The Old Dark Navy's
22 Mar 2002, 21:08
McKernan pushes for selection
Barry Levinson
carltonfc.com.au
7:01:30 PM Fri 22 March, 2002
High profile Carlton recruit Corey McKernan is confident of lining up for the Blues in round one against St Kilda next weekend, after he came through his first match in the navy Blue unscathed today.
Having recovered from a foot stress fracture, which saw him miss all of Carlton’s senior pre-season campaign, McKernan made his debut for Carlton in a VFL practice match against the Coburg Tigers at Optus Oval.
The former Kangaroos ruckman / forward spent almost the entire game at centre half-forward, before being rested in the last quarter.
He was joined in the Blues’ VFL side by deputy vice-captain Adrian Hickmott, veteran utility Michael Mansfield, rover Darren Hulme and rising forward Andrew Merrington, all who have had interrupted pre-seasons.
All acquitted themselves well, with Hickmott showing no ill effects from the ligament sprain in his leg, which also caused him to be sitting on the sidelines for the senior pre-season hit-outs.
In front of a small crowd of just a few hundred fans, McKernan was pleased to get his first game at his new club over and done with.
“I was a little bit nervous before the game today, because it was the first game I’d actually played for Carlton,” McKernan said.
“Even though there wasn’t much of a crowd there, it was just a great game to get under my belt, after I’d missed a bit of footy and finally get my first game out the way. I’m looking forward to playing next week.”
McKernan said he was not troubled at all by the foot injury, which was caught early by the doctors.
“I haven’t felt it since it was initially diagnosed,” he said. “Even at the time, it didn’t really hurt that much. It was only as a precaution we had a scan done and it turned out I had a hot spot on my foot which was a lot better than having an actual stress fracture where it’s cracked and it’s a lot more serious.”
“I was pretty lucky that it was found early and got it out the way and trained hard over the break.”
Both McKernan and Hickmott are almost certain to be rushed back into the senior side for the game against Saints.
Mansfield and Merrington will be in contention, while Hulme has a two-week suspension still to serve.
The only down side for the Blues in today’s practice match was the first quarter report of rookie list player Ezra Bray for charging.
Finally something to smile about :)
Barry Levinson
carltonfc.com.au
7:01:30 PM Fri 22 March, 2002
High profile Carlton recruit Corey McKernan is confident of lining up for the Blues in round one against St Kilda next weekend, after he came through his first match in the navy Blue unscathed today.
Having recovered from a foot stress fracture, which saw him miss all of Carlton’s senior pre-season campaign, McKernan made his debut for Carlton in a VFL practice match against the Coburg Tigers at Optus Oval.
The former Kangaroos ruckman / forward spent almost the entire game at centre half-forward, before being rested in the last quarter.
He was joined in the Blues’ VFL side by deputy vice-captain Adrian Hickmott, veteran utility Michael Mansfield, rover Darren Hulme and rising forward Andrew Merrington, all who have had interrupted pre-seasons.
All acquitted themselves well, with Hickmott showing no ill effects from the ligament sprain in his leg, which also caused him to be sitting on the sidelines for the senior pre-season hit-outs.
In front of a small crowd of just a few hundred fans, McKernan was pleased to get his first game at his new club over and done with.
“I was a little bit nervous before the game today, because it was the first game I’d actually played for Carlton,” McKernan said.
“Even though there wasn’t much of a crowd there, it was just a great game to get under my belt, after I’d missed a bit of footy and finally get my first game out the way. I’m looking forward to playing next week.”
McKernan said he was not troubled at all by the foot injury, which was caught early by the doctors.
“I haven’t felt it since it was initially diagnosed,” he said. “Even at the time, it didn’t really hurt that much. It was only as a precaution we had a scan done and it turned out I had a hot spot on my foot which was a lot better than having an actual stress fracture where it’s cracked and it’s a lot more serious.”
“I was pretty lucky that it was found early and got it out the way and trained hard over the break.”
Both McKernan and Hickmott are almost certain to be rushed back into the senior side for the game against Saints.
Mansfield and Merrington will be in contention, while Hulme has a two-week suspension still to serve.
The only down side for the Blues in today’s practice match was the first quarter report of rookie list player Ezra Bray for charging.
Finally something to smile about :)