‘Just lucky it’s me’: Lion lifts lid on rucking romance
Darcy Fort’s timing can’t be faulted as he carves a similar path to former Brisbane Lions ruckman Clark Keating and welcomes Oscar McInerney’s return.
One half of Brisbane’s rucking romance, Darcy Fort is two wins away from a second premiership but still doesn’t feel like an AFL regular.
Last year’s grand final was one of just three games Fort played for the Lions last season.
His injection came after a preliminary final shoulder injury to fellow big Oscar McInerney, whose selflessness and joy for his teammate a week later became one of the enduring stories of their triumph.
Arriving from Geelong in 2022, Fort has always been the backup.
But with McInerney struggling with injury, Saturday’s semi-final defeat of Gold Coast was his 19th AFL game this season.
It’s a career high for the 32-year-old, who’s collected 55 AFL appearances across six seasons.
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“My mindset these last few months has still just been to get myself ready and if I’m playing, great,” he told AAP ahead of Saturday’s preliminary final against Collingwood.
“I’m just incredibly lucky that it’s me, week after week, and I’m not taking anything for granted.”
Fort’s path has taken a similar shape to another Lions ruckman Clark Keating, who squeezed three premierships into a 139-game career across 10 seasons.
Not that Fort is getting distracted by what could lie ahead.
“I try not to think too far ahead (about winning a second premiership), or let myself get too carried away with that,” he said.
Similar to McInerney in his modesty, Fort reckons last year’s grand final cameo gives him confidence because “no matter how badly I play, I will always have that in my corner”.
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Fort has emerged as Chris Fagan’s No.1 jumper while McInerney has struggled with his body and a forward line missing the retired Joe Daniher and injured Eric Hipwood adapts.
But they could remain a feel-good finals combination after the coach, who has historically avoided the tactic, opted to drop Sam Day, overlook Henry Smith and prefer two specialist rucks against the Suns.
“The players love playing alongside Oscar,” Fagan said, while stressing the selection was purely pragmatic.
“Popular, really selfless and glad to have him back in.
“Between them … they brought the ball to ground and created a bit of chaos.”
Fort described McInerney as an “absolute warrior”.
“It was heartbreaking for him to miss out last year … but it gave everyone a lot of inspiration,” he said.
“I’m stoked to have him in the team and know he’s going to give 100 per cent.”
Brisbane lost the 2023 grand final to the Magpies by four points and the sides have split their contests this year, both winning away from home.
