Remove this Banner Ad

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

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Leave him out - Devon looked like he can handle the half back role and Mozzie and Tippa give us what we need from small forwards (including the defensive pressure).

Dont see what he adds at the moment - apart from frustration and 1 or 2 moments of brilliance.
 
Hawthorne have a small forward line. 2 talls, no mediums, 4 smalls. Need his run and drive off half back.
 
I think they will pick him because of the temptation to get the full band back together. Not sure our best side on paper at the moment is actually going to be our best side

The coaches will still be eyeing off finals - as they should be. I think that means selecting an iffy McKenna and hoping both his brain and body turn up to play
 
If lists spots are going to be a premium, surely the club has think about Conor's spot on the list.

Yes he is contracted for next year, but all of his actions to date suggest he isn't hanging around long-term.

I would rather see the list spot used on a player who wants to be at the club and has a chance of being a long term player.
 

Log in to remove this Banner Ad

I guess the motivation didn't come up.
 
When you look at back at Conor's story line up to this point, and then judge our reaction right now, it is hard to argue that we are not a massive bunch of arseholes.
 
jmoo wan said:
When you look at back at Conor's story line up to this point, and then judge our reaction right now, it is hard to argue that we are not a massive bunch of arseholes.
Click to expand...
Yes... we’re the lifeblood of this club ha ha.

I think of the Big Footy conversation as an alternate reality selection committee.

It makes my own cut throat hot takes easier to live with.

Absolutely loved watching Conor and appreciate the effort and skill over years. Would love him to truly want to stay. But glad he isn’t in this week’s 22.
 
Lost the plot a little bit unfortunately.

Has arguably too much ability. He thinks he can do stuff that other players wouldn’t even dream of doing. Sometimes he’s right, other times he’s still right but it just looks ridiculous.

His head is clearly not in it, whether that’s hub or pandemic or general homesickness who knows.
 
It’s the right thing by the rest of the playing group leaving him out until he’s completely there mentally and physically.

It would also be the right thing to support Conor as much as possible with understanding and patience. We are in a global pandemic. He was already homesick, throw in the garbage at the start of the season and lots of people would struggle.
 
Conor McKenna
"Conor played the majority of the game on the ball. He was really quick and exploded from the contests, making good decisions and winning a lot of his own ball. He set up a lot of our scoring chains, so it was a great midfielder's game."
Click to expand...
www.essendonfc.com.au

Player review: Scratch match v Geelong

All 11 players are assessed from Saturday's scratch match against Geelong.
www.essendonfc.com.au www.essendonfc.com.au

Well that was unexpected 😱
 

Remove this Banner Ad

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Goodnight sweet prince. Not surprising at all.
 
www.essendonfc.com.au

McKenna says goodbye

Conor McKenna has called time on his AFL career, effective immediately.
www.essendonfc.com.au www.essendonfc.com.au

After 79 games for the Essendon Football Club, defender Conor McKenna has today called time on his AFL career, effective immediately.

The 24-year-old informed his teammates of his decision on Tuesday morning.

The Irishman said the decision to hang up the boots to return home was incredibly difficult.

“I do really feel the time is now right for me to return home to Ireland,” McKenna said.

“I’ve made no secret of the fact that at some point, I’d want to be returning home to my family and I’ve been weighing up the decision recently. It’s been a difficult year for everyone, but it’s also been a chance to take stock and weigh up several things in my life, so the time is right.

“I will always be grateful for Essendon’s support of both myself and my family since I arrived at the club from the other side of the world at the end of 2014.

AA031014MW0746.jpg


Conor McKenna after being drafted to Essendon in 2014. (Photo: AFL Photos)
“I will miss my teammates and coaches and I want to thank the Bomber fans for their support across the journey too. I will always wish the boys well and hope they see success in the not too distant future.”

General manager of football Dan Richardson thanked McKenna for his services to the club over the past six seasons.

“We understand Conor’s decision to return home to be with his family and while we are disappointed to lose a player of his calibre from our list, he departs the club with our support to return to his homeland,” Richardson said.

“In recent years, we’ve had very open and honest conversations with Conor, and his desire to return back home to Ireland has been no secret.

“It has been a very trying year for Conor personally, too, but ultimately we accept that the pull to return home was too strong. We will continue to provide our full support to Conor as he embarks on the next phase of his life.

“We thank Conor for his contribution to the club and wish both he and his family all the very best for their future endeavours.”

23CoEs15AT6000.jpg


Conor McKenna celebrates his first AFL win in round 23, 2015. (Photo: AFL Photos)
McKenna was recruited by Essendon in late 2014 as a category B rookie from County Tyrone, Ireland. He went on to make his debut against Richmond in round 22, 2015 at the MCG, kicking a goal with his first kick in the AFL.

He was named in the AFLPA’s 22Under22 side in 2018 and placed fourth overall in the club’s Crichton Medal in 2019, behind Zach Merrett, Dylan Shiel and Adam Saad.
Click to expand...
 

Remove this Banner Ad

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

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Back
Top