Liam O'Connell Biography

Rhyan Mansell is found guilty of rough conduct and given a three-game ban for pushing St Kilda defender Liam O'Connell into a marking contest, in a case seen as a significant test following an AFL memo on player conduct.

"The force of the push is a significant factor here. It went well beyond what a reasonable player would consider prudent in the circumstances, particularly the circumstances that the push was in the direction of the path of the ball," Jeff Gleeson KC, AFL Tribunal Chair said.

"Mansell breached his duty of care by pushing O'Connell with such force, with the path of the ball directly in the direction of oncoming players."

Irish Saint Liam O'Connell will make his AFL debut in St Kilda's 2025 season opener against Adelaide.

"I feel coming in from overseas you are trying to make up years of development, so I think all those little gains are so important to me to close the gap to other guys who have been playing footy their whole lives," O'Connell said.

Irishman Liam O'Connell signs with the Saints as a Category B rookie.

O'Connell, 20, lived in Western Australia for several years as a child before returning to Ireland aged 11. He joins the Saints after being scouted by the club in June and July as he starred in the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).

"He was just named Cork Young Footballer of the Year. He was a young boy that actually lived in Australia for about seven years. He lived in WA. His mother's an Australian girl, his father is an Irishman so they lived in WA for seven years," St Kilda list manager Stephen Silvagni said.

"He did play Aussie Rules, Auskick and some early junior football. He actually has already adapted to the footy."