Dubliner James Madden leaves AFL side Brisbane to make GAA return

The 24-year-old played 13 games in six seasons.

HOMEWARD BOUND: James Madden of the Lions attempts a mark during an AFL match against Greater Western Sydney Giants. Picture: Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Dublin’s James Madden has left AFL side Brisbane Lions to return home and play Gaelic football.

Brisbane, who were crowned AFL champions last month, announced that the 24-year-old told the club his decision this week.

“Jimmy has played a really key role for us for a number of years coming in and out of the senior side but we respect his decision to return to Ireland and wish him all the best with his pursuits in Gaelic footy,” said General Manager Danny Daly.

Kilkenny native Darragh Joyce signed a one-year contact extension with the Lions while Conor McKenna also remains at the club.

Madden joined the Lions in 2019 as a Category B Rookie after he broke the all-time AFL Draft Combine 20 metre sprint record at the Dublin combine in December 2017. The Ballyboden man played 13 games in six seasons. He previously represented Dublin at minor and U20.

Elsewhere, Zach Tuohy has paid tribute to his coach Chris Scott. Tuohy retired from the AFL this season after a remarkable career across two clubs. He won a Premiership in 2022.

The Laois man was left out of the Geelong squad for their preliminary quarter-final defeat this season, a decision Scott later said was “one of the harder calls that I think we’ve had to make.” 

Speaking at the Carji Greeves Medal presentation, an award given to Geelong’s best and fairest, Tuohy said he owed his career to Scott.

“Scottie, I do feel slightly awkward with the adulation I’ve got towards the end of my career, primarily because I did sometimes wonder at different stages of my career, not just whether or not I would ever get the opportunity to win a premiership. I even questioned whether I would play for a club that is strong enough to win a premiership. Whether I would be good enough to feature for that team.

“Coming to Geelong, I mean being allowed in was a step in the right direction but then to be given as much grace as you gave me for eight years now. Like I said you could have taken the easy way out years ago but you refused to. I know lesser coaches and lesser clubs would have taken the easy way out. You refuse to give up on your players, especially your senior players.

“I have never taken that for granted and I hope you know that. To you, I feel like I owe the entirety certainly of the second half of my career. Thank you for everything mate.”