The towering Sydneysider was selected as goalkeeper in the AFL Sydney team that prevailed against the NSW Gaelic Athletics Association by a single point, 4.3.10 (43) to 3.6.6 (42) in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Mahoney Park in Sydney.
The 208-centimetre McGrath is part of the Saints’ NSW Scholarship Program and only tried his hand at Australian Rules Football when introduced by his friends earlier this year. McGrath is also a former state and national basketball representative and will be hoping to keep impressing scouts with his freakish athletic abilities and competitive spirit.
The high tempo game was played in ideal conditions as AFL Sydney shot out to an early 10-point lead, building their edge through hard tackling. The advantage soon blew out to 20 before the Irish side clawed their way back into the contest through precision kicking of the round ball and tactical awareness.
A half time margin of five points was reduced to four by three quarter time and they could have been in front if not for the brilliant work of McGrath.
Just as the Irish were threatening to take the lead, Ron Watson and Dane Rampe combined for a goal before McGrath rose to the occasion to produce more sublime stops, thwarting the opposition and keeping the Australians in the lead.
McGrath finished the game with a number of key saves and was named among AFL Sydney’s best players.
AFL Sydney 4.3.10 (43)
NSWGAA 3.6.6 (42)
AFL Sydney
Goals: Matt Carey, Kieran Wright, Damien Bowles, Ron Wason
Overs: Alex Lee, Dane Williams, Damien Bowles
Behinds: Damien Bowles 3, Dane Rampe 2, Ranga Ediriwickrama 2, Ted Strudwick, Luke Stanford, Alex Lee
Best: Ron Wason, Mitch Frail, Luke Stanford, Alastiar Richardson, Blake McGrath, Damien Bowles
