Toast Pick 23 Pat McKenna Welcome aboard

[captainMyCaptain]

Welcome aboard to Pat McKenna the Australian under-19 cricket captain who played for Bendigo Football League club Gisborne but with no tac cup played theres no highlight package to be found, while a project player is said to have a huge upside.

 

[Big dog 25]

played 18 games for gisborne bendigo league team kicked 45 goals

 

[grouse mate]

186cm and 76kg. Very odd to reach for a fwd at those stats, apparently not overly quick but has sticky hands and is a good kick.

 

[Gigantor]

186cm and 76kg. Very odd to reach for a fwd at those stats, apparently not overly quick but has sticky hands and is a good kick.

True, awkward height if not quick, might present match up difficulties if he can mark like a tall

 

[captainMyCaptain]

McKenna said he was prepared for the interstate move. “They came out and spoke with me about how it works up at GWS and so it won’t be much of a surprise."
He said being such a young group, it would aid in his development. “The only direction is up for the club and I’m super excited to be part of it.” McKenna will have a familiar face on the journey with him, with Cannons player Paul Ahern also joining GWS. “We played in under-16 Cannons together," he said.

http://www.macedonranges.starweekly...gisborne-s-patrick-mckenna-off-to-gws-giants/

 

[captainMyCaptain]

Selection No.23 – Patrick McKenna (Gisborne Football)
Stephen Silvagni says: "He played in the Bendigo League against men and played really well. He hasn't really done a pre-season with anyone because he plays cricket, (but) we know he runs very well and he's an elite ball user."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-27/giant-leap-for-one-of-gws-six-draftees

 

[Kappa]

Was captain of the Australian under 19 cricket side only a few months ago

 

[captainMyCaptain]

 

[Danny88]

still shocked we used pick 23 here...

 

[Gigantor]

still shocked we used pick 23 here...

A bit of a leap of faith.

On the other hand, having such a talented list, perhaps the recruitment staff purposely went after a project player who might need a few years of development.

 

[grouse mate]

still shocked we used pick 23 here...

May of been a case of then or never. Next live pick was 72 or something.

 

[Santoz]

There's no highlight reel but if you've got the time you can watch all of Gisborne's matches here.

http://www.bendigofnl.tv/clubs/gisbourne

Every match videotaped in the BFL ...

 

[captainMyCaptain]

“At the end of last cricket season I wasn’t enjoying it as much as would have liked,” McKenna told The Daily Telegraph.“I was glad when footy season came around and that was a pretty good indicator of how I was feeling. In November I had a call and was told I’m captain of the Australian cricket team (Under 19) which was a chance of a lifetime. “I enjoyed the trip but didn’t feel like I was enjoying the game as much as I should have. It wasn’t just a split second decision to choose football, and when the opportunity was there to play football I decided to have a crack at it.” He did just that, McKenna played 18 senior games this year for Gisborne in the Bendigo League, kicking 45 goals, making the league’s team of the year and winning the Rookie of the year. In one game against Kangaroo Flat he kicked nine goals.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl...rss&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

 

[_GT_]

Aside from anyting else, this is proving to be nice piece of publicity. I am sure the Giants were hoping ths would add a little bonus to this selection. It keeps the Giants in the media a little longer post draft, and the story may just resonate with young Western Sydney and Canberrans looking for a change from their current sport. McKenna's move says it is ok to change course from what seems to be your destiny and follow your heart into something you enjoy.

 

[_GT_]

More background on McKenna. Will be an interesting project this one...

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-30/pats-fresh-wicket

 

[captainMyCaptain]

McKenna with even more media coverage
https://au.sports.yahoo.com/afl/videos/watch/25651622/mckennas-unusual-road-to-afl/?cmp=twitter

 

[gohardorgohome]

There's no highlight reel but if you've got the time you can watch all of Gisborne's matches here.

http://www.bendigofnl.tv/clubs/gisbourne

Every match videotaped in the BFL ...

You have a good one Giants fans.... Great hands and kick..... excellent decision maker...... take a look at the second half of Round 18 V Kangaroo Flat....... There has been much discussion about the goals... but Pat's around the ground work is also first rate.

 

[coniglio_number1]

Would anyone like to assemble and giants best 11? We seem to love cricketers

 

[_GT_]

Kat, Cogs and Pat to start with....

 

[Ichabod Noodle]

Gavin Robertson played 4 tests and a handful of one dayers - works in the media department. Handy with the off spin.

 

[dlanod]

Gavin Robertson played 4 tests and a handful of one dayers - works in the media department. Handy with the off spin.

Jesus that's a weird coincidence. Given the recent test where the top 6 Australian batsmen scored half centuries I'd gone looking for the other cases of that - one was India against Australia in 97/98, and I had a bit of fun with coworkers about getting them to name the bowling attack in the test other than Warne (Kasper, Wilson, Robertson) because I literally had to look up Robertson due to not remembering who he was.

 

[coniglio_number1]

Just read that we had scouts at almost all his games last year so we definitely knew all about his game and what he can do! Wouldn't be the first player plucked from suburban footy that makes an impact at the top level. I'm quite bullish about this one!

 

[Giant Pete]

Just read that we had scouts at almost all his games last year so we definitely knew all about his game and what he can do! Wouldn't be the first player plucked from suburban footy that makes an impact at the top level. I'm quite bullish about this one!

Where'd you read that?

 

[coniglio_number1]

Inside football newspaper. Had info on every draftee

 

[DJ Sammy]

The other thing with Pat is that we have had enough really high draft picks that we could afford to have a Swing for the fences pick. Unknown potential, so why not try it when we could have just as easily passed on the pick.