 2.2; Brabazon 2.1; Thornton 2.0; Dell’Olio, O’Brien 1.0; Mitchell 0.4; Cook 0.2; Salecic, Richardson, Blackwell, Head 0.1; 3 points rushed.

Goals Qld: Zorko 4.0; Davey 2.3; Payne 2.2; Clouston 2.0; Gilliland, Ilett 1.2; Abey, Shelton, Smith, Vearing 1.0; 2 points rushed.

Best, WA: Brabazon, Blackwell, Fleay, Smith, Geappen, Salecic.

Best Qld: Zorko, Davey, Wise, McKeever, Proud, Payne.

Umpires: Stuart Parry (WA), Chris Pattinson (WA), Andrew Stephens (Qld).

At Bendigo Bank Stadium, Mandurah. Crowd: 3000 (approx.)