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Retired #45: Conor McKenna ☘️ - Returning to the AFL to play with Brisbane - 17/11

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He made some blues but you can tell he's under instructions to keep taking risks because he didn't let it affect him.

When he has clear space in front of him he is absolutely impossible to catch from behind. I think he might be the fastest player on our list - maybe Fantasia. His kicking is just super as well.

I was also impressed at some of his marking that he did in the backline. I knew from his time in the VFL that he was pretty capable in the air but he's now bringing it to his role down back and I think that bodes very well for us.

I think the day will come when we can play this bloke on any small/medium type player and he will be just fine. He's not there yet defensively but he has that kind of scope.
 
vast said:
I have just seen that for the first time as shocking as it is, I am not that surprised the umpiring across the board has never been worse.
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Actually, it was a lot worse 5-10 years ago. The Gieschen era was disgraceful.
 

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Bit of a herp derp from Tim Watson tonight saying you get one of those every week from Conor. Hasn't done anything like that for ****ing weeks Tim.
 
lamaros said:
He tries a short low stab that gets picked off at least once a game. But otherwise he uses it well and bravely, kicked another good goal too.
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I don't mind that cause if it comes off then we more often than not get a quality inside 50.

He coughs up the occasional one but I can swallow it. To score against afl teams nowadays you have to take risks.
 
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He worries me when he tries to kick diagonally across the 50 arc coming out of defence. I wish he wouldn't take kick outs, either. He worries me much less in the middle and our forward 50.
 
Even though McKenna made a few blues I don't mind them developing another kick-out option. His only real errors are going for a little too much with the weighted passes which are easier to intercept. Its something that only needs a little fine-tuning. His actual kicking is superb. He also has the advantage over Hurley in that if he wants to he can run and carry the ball from the kick-out and gain more ground for us in the right situation. There is real potential there. Even Hurley makes a few mistakes when he tries to really spear the passes and they go out on the full from time to time. It also suits our style to have a couple of guys that can play on from behinds so we can get the play moving quicker.

He is absolutely phenomenal once he reaches open ground - he's pretty much unstoppable through the middle if there's no one blocking space in front. He's the best I've seen in an Essendon jumper at this since Lovett. He is going to kick a lot of goals for us from half back. McKenna already takes guys on with tiny gaps in space and makes it work. Plus I loved seeing him take a pack mark last night. He did one the week prior as well. If he can up his intercept work to get anywhere near Gleeson's work then he can truly be the full package as a rebounding HBF. He's actually got strong marking hands so its not inconceivable.

Teams are going to start tagging him I suspect. Maybe not til next year but it will come.
 
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Oh Irish.
 

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He missed quite a few targets last night with his dinky little kicks. Needs to keep working on it and will improve. He kicked out last night outside 50, and turned it over and it came straight back and he took a really strong pack mark and then hit Joey up on the lead. Its great when players stuff up but make amends straight away...shows great character. Love this kids confidence and self belief. Team has bloody great balance of experienced players and youth. Something special is starting to happen.
 
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/su...n/news-story/ae65d10da0fc755494f3c42f8eabff67

ESSENDON

After 14 games across his first two seasons of AFL football, Conor McKenna has well and truly found his feet this year.

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Conor McKenna. Picture. Phil HillyardSource: News Corp Australia
The 21-year-old Irishman has played 12 games and averaged 17.1 disposals, 338.5 metres gained and 2.8 rebound-50s per game, with his run and dare off half back giving the Bombers extra drive and excitement.
 

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Retired #45: Conor McKenna ☘️ - Returning to the AFL to play with Brisbane - 17/11

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

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