Delisted Dan McKenna (2008-2009)

(Gippsland Power, 18, 195cm, 85kg)

Re: Dan McKenna

Player Info

Good overhead and agile type who can also play back. Noted goalkicker who represented Vic Country at Under 18 level this year

"Weaver: Plays club footy at FF or CHF but really found wanting there in too many big games for my liking. When shunted to CHB he looks more comfortable. Seems to prefer having someone else make the play and then being able to come over the top for the spoil or in from the side. Rather muppet-armed and spindly - a course of protein shakes and he might make a good stopper.
"
"Ant555: Dan McKenna-194cm, 82kg-Gippsland Power. (FWD / BCK). Has had a bit of an up and down year playing in a strong side. Has been used at CHF and CHB during the year. Had some good early form as a key forward but it has dropped of a little as the season has gone on. Had a reasonable time at the Champs without being a star. Has shown some sort of ability to read the play as a back man and he can spoil well if needed. Is pretty lightly built at the moment.
"
"TOA: I realised the need to go for a key position prospect here and thought McKenna was well suited. He is up and down, lacks intensity but could really turn it on in the future. Has all the elements; 194cm, v.good pace, clean hands, nice spoil and can play in any KP role. He could be something pretty special or could be another McDougall. I personally think the draft is thinning out by now and I'm looking at upside.
"
AFL Insider:
Could probably be used better as a full forward, but some teams might draft him as a prospect for the back line.
Perfect Fit For:
The Bulldogs have to get bigger, and McKenna at full forward would be a step in the right direction. He could also be an option for a tall defensive position too.
**********.net prediction:
McKenna might go late in the second round to Sydney. They need a bit of help up forward now, and in several years will have a huge space to fill when Hall is gone. McKenna could be an eventual replacement for either Barry, taking over at full forward to replace Barry Hall or going to full back when Leo Barry retires.

Re: Dan McKenna

Dan McKenna a Versatile Choice



DAN McKenna sat in his car on top of a hill on Saturday morning with his dad, two brothers and girlfriend to listen to his fate being called over the radio.

"We don't get the reception out of Melbourne so we had to go to the top of a hill and sit in the car park of the Traralgon basketball stadium,'' he said.

"I was in shock, I couldn't believe it. I've grown up as a Geelong supporter now I've got to start thinking about being ready to go Monday morning, training alongside Gary Ablett and Jimmy Bartel, it's all a bit surreal.''

McKenna, a 195cm versatile tall, was drafted by the Cats at pick 50 on Saturday after a successful first full season at Gippsland Power in the forward line following a career in the back line.

"I played all my juniors at centre half-back and in my first year at the Power I played down back,'' he said.

"This was really my first year up forward. It was interesting at centre half-forward, it can be difficult at times but it was a learning curve and I take a lot out of it.

"I think that's what they (Geelong) liked about me, my versatility, they didn't draft me necessarily as a forward or back, I can play both.''

McKenna will join Dandenong Stingrays key forward Scott Simpson at Skilled Stadium today, after Simpson was taken at No. 44 on Saturday.

"I went into the draft with no expectations. I thought I had a good year without being overly great, I played for Vic Metro,'' Simpson said.

Re: Dan McKenna

Re: Dan McKenna

Testing

Pre Season
Height - 194.2 cm
Weight - 81.4KG
5m Spint - 1.05
20m Sprint - 3.03
Agility - 8.62
Shuttle - 12.1
Verticle Jump - 61
Repeat Sprints - NONE


Draft Camp
Height - 195.3 cm
Weight - 84.9KG
5m Spint - 1.06
20m Sprint - 3.01
Agility - 8.83
Shuttle - 13.1
Verticle Jump - 59
Repeat Sprints - 24.8

Re: No. 31 Dan McKenna

I read "The Draft" by Emma Quayle and they had quite a bit of information on Dan McKenna.

Hawks rated him as highly as their second round pick, and also saw him becoming a Tall Defender. They mentioned they liked his athleticism and his ability to swing forward. Interestingly the thing that they didn't like was his height. No, he wasn't to short, he was getting to tall. They thought at AFL level he would be at his best at the height he was drafted at.

It will be very intersting to see how he develops.

Re: No. 31 Dan McKenna

I will be interested to see if he has bulked up a bit by the start of the '09 season.

Re: No. 31 Dan McKenna

I hope he's bulked up too rabbi.

BTW, Jimmy Bartel's hoping McKenna can take the next step this season:

"So, Simon Hogan and Dan McKenna and Jeremy Laidler have been really impressing on the track and there'll be some opportunities for the young blokes to show us what they can do."

From http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/01/06/41855_gfc.html

Young Cat Dan McKenna would play in any position just to get a game

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/01/15/44145_gfc.html

Daniel Breen
January 15th, 2009

PLAYING at either end of the ground does not faze young Cat Dan McKenna.
The 19-year-old would just be happy to play, regardless of whether he was asked to hold down a key defensive post or pinch hit up forward.
McKenna is yet to make his AFL debut, but the boy from Traralgon is keen to make an impression in his second season at Skilled Stadium.
He has added six kilograms to his 195cm frame since arriving in Geelong and is aiming to play in the Cats' opening NAB Cup clash against Adelaide at Telstra Dome on February 21.
After that, he wants to force his way into the senior side for a home and away match.
"I want to train well and play round one of the NAB Cup, which will come from working hard. I want to play one senior game, and if I get a spot, I want to play well and not give it up," McKenna said.
However, he still remains unsure which end of the ground his career will take him to.
McKenna played 19 matches in the Cats' VFL side in 2008, booting 10 goals in the opening half of the season before switching to defence.
He also played the majority of his junior football down back and switched forward in his final year with Gippsland in the TAC Cup.
"I get asked a lot where I'd rather play and every time I say 'I'm not fussed'. I'm happy to play either," he said.
"I'd like to develop at both ends, which means more work, but if I can develop to the point where I can play at both ends of the ground, that's an attribute not everyone has."
McKenna admits his second pre-season has been far tougher than his first, when he, and the new crop of Cats, were somewhat nursed through the rigorous program.
The quietly-spoken youngster said he enjoyed pushing himself at training and was starting to feel more comfortable at Cat land after taking a little time to fit in.
"I want to develop as much as I can, continue developing as much as I can, put everything into every session and keep improving and hopefully by round one I'll be ready to go," he said.

Click to expand...

Re: No. 31 Dan McKenna

He played his best football for the season down back in the second half of last year, IIRC.

But one thing i noticed about him was his incredibly accurate goal kicking under pressure. Against Collingwood in about round six at Optus Oval, he slotted two goals at crucial times in the match from 40m out on the angle.

Re: No. 31 Dan McKenna

Good news that he's bulked up a bit.

Also, it seems he's still 195cm tall. Those who have read Emma Quayle's 'The Draft' will remember that Hawthorn's recruiters were worried that he might continue to grow well past that height.

Re: No. 31 Dan McKenna

geelong_boy said:

Good news that he's bulked up a bit.

Also, it seems he's still 195cm tall. Those who have read Emma Quayle's 'The Draft' will remember that Hawthorn's recruiters were worried that he might continue to grow well past that height.

Click to expand...

From the Rizzo training photos he seems to be even bigger than Scott Simpson, no smaller that's for sure.
Did read he's added 6kg, and might have grown a little as well.
Good to hear he can play both ends.

Meto.

Re: No. 31 Dan McKenna

Played both tall and small today and was great. Really works hard, and seems very comfortable when he works up the ground. I really see him as a Milburn type player.

Re: No. 31 Dan McKenna

Anyone give me a rundown of his time at Geelong?