McKenzie

[Vazelos]

Walks into senior football & does extremely well in his 2nd game. I struggle to remember anyone that comfortable in his 2nd game playing a full game. Pencil him down as a keeper.

[saynta]

Today was the first time I have seen Dan.

I am 48 and have seen a lot of games and a lot of first games by Saints. I am struggling to recall anytime I have walked away from a game having seen a first game by a new player being ever so convinced that we have a real player on our hands.

You are obviously too young to have seen big Carls first game.

[Enrico_Misso]

Made 2 bad blunders early in the game.
But to his great credit he held it together and after that he was absolutely brilliant!
... A star is born?

[loris]

Made 2 bad blunders early in the game.
But to his great credit he held it together and after that he was absolutely brilliant!
... A star is born?

Yes I was pleased to see him put those early errors behind him and put in a good performance.

Actually I really think he 'thinks' his possessions through. As he his going for the ball, it's as if the computer in his mind is sizing up what option to take. When he's near the ball I can just see a young lad thinking through options, not one panicking and dishing off the quick handball or kick, just to get himself out of trouble. Me thinks he is a measured player who once he gets into the pace of the decision making at the top level of AFL. he will be a real gem for the Saints

[Devilhead]

McKenzie's chase down of Johannisen in the 3rd quarter was epic - ok The Bulldog speedster slipped but McKenzie got up to speed really quickly and took him out and got the free

He had another great run down the wing in the 2nd I think and launched the ball long to the square - unfortunately we couldnt capitalise on that occasion but it was exciting to watch

Once he settles and gains more experience the kid will be a gun

[bergholt]

McKenzie's chase down of Johannisen in the 3rd quarter was epic - ok The Bulldog speedster slipped but McKenzie got up to speed really quickly and took him out and got the free

I thought he was pretty lucky there, 1) because Johannisen slipped and 2) because he mauled him in the tackle and it should have gone the other way. But he put himself in position to have every chance and it came off, you've gotta be in it to win it.

[bergholt]

McKenzie's chase down of Johannisen in the 3rd quarter was epic - ok The Bulldog speedster slipped but McKenzie got up to speed really quickly and took him out and got the free

I thought he was pretty lucky there, 1) because Johannisen slipped and 2) because he mauled him in the tackle and it should have gone the other way. But he put himself in position to have every chance and it came off, you've gotta be in it to win it.

Actually, on replay it looks better than it did at the ground: http://www.afl.com.au/video/smart-repla ... ality=high

[Devilhead]

McKenzie's chase down of Johannisen in the 3rd quarter was epic - ok The Bulldog speedster slipped but McKenzie got up to speed really quickly and took him out and got the free

I thought he was pretty lucky there, 1) because Johannisen slipped and 2) because he mauled him in the tackle and it should have gone the other way. But he put himself in position to have every chance and it came off, you've gotta be in it to win it.

He showed tremendous endeavor and got the reward by putting on a hard chase - we got a glimpse of actually how quick he is - dont forget he was top 5 for 20m sprint at the combine - it wasnt McKenzie's problem that Johannisen slipped which was due to pressure from the front as well - and if you watch the replay I dont think there was anything wrong with the tackle as he didnt get him high just rolled him over - it just looked bad in real time because he nailed him at full pace

[The Disch]

Today was the first time I have seen Dan.

I am 48 and have seen a lot of games and a lot of first games by Saints. I am struggling to recall anytime I have walked away from a game having seen a first game by a new player being ever so convinced that we have a real player on our hands.

You are obviously too young to have seen big Carls first game.

I reckon Dean Greig also had a pretty fair first up game

[bigcarl]

Apparently the kid had 19 touches today which sounds pretty good, but walking away from the game I can't really remember anything he did. Did I miss a lot or was it just one of those inconspicuous play-your-role kind of games from him?

I was the same until I saw the replay. This kid is quick and tough and can play

[gringo]

I think he wasn't alone in the first quarter particularly that struggled to handle the frenetic pace the Dogs played at. He made a couple of errors because the tempo was inferring pressure overtime they touched the ball. No one used it well because they were dishing off as soon as the ball got in their hands. One of his mistakes was getting caught when trying to draw a player to free up a team mate. I thought that was like something Lenny would have done. Outstanding to do it in your second game. Unfortunately it didn't come off that time but he tried it again and did it last week too. He is showing some special qualities so far. Just wins the ball in tight too with strong second efforts. I think I may have been wrong on Lonie and Mc Kenzie. I was pissed off that we got Dan instead of Rhys Mc Kenzie and Jack lonie over Daniel. Very wrong on that one. They are two of the most exciting players on the list.

[saintsRrising]

He is certainly living up to his NAB Draft Profile.


Looks like both he and Lonie will be "steals" for us.

Daniel McKenzie (Oakleigh Chargers)

Height: 183 cm
Weight: 77 kg
Position: Midfielder/defender
Player comparison: George Horlin-Smith
Strengths: Speed, tackling, defensive pressure, marking, big-game player
Areas needing improvement: Consistency, ability to hit the scoreboard

You could be forgiven for not knowing who Daniel McKenzie is, what position he plays, and why he’s being spoken about within top 30 calculations. But Collingwood, Hawthorn and West Coast fans take note: McKenzie’s draft stocks are rising.

In a nutshell, McKenzie is a classy midfielder with superb athletic traits who boasts a rare combination of top line speed, endurance and agility. His skill set is also within the top echelon. He is a balanced kick on either side of his body, rates highly in terms of his marking capabilities, whilst his defensive pressure and nous to spread and win the ball on the outside also features prominently.

McKenzie’s natural leap means that he can play small or tall as a defender, and his endurance means that he can bounce around between half back and half forward, and really own a wing position, such is his transition running and offensive drive.

While McKenzie hasn’t exactly been a household draft name in the lead up to November 27th, he’s certainly starting to gain traction.

McKenzie’s year started off somewhat slow, but he came home with a wet sail, with the Oakleigh Chargers naming him best on ground in their premiership win, highlighting his appetite for the big stage.

But if we put the magnifying glass on the second half of his year, it’s one simply of a revelation.

An impressive showing at the National Championships in the middle of the year for Vic Metro was the catalyst of McKenzie’s run home. He notched 18 possessions at a super 89 per cent disposal efficiency during his one game, including three marks. He was ultimately pushed out in favour of others, but he answered his critics in a scintillating return to TAC Cup football.

It prompted a permanent move to the midfield, a natural progression from a back flank where he was notoriously known for shutting down his opponent, taking intercept marks, creating run from the back half and doing it all with a bit of ‘oomph’ and a touch of pizzazz.

It saw a rise in all of his key performance indications, averaging 19.8 disposals, 5.1 tackles, 5.1 marks and 5.6 handball receives, increasing from 12, 3.8, 2.5 and 3.5 respectively.

It brought to the fore his strengths – his speed and endurance and a natural ability to find the footy. He was able to win the ball, and run and in doing so left opponents in his wake. He would back himself to beat any would-be tackler, with a quick side step and accelerating past, or through congestion.

McKenzie was able to exploit his athletic capabilities, but in doing so kept a defensive mindset, an attribute AFL recruiters love. He was the only TAC Cup player in the competition to average high disposal numbers yet maintain equally high pressure acts, such was his harassing, tackling, spoiling, bumps and blocks.

At the next level, a club that is fortunate enough to call him theirs will have flexibility and versatility in abundance with McKenzie. As a defender, he uses his body positioning quite well, often playing in front and gets good location on his opponent, sticking close and using his strong core to back himself in a one-on-one contest, where his first instinct is to spoil or manoeuvre his opponent under the ball.

Although McKenzie doesn’t have a penetrating kick that’s reliable over 50 metres, he’s precise over 40 metres, and in particular has a habit of making bullet-like passes on a wing, or cutting inboard from defence.

His marking however, arguably defines him. He reads the kick off an opposition boot well, moves fluently into space, reading the ball in flight before taking the mark in defence and using the ball truly by foot. His ability to take intercept marks, go back with the flight of the ball with incoming contact, and take contested marks, sets him apart from other midfielders.

One of the most gifted, yet freakish athletes available in this year’s draft, McKenzie’s draft stocks have drastically risen particularly after his impressive draft combine. His vertical jump, endurance, repeat sprints, time trials and agility test all rated within the top echelon of testing, rounding out an impressive make-up of his athletic traits.

Whilst McKenzie’s scoreboard impact would loom as an area of immediate development, only kicking two goals in 2014 despite being an mainstay in Oakleigh’s all-conquering midfield, there is still plenty to be excited about with McKenzie’s scope for development ranking inside the top 10 of this year’s draft crop

[remboy]

Some of his attak on the ball/ballcarrier stuff reminds me of Aaron Hamill. You wouldn't want to get in the way.

[magnifisaint]

George Horlin-Smith?

[bergholt]

George Horlin-Smith?

"Player comparison: Steven Sims"

[6621104]

just watched the replay, kept looking for the lad and there he was dishing it out, running on, spoiling, looks a Bluey Mc Kenna type to me . And only game # 2!!!!
I'm a fan already

[Apples]

Yes, didn't know a lot about him coming into the game but couldn't have been more impressed. Strong, tough and has decent pace, looks like he can take a contested mark. Terrific hand ball in the 3rd quarter set up a goal. Credit when it's due, big tick to our recruiters, looks like an inspired draft choice.

[Armoooo]

Haven't seen many games this week but is he a chance for a rs nom?

Thought Lonie was so unlucky last week.

[Bluthy]

Yes, didn't know a lot about him coming into the game but couldn't have been more impressed. Strong, tough and has decent pace, looks like he can take a contested mark. Terrific hand ball in the 3rd quarter set up a goal. Credit when it's due, big tick to our recruiters, looks like an inspired draft choice.

Yeah he's a surprisingly big lump of a lad who already looks to be able to stand up in tackles. His kicking was a bit all over the shop but that could be due to rubber legs and nerves playing on the big stage. I could see him playing through the midfield and also down back a bit like Goddard giving us the ability to turn defence into attack with his marking.

[bergholt]

just watched the replay, kept looking for the lad and there he was dishing it out, running on, spoiling, looks a Bluey Mc Kenna type to me . And only game # 2!!!!
I'm a fan already

Yeah, I just watched the replay and noticed him a bit more. Pretty obviously a player. I couldn't tell you what his outstanding attributes are but he's got enough competitiveness, smarts and size to make it.

[Toy Saint]

sounds like he's even better than Lenny.......

[MC Gusto]

Played a great game showed some excellent skill and composure in 2 or 3 critical moments in the last
Looks like a man! Could be mistaken as an older age recruit!
Lovely raking kick on him

[avid]

Really really like the look of him.
Big strong fast smooth tough.

I just looked up his stats and he's only 184 and 78kg. So not "big", as I had him
Does anyone think he actually looks bigger than that?
With those stats he's the same height but lighter than Billings.
I reckon he's about 187 and 84.

(I wish we could trust the published stats. I bet you Armo was given as 87kg last year -- the same as this year, even though he's said himself he's stripped off heaps of kgs.)

[Megamaguire]

Great to see Daniel have such an encouraging 2nd. game and to make crucial plays in St.Kilda's favour.
I heard AR talk about him post game and he shared his enthusiasm of how important it was for Dan to take
that critical mark in the context of the game. You could tell the coach was impressed. AR stressed the toughness Dan has
- I took that to mean mentally as well as physically.

On a day when Billings produced a wonderfully mature game that included a kicking clinic others followed him.
New recruits Sinclaire & Lonie followed suit helping the resurgence gain ground. On top of this Danny McK adds plenty of his own vital ingredients and the new Saints are creating history!

Right now it's a fascinating mix of young and old, I'm enjoying 2015.

W E L L D O N E S A I N T E R S !

[gringo]

Really really like the look of him.
Big strong fast smooth tough.

I just looked up his stats and he's only 184 and 78kg. So not "big", as I had him
Does anyone think he actually looks bigger than that?
With those stats he's the same height but lighter than Billings.
I reckon he's about 187 and 84.

(I wish we could trust the published stats. I bet you Armo was given as 87kg last year -- the same as this year, even though he's said himself he's stripped off heaps of kgs.)

He is pretty tall. I'm 6'2" and he nearly as tall as me. His arms are like twigs though. He will fill out a bit as he gets into the weights. He is a very similar size to Farren Ray (who is also taller than he looks) and plays a little like him with good overhead marking and lots of run. He has much more pace and agility though and kicking seems cleaner. The Lenny comparison isn't ridiculous as he is extremely competitive and good at going hard at his opponent.