Player Watch #27 Justin McInerney

[Kennedy Parker]

Justin McInerney
Sydney Swans youngster Justin McInerney

27

Justin Mcinerney

Age

25

Ht

189cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.2

3star

K

4.4

2star

HB

5.8

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.0

4star

CL

0.6

3star

D

12.5

3star

K

5.3

2star

HB

7.3

4star

M

2.3

2star

T

2.0

3star

CL

0.5

3star

D

10.2

3star

K

4.4

2star

HB

5.8

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.0

4star

CL

0.6

3star

is lightning-quick, an endurance machine and a clean user of the footy who’s best used on a wing or at half-back. The Northern Knights product was called up for his AFL debut against Melbourne at the SCG in Round 4, 2019, and although he wouldn’t feature at the top level again in his first year at the club, he was a stand-out in the NEAFL. McInerney is eyeing more opportunities at senior level in 2020.

Justin McInerney

27

Justin Mcinerney

Age

25

Ht

189cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.2

3star

K

4.4

2star

HB

5.8

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.0

4star

CL

0.6

3star

D

12.5

3star

K

5.3

2star

HB

7.3

4star

M

2.3

2star

T

2.0

3star

CL

0.5

3star

D

10.2

3star

K

4.4

2star

HB

5.8

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.0

4star

CL

0.6

3star

DOB: 18 August 2000
DEBUT: 2019
DRAFT: #44, 2018 National Draft
RECRUITED FROM: Banyule (Vic)/Marcellin College (Vic)/Northern U18

Justin McInerney | AFL

Follow Justin McInerney's progress through AFL

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[Kiama Chris]

Your son must have won a few scrums just on his weight.
I was very fast. I was a greyhound. I played league in the centres and wing. But I was tall and if we got injuries I would go into the second row. I hated it. My ears got ripped off we packed in so tight. It hurt. We practiced it. Even in practice it hurt.
Scrums are not scrums anymore. No one packs in tight like a rugby scrum in leauge. It is a joke.

The size of some of the U16 props was truly frightening. He wasn't the biggest, though in the top rank. I was a hooker and played league for Riverina at CHS in 1969, back when scrums were competitive. 5'8" and 11st 8lb. Way too small to ever play higher than St George District A Grade.
Super League did me in, don't follow at all any more.
Rules is played differently now but is still essentially the same game. League is boring.

 

[rustycrate]

The size of some of the U16 props was truly frightening. He wasn't the biggest, though in the top rank. I was a hooker and played league for Riverina at CHS in 1969, back when scrums were competitive. 5'8" and 11st 8lb. Way too small to ever play higher than St George District A Grade.
Super League did me in, don't follow at all any more.
Rules is played differently now but is still essentially the same game. League is boring.

I agree. League is boring.

 

[Ehswan]

27th/12.. No.27
I think he will have a big year. He has shown at his best he can be a very important player for us. Hopefully no injuries. As many have said, work on his tackling and get his kicking back on track..Huge year at half back or wing.

 

[McGowan3]

27th/12.. No.27
I think he will have a big year. He has shown at his best he can be a very important player for us. Hopefully no injuries. As many have said, work on his tackling and get his kicking back on track..Huge year at half back or wing.

Will be massive for us if he can stay fit. At his best, his run and carry is devastating.

 

[SwansLakeside]

Make or break year 2026 for Justin.
Will he deliver on the potential that we all see.
Will he show durability.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Make or break year 2026 for Justin.
Will he deliver on the potential that we all see.
Will he show durability.

Especially with him going into a contract year in 2026 as a free agent.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Make or break year 2026 for Justin.
Will he deliver on the potential that we all see.
Will he show durability.

Not sure I see massive potential.

I see a good B (maybe B+) grade AFL player who is comfortably best XXII, but unlikely to be top 10.

 

[rustycrate]

Not sure I see massive potential.

I see a good B (maybe B+) grade AFL player who is comfortably best XXII, but unlikely to be top 10.

Nothing wrong with that.
The key is HE CAN IMPACT GAMES.

 

[SydneyBlood]

27th/12.. No.27
I think he will have a big year. He has shown at his best he can be a very important player for us. Hopefully no injuries. As many have said, work on his tackling and get his kicking back on track..Huge year at half back or wing.

Especially with Florent gone, think we are bit light down back with run and carry types. In particular players who have already showed they can offer something over a fair sample size. Think it's a chance for McInerney to play more so in that position than wing or half forward. I know he has on occasion in the past but would like to see him given a fair go there to see what he can offer.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Especially with Florent gone, think we are bit light down back with run and carry types. In particular players who have already showed they can offer something over a fair sample size. Think it's a chance for McInerney to play more so in that position than wing or half forward. I know he has on occasion in the past but would like to see him given a fair go there to see what he can offer.

I wonder if they might try Cleary in this type of role?

 

[Kiama Chris]

I wonder if they might try Cleary in this type of role?

I think Bice is right for this role, especially if he and McInerney rotate a little as was the case with Dawson in his best year with us. The problem for both is if there is a space in defence.

 

[Millky95]

I think Bice is right for this role, especially if he and McInerney rotate a little as was the case with Dawson in his best year with us. The problem for both is if there is a space in defence.

Serong was played on a wing in the VFL when he won a B&F so also could be an option

 

[Kiama Chris]

Serong was played on a wing in the VFL when he won a B&F so also could be an option

Good spot. With his height and marking could also be an excellent rotation.
I really want to see him in the team but it could be at the expense of Rampe or Cunningham and could delay Edwards.

 

[bedford]

Good spot. With his height and marking could also be an excellent rotation.
I really want to see him in the team but it could be at the expense of Rampe or Cunningham and could delay Edwards.

Would play a different role

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Given we only have a small number of OOC players this year to work through, I feel we'll be watching McInerney's contract situation more closely than usual.

I don't know what might be happening behind the scenes with us, re. if we're already having discussions with his manager on an extension with us, but you'd have to assume that there'll be other clubs (I'd say mainly in Vic) pitching deals to his manager.

Although I don't think we would, I don't really want us getting into a situation where we're offering 5+ year contracts like Will and Ollie's again...

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Just as a follow-up, I will be interested to see if his contract has been worked for this year so that he might fall into the restricted FA category (served eight or more years, and is in the top 25% of wage earners at the club).

(I recall Essendon reportedly screwed up Sam Draper's last year so he accidentally was classified as unrestricted.)

 

[Kiama Chris]

J

Given we only have a small number of OOC players this year to work through, I feel we'll be watching McInerney's contract situation more closely than usual.

I don't know what might be happening behind the scenes with us, re. if we're already having discussions with his manager on an extension with us, but you'd have to assume that there'll be other clubs (I'd say mainly in Vic) pitching deals to his manager.

Although I don't think we would, I don't really want us getting into a situation where we're offering 5+ year contracts like Will and Ollie's again...

Justin is an interesting case. 26 at the end of this season with eight seasons completed. Last contract 4 years. Maybe not a star but certainly valuable and best 23. Determining the optimum contract length vs $ may actually be quite tricky.

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

I think JMac has an opportunity to play a major role in Swans performing better this year.

He has had some injuries and inconsistencies, but if he can pull it all together, he and Gulden on opposite sides could make a very strong winger combination - potentially the best in the competition.

To the discussion above, I wouldn’t want to offer him a contract more than three years. Long contracts are for consistent players, and JMac hasn’t proven that yet.

 

[dosser]

I think JMac has an opportunity to play a major role in Swans performing better this year.

He has had some injuries and inconsistencies, but if he can pull it all together, he and Gulden on opposite sides could make a very strong winger combination - potentially the best in the competition.

To the discussion above, I wouldn’t want to offer him a contract more than three years. Long contracts are for consistent players, and JMac hasn’t proven that yet.

Although I agree, our problem is that if we don't offer 3+ then somebody else probably will. Then we will have to pay overs to get a replacement from another club.
Of course, if we already have a suitable replacement on hand then mine becomes a moot point.

 

[The King!]

Clearly better with the longer hair , the fact he didn't grow it out all spring and summer is frustrating

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

So many questions on him for mine.

Has he fully recovered from multiple leg injuries and can he play unencumbered ?

It’s a contract year so expect him to turn it on for sure, I wouldn’t renew for long tho.

Can he be bothered making tackles and will he stop shirking contests or will he resemble a turnstile.

Should we still expect worm burners as kicks ?

Stay tuned, it’s gonna be interesting, wouldn’t be surprised if he’s on cox’s maybe trade list.

 

[Kiama Chris]

So many questions on him for mine.

Has he fully recovered from multiple leg injuries and can he play unencumbered ?

It’s a contract year so expect him to turn it on for sure, I wouldn’t renew for long tho.

Can he be bothered making tackles and will he stop shirking contests or will he resemble a turnstile.

Should we still expect worm burners as kicks ?

Stay tuned, it’s gonna be interesting, wouldn’t be surprised if he’s on cox’s maybe trade list.

Justin gets wrong footed from time to time but check this at about 1.25. No shirking. Some nice attacking too. Last year.

 

[bedford]

If he gets it right he can be an absolute wildcard , no talk of contracts , just enjoy if he gets it right

 

[The King!]

Said it before but pre 2024 injury he was borderline All Aus squad imo, he was a key part of our dominant play

 

[Adnico26Parker]