Checkside Chats with Corey Lyons and Tony Bamford

By ZAC MILBANK

In any other year, Corey Lyons’ performance in the Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final would have been worthy of the Jack Oatey Medal.

Glenelg’s influential midfielder used his 28 disposals beautifully while also kicking a match-defining goal heading into the half-time break in the title-decider against Sturt.

And while he has a laugh when reminded he was responsible for several of teammate Lachie Hosie’s game-breaking six goals, Lyons is more than happy to play second fiddle having earned a precious premiership medallion.

Speaking on Checkside Chats, the 25-year-old tells of how he arrived at the Bays while paying tribute to his father Marty, who played 27 games for Melbourne in the 1970s, and older brother Jarryd, who is set to line-up with the Brisbane Lions in Saturday’s AFL Grand Final.

Lyons admits he fell out of love with footy before the arrival of Tigers premiership mentor Darren Reeves, who restored his personal confidence to ensure he would perform at his best in the finals series.

SANFL U18 coach Tony Bamford also joins the show to review the U17 Futures match played on SANFL Grand Final day, with a handful of surprise prospects catching his eye.

Bamford also goes into depth in providing insight into the 2024 SANFL U18 State Academy squad of 32 players which was released this week.

He explains the difference in program schedule this year, which will see it more spread out across either side of the Christmas/New Year break.