By AAP
A cricket club in Melbourne’s east felt the loss of Oscar McInerney when the ruckman finally cracked an AFL list.
The 22-year-old mature-age rookie’s selection by the Brisbane Lions in 2017 meant Ringwood Cricket Club needed a new social committee member, junior coach and someone to man the canteen on Friday nights.
McInerney, a left-arm offspinner, had filled all those roles for the club while toiling for Casey’s VFL development team, whose home ground was a three-hour return train ride from his Croydon home.
“I was just playing (cricket) on the mats with my mates, on the social committee, club cleaner, canteen, under-16 coach … that was just the way,” the now 29-year-old told AAP ahead of Saturday’s grand final clash with Collingwood.
“They’re unbelievable; I love getting back there and the messages are already flowing.”
Known as ‘The Big O’, McInerney’s patient path to the AFL – back injuries spoiled his junior rise and being overlooked in early drafts while playing at Montrose – means he has not taken any of his 125 games for granted.
And he still finds other ways to contribute, becoming heavily involved with the Lions’ AFLW side as a ruck coach.
“I had a different journey to get here and it’s held me in good stead,” he said.
“I was heavily involved at the cricket club, but as a pro your hobby becomes your job so you need to find other avenues.
“(AFLW coaching) is still footy, but it is a great way to get into something else and they’ve taught me plenty.
“Tahlia (Hickie) hopefully will be the All-Australian ruck, an absolute superstar.”
McInerney has been preoccupied this week though, his thoughts taken up by how to counter the Magpies’ ruck duo of Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox.
He says Cox’s wingspan and Cameron’s football IQ create a tricky proposition.
It was Melbourne star Max Gawn who orchestrated a one-point comeback win over Brisbane earlier this season, dominating his Lions opposite in a pivotal final quarter.
“Ruck’s one of the few one-on-one spots … it’s unique isn’t it, even just the hit-out column; people scroll to there and make out what they like,” McInerney mused.
“That night, Max was incredible.
“I’m getting that opportunity each week against a great ruckman, getting my pants pulled down a fair bit.
“You can mull on it or get on the computers and try and learn. And what a great lesson that was from one of the great ruckmen.”
McInerney keeps things simple, belying his bashful off-field persona to build his game around competitiveness and creating for his prolific midfield and forward line.
It was his work in the middle that helped turn the tide against Carlton last weekend and ensure he lives out “a genuine childhood dream”.
“It was a long night Saturday after the game, just that adrenalin,” he said.
“I was over the moon and now you’re building again.”
The Lions will have their main session at the Gabba on Thursday, with key defender Jack Payne’s (ankle) fitness to be tested before they fly to Melbourne.
