This thread is very much a work-in-progress. Come back regularly to check out the latest updates and heap praise upon the man that will revolutionise the way we view key position defenders.
• DOB:19th May 1988
• Height:196cm
• Weight:97kg
• Career games pre '09 :8
Draft history: 2006 NAB AFL Draft 2nd round selection (West Coast) No.29 overall traded by the Western Bulldogs for Andrew McDougall.
28/03/09 - rd 1 Vs Brisbane 8/10
Mark down this as the day Eric became a quality AFL key position defender. Called upon to cover Bradshaw and Brown for virtually the whole game, Eric performed extremely well. Brown and Bradshaw kicked a couple of goals, but each was well earned and Mackenzie gave away no freebies. As the game progressed, Eric even took a dash down the wing, had a bounce and delivered a pin-point pass to his forward. With the strength to match Brown body-to-body and the speed to close down a Bradshaw lead, it seems few opponents will have what it takes to be successful against Eric.
05/04/09 - rd 2 Vs Port Adelaide 6/10
Eric had a slightly off game tonight. Certainly not bad, but made some errors that he usually wouldn't. He found himself isolated against Motlop on several occassions and chose the wrong option a few times. Eric needs to learn to clear the area with a spoil. Played very well when called upon to negate larger forwards though. Next week is Saint Kilda and Reiwoldt and Kozi will go into the game in top flight after excellent performances against Adelaide.
11/04/09 - rd 3 Vs St Kilda 7.5/10
With the Eagles losing by 97 pts, West Coast's defence was kept very busy all day. Mackenzie matched up on Reiwoldt for most of the day and the St Kilda forward was prominent for all four quarters. Despite this, Mackenzie shadowed him to all parts of the ground and never gave up. He didn't win many contests, but broke even on numerous occassions. Mackenzie should be satisfied with his individual performance and was clearly one the Eagles best.
19/04/09 - rd 4 Vs Western Bulldogs 8/10
Eric spent the vast majority of this game shadowing Mitch Hahn. Mitch is an extremely powerful runner who hits the ball and is instrumental in the structure of the Bulldog's forward half. Mackenzie played Hahn out of the contest more and more as the game went on. So much so that at stages Hahn found himself in the defensive fwd50. Eric's smother of Eagleton's certain goal typified his commitment on the day. Next week Hawthorn with Buddy and Roughead to contend with. The life of an AFL Key Defender doesn't provide you with many easy weeks.
25/04/09 - rd 5 Vs Hawthorn 6/10
Eric played on Roughead for most of the night and was, for the most part, beaten. Roughead is an extremely powerful leader to the ball and hits the contest with explosive power. Mackenzie was caught behind on a few too many occassions and should have taken front position IMO. Eric was not disgraced though and will be better for the experience. Eric also found himself in trouble when in possession of the ball on several occassions.
• DOB:19th May 1988
• Height:196cm
• Weight:97kg
• Career games pre '09 :8
Draft history: 2006 NAB AFL Draft 2nd round selection (West Coast) No.29 overall traded by the Western Bulldogs for Andrew McDougall.
28/03/09 - rd 1 Vs Brisbane 8/10
Mark down this as the day Eric became a quality AFL key position defender. Called upon to cover Bradshaw and Brown for virtually the whole game, Eric performed extremely well. Brown and Bradshaw kicked a couple of goals, but each was well earned and Mackenzie gave away no freebies. As the game progressed, Eric even took a dash down the wing, had a bounce and delivered a pin-point pass to his forward. With the strength to match Brown body-to-body and the speed to close down a Bradshaw lead, it seems few opponents will have what it takes to be successful against Eric.
05/04/09 - rd 2 Vs Port Adelaide 6/10
Eric had a slightly off game tonight. Certainly not bad, but made some errors that he usually wouldn't. He found himself isolated against Motlop on several occassions and chose the wrong option a few times. Eric needs to learn to clear the area with a spoil. Played very well when called upon to negate larger forwards though. Next week is Saint Kilda and Reiwoldt and Kozi will go into the game in top flight after excellent performances against Adelaide.
11/04/09 - rd 3 Vs St Kilda 7.5/10
With the Eagles losing by 97 pts, West Coast's defence was kept very busy all day. Mackenzie matched up on Reiwoldt for most of the day and the St Kilda forward was prominent for all four quarters. Despite this, Mackenzie shadowed him to all parts of the ground and never gave up. He didn't win many contests, but broke even on numerous occassions. Mackenzie should be satisfied with his individual performance and was clearly one the Eagles best.
19/04/09 - rd 4 Vs Western Bulldogs 8/10
Eric spent the vast majority of this game shadowing Mitch Hahn. Mitch is an extremely powerful runner who hits the ball and is instrumental in the structure of the Bulldog's forward half. Mackenzie played Hahn out of the contest more and more as the game went on. So much so that at stages Hahn found himself in the defensive fwd50. Eric's smother of Eagleton's certain goal typified his commitment on the day. Next week Hawthorn with Buddy and Roughead to contend with. The life of an AFL Key Defender doesn't provide you with many easy weeks.
25/04/09 - rd 5 Vs Hawthorn 6/10
Eric played on Roughead for most of the night and was, for the most part, beaten. Roughead is an extremely powerful leader to the ball and hits the contest with explosive power. Mackenzie was caught behind on a few too many occassions and should have taken front position IMO. Eric was not disgraced though and will be better for the experience. Eric also found himself in trouble when in possession of the ball on several occassions.
