Latest news with #IsaacQuaynor
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Almost half a million footy fans lose their minds as one of the AFL's brightest young stars reveals his surprising hidden talent
Footy fans have been losing their minds over Sam Lalor's music skills, with the Tigers ' No 1 draft pick taking to TikTok this week to showcase his incredible musical skills. It comes as the Tigers star might need surgery after re-injuring his left hamstring just moments into his return on Saturday against Geelong. The Tigers later issued a statement on Monday to confirm that his season was over. But prior to his side's clash against the Cats, the 18-year-old dropped a video of himself performing a cover of 'Madeline', by US singer Zach Bryan on social media. The youngster stunned, as he showcased his flawless vocals while playing an acoustic guitar. It is the first video the footy star has published on his Tik Tok channel, and garnered over 52,000 likes on the clip, while the clip has been played over 561,000 times. 'This is dope,' Collingwood star Isaac Quaynor commented, while others were left shocked by his hidden talent. 'Woah, Sam Lalor can sing,' wrote another TikTok user. 'Sam you're actually amazing,' another said. It comes after Adelaide star Izak Rankine had dazzled footy fans by showing off his vocals, belting out Maroon 5's 'She Will be Loved' during a live television performance ahead of Gather Round in April, and some fans demanded the Tiger's star and the Crows midfielder. One added: 'Just waiting on a Sam Lalor x Izak Rankine Collab.' Iconic social media duo Shepmates commented: 'What can't this man do.' Lalor has succumbed to a hamstring injury for the third time, previously injuring it before he was drafted last year and then in the May Dreamtime at the 'G match against Essendon. The Tigers were cautious, holding him back for a week, but he limped off GMHBA Stadium after tackling Tom Atkins early in the first quarter. Footy fans took to the comments to laud the young Richmond star on his incredible talent 'We are all devastated for the young man, and I am sure our fans are too,' Richmond high-performance manager Ben Serpell said. 'The injury mechanism here for Sam this time was very different to his original injury mechanism. 'He sustained the injury in a tackle. I think anyone who throws their body at the game as he did, and credit to him for doing that, is going to put their body at some risk irrespective of their injury history.' Given Lalor's terrible injury history, he might undergo surgery on the hamstring. 'We are a bit concerned about the integrity of the hamstring structure,' Serpell said. 'As part of that we will consult a few surgeons over the next little while to see if there is some surgical intervention available for us.' Elsewhere, Nik Cox's concussion history has also ended his AFL season while two other Bombers will need surgery, with injury-plagued Zach Reid's season cut short again due to last week's hamstring injury. Jye Caldwell suffered a syndesmosis injury in Saturday's loss to Gold Coast and will be out indefinitely as he goes under the knife. Sydney also received bad news on Monday, with forward Joel Amartey likely out for the rest of the season with a high-grade adductor strain, and Tom Papley sidelined for two to three weeks with a hamstring injury. Adelaide forward Josh Rachele has avoided ligament damage, but he will still need knee surgery after landing awkwardly in Sunday's win over Melbourne. The Crows are unsure when he will return. The AFL's concussion panel, which last month recommended West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern should retire on medical grounds, gave Cox hope he will resume his playing career. While Cox will not play this year due to his concussion problems, the panel gave him a pathway to make an AFL comeback after meeting him last month. Cox is, though, upbeat about his future after being told by the concussion panel he can resume his AFL career. 'While I'm disappointed that I won't return to the field for the remainder of the 2025 season, this time away from the game will be used to focus fully on my health, recovery, and building the strongest possible foundation heading into pre-season,' Cox said. 'I've learned a lot about myself over the past few months, and I'm more motivated than ever to get back to doing what I love. 'My focus now is on continuing to work closely with specialists and the club to make sure I'm in the best place physically and mentally to return to football.' The Swans, who beat Fremantle on Sunday, confirmed their injury news in a brief statement on Monday night, saying Amartey would be out for eight to 12 weeks. With seven home-and-away rounds left before the pre-finals bye, Amartey could be fit in time for the start of September, but it would take a remarkable run by Sydney to reach the play-offs.
ABC News
27-06-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Walker, Amartey, Quaynor, Idun — the rise of Ghanaian-Australian players in the AFL
When Collingwood's Isaac Quaynor went to his father's hometown in Ghana for the first time as a 10-year-old, he was welcomed with love and warmth by his extended family, instantly connecting to his cultural roots. He was also greeted with something he wasn't expecting, being called 'obrouni'. Obrouni is a term in Ghanaian language Twi that directly translates to those who come from over the horizon. But colloquially, it refers to a white person. It isn't intended as a derogatory remark, simply a way to signify difference. But for a Melbourne-born kid who considered himself Ghanaian-Australian, it was a jarring experience. "Growing up I didn't really know that I was different, but I kind of did at the same time. It was an awkward one," he told ABC Sport. "I was like, maybe this will be the place I feel like I really fit in ... I was so naive to what was going on. "When I was over there all the village kids were coming past and standing at the gates (looking at me) like I was a zoo animal." While his trip overall was a great experience, it's representative of a lifelong journey Quaynor has dealt with. The 25-year-old grew up with a Ghanaian born dad, and white mum, in a household surrounded by Ghanaian culture. He went to church on Sundays like many kids growing up in Ghana would. His family was a regular to Ghanaian community events. His story is familiar to many people who grow up biracial, not knowing exactly where they fit. In Australia — seen as not 'Australian enough', in Ghana perceived as an outsider. But Quaynor has embraced the positives in his story, helping him form connections throughout his life. "I can relate with lots of different types of people as a result," he said. It was a life changing experience for Quaynor to spend time with his grandma before she died, gaining perspective that he has grown to appreciate the older he has gotten. In recent years, Quaynor has found a place where he feels he fits perfectly, the AFL. It's the same for Joel Amartey of the Sydney Swans, Connor Idun of GWS and Brandon Walker of Fremantle. Four players with different stories but with shared heritage rooted in Ghana. Walker spent the early part of his life in Ghana raised by a white-Australian dad and a Ghanaian mum. Quaynor, Amartey and Idun all grew up in Victoria with Ghanaian fathers, and white mothers. For Idun, discovering his cultural heritage has been an ongoing process, but one that has progressed more in recent years. His dad Zac was born in the UK, to Ghanaian parents who had immigrated to the country before his birth. The 24-year-old was also born in the UK and moved to Australia with his mum at a young age, growing up in Geelong, a city with a very small African population. "At times it was embarrassing, I didn't know my heritage and I wasn't able to be proud of where I come from, but that's what makes this journey so special," Idun told ABC Sport. "I have a Ghanaian middle name Kwamena which I never really said, I just said Connor Joshua Idun. But (now) I'm very proud to be Connor Joshua Kwamena Idun." The rekindling of his relationship to his culture came when he saw his UK-based dad and brother for the first time in 10 years, when they came to watch him play last year. The weight of the moment was clear to see with both men describing the emotional toll heading into the game. The reconnection with his dad has opened Idun's eyes to another "realm of family" he never knew before. "I'm in a WhatsApp with the Iduns, there's 30 or 40 in a group chat that does not stop," he said. "(It means a lot) knowing I'm playing for something bigger than myself, and it's going to be Ghanaians in West Sydney that are watching me. "Giving them someone to look up to and be proud of and hopefully I can help them discover their passions early and be proud of their heritage earlier than I was. "Meeting other Ghanaians, they're all pretty similar to me. I always wondered why I'm so bubbly and loud." For Fremantle's Brandon Walker, his early childhood memories are filled with the noise of the busy streets of Kumasi, Ghana, after spending the first five years of his life in the country's Ashanti region. Walker and his twin brother Chris would make their way to school in the early morning enjoying a Ghanaian doughnut called a puff puff. The family eventually relocated to Perth, where Walker was surrounded by a wide range of different cultures. "When you go to school you lean to different cultures, you've got your mates that are from the same place ... I've had a lot of mates (who are) mixed-race people as well." With a mum that is "very protective, very strict, with very good morals", Walker credits her for ensuring that he was raised to be a good person. Even though his mum didn't know much about Aussie Rules when arriving in Perth, she's now a vocal supporter on game day. "She tries to stay home to watch most of the games because she's very extroverted. She'll be yelling at the screen and stuff like that, she's funny, she enjoys it," he said. In Ghana, soccer is a way of life and is a great connection between dads and sons, something which Sydney's Joel Amartey relates to. Amartey and his dad Clemente shared in the 'traumatic experience' watching Ghana lose to Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals. Amartey's dad may have wanted him to follow in his footsteps and become the next Asamoah Gyan, but those dreams were dashed when Amartey traded one football game for another. "I don't think he talked to me for about two months when I outgrew soccer," Amartey joked. "He played for the professional league in Ghana growing up, so he was very adamant I played soccer." Amartey also absorbed valuable insights from his dad by osmosis. "I don't speak the language but hearing my dad on the phone growing up shouting from the other room. I don't know how a man can call so many people during the day," he laughed. The youngest of three siblings, his sisters helped teach him what it is to be Ghanaian. "I've only really started to learn these little things (about the culture) the last few years. It's tough to learn but that's the beauty in it." Although the Ghanaian community is small in the AFL, the support and guidance of other African players like Port Adelaide's Aliir Aliir, who has South Sudanese heritage, have been influential in Amartey's journey. "He's so expressive in himself about where he's from and I think I looked up to that and tried to take a few things he did and move on forward with it," Amartey said. "What all the Indigenous boys do with their culture and their heritage and the way they grow up and how they've come together there is so many of them, I think as African players we look to those guys and see what they have done for their people and I think we can do the same for us." A game so easily identified with Australian culture found its way into the home of first-generation Australians finding a love and skill for the game. That eventually extended to their parents, who found new ways to bond with their sons. "(Dad's) the biggest fan ever, loves watching football ... comes to all the games,' Quaynor said. "Someone was telling me he had his phone out recording for like half the game the other week and I was like what are you doing? "He's so proud, definitely come a long way." They're not just passing the game onto their parents, with these players' representation also ensuring the game's growth in other communities. "My extended family now start watching," Amartey said. "They still don't really know what's going on, but they know what a goal is and the team wins and that's how it starts." In recent years, the AFL has put a greater emphasis on promoting the game in multicultural communities. Amartey, Quaynor and Walker have been a testament to this, coming through the AFL Next Generation Academy – an initiative between the AFL and clubs to create more opportunities for boys in multicultural and Indigenous communities. "When we do camps with NGA kids seeing how happy they are to be there and the opportunity they get to be involved it's a great opportunity for them and they grab it with two hands," Walker said. The work has extended to clubs working to foster more inclusive environments that celebrate the individual cultures of their players. "The Swans here are awesome. They're very open minded and help put things in place that help you discover your heritage, or don't try and squash it down or put it to the side," Amartey said. "Toby Greene's always wearing the Ghanaian soccer jersey from the World Cup. I got some Ghanaian budgies made-up and things like that for the boys." GWS vice-captain Stephen Coniglio has also played a role in Idun's journey, the club leader who has proud Italian heritage encouraged his teammate to learn more about his culture and be proud of where he comes from. He may have been first in the competition, but that is not where Quaynor wants his legacy to end. "I have this dream ... to organise something through the AFL (with other African players)," he said. "I'd love to be able to take some footies over to some African countries and Ghana being one of them." The return to Ghana could signify an opportunity for Quaynor to introduce a sport that has changed his life, to a community his shared heritage connects him to, potentially changing the life of another.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nick Daicos in worrying scenes as teammate makes confession to Daisy Pearce
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has played down injury concerns around Nick Daicos after the Magpies star appeared to be suffering a hip or back issue on Thursday night. Daicos tallied just 18 disposals, four clearances and a goal in the Pies' 14-point win over Fremantle - way down on his usual output. He was spotted receiving treatment on the boundary line in the first half and was switched to the forward line in the second quarter, which appeared to be a move aimed at reducing all the running he does in midfield. Teammate Isaac Quaynor was asked about the situation by Channel 7's Daisy Pearce as the players came back out for the second half. Pearce asked if Daicos was carrying an injury or whether it was in response to the midfielder copping another hard tag. Quaynor said: "You want Nick Daicos wherever you can get him, so it's good to have him up forward. He almost took his [first] contested mark. We've been trying to get him one all year." Pretending it was a joke but it wasn't — updog (@another_azzhole) May 8, 2025 He'll never take one 🤣🤣 — Jack (@JackCFC0) May 8, 2025 Speaking in his post-match press conference, McRae said it was simply a case of playing two games in five days. The Magpies opted to rest Brody Mihocek, Scott Pendlebury, Jordan De Goey and Brayden Maynard, rather than take them across the country to Perth on a short turnaround. And McRae said the issue with Daicos was part and parcel of that schedule. "I think most players come into games with a bit of something going on, especially five days after the last one," he said. "And that's why we take this win with huge excitement and really want to celebrate it. "Nick has this amazing ability to play multiple roles for us. When he's getting tagged we see if they can go and play deep on him (in the forward line). He looked really dangerous for a period there when we needed it. We've got some flexibility in our team and we're really proud of that." As well as Daicos being well below his best, the Magpies also lost Lachie Schultz to a heavy concussion. "We're really, really ecstatic with that win. That's a huge performance," McRae said. "To come over here off a five days (break) and a travel is hard to do. We didn't want to under understate or overstate it before the game, but we knew it was going to be a big challenge. We give a massive shout-out to Jarrod Wade and our high performance team." RELATED: Calls for AFL to introduce new rule after James Sicily incident Luke Hodge goes public with awful reveal after former teammate McRae and Fremantle coach both agreed the game should have been stopped when Schultz was knocked out, but it continued around him. Collingwood captain Darcy Moore said: "We were pretty concerned at how severe he looked, how disoriented he looked. "Players on both teams thought the game should have been stopped at least for 20 seconds to let him off the ground. A lot of the Freo guys were getting to Lachie as well. That was our first concern, given how nasty it looked. "He was right in front of me so I could see how much he struggled walking. It felt like 20 seconds - it was a set shot anyway - so it felt like it was right in that moment (to stop the play). It felt like out here in the moment, (when) someone is in a state like that and we're still running around chasing a footy - it didn't feel right."
