VFL Past #65: Shaun McKernan 🐴 - Returns to the Dons

[Beerfish]

Gave away a fu** ton of free kicks

Elite.

 

[Lore]

Thanks Smack Held down a spot in the 22 for a couple of seasons to a total of 87 career games – not bad considering he had to fight for a spot on the list year in and year out.

 

[Duckworth]

Obviously SEN has the good oil

Report: Uncontracted Bomber pair facing "uncertain future"

They remain without a contract for 2021.

www.sen.com.au

"Both McKernan and Townsend, who haven’t been selected for the club’s season-closing clash against Melbourne, have reportedly been made to wait on any contract extension until rebounding defender Adam Saad and key forward Joe Daniher inform the club on whether they’ll be there in 2021."

so that means Joe is staying!

edit: don't Lol at me Beerfish. I worked it out.

 

[JT_the_Man]

Thanks Smack. You made the impossible look easy, and the easy look impossible. Makes for a good highlight reel if you ask me.

 

[jmoo wan]

He's my favourite McKernan by a mile. Easily the better player over Corey

 

[BomberFan355]

Delisted yes?

All the best Shawn.

 

[Chief Hopper]

Thanks for standing through a rough era of the club McKernan.

 

[cobra land]

Jeez I will miss his brain fades, lack of effort and giving away stupid free kicks....not
Seriously, I wish he could display his contested marking and his aggressive approach more consistantly but hats off to him for making the right call in retirement.

 

[yodellinhank]

He's my favourite McKernan by a mile. Easily the better player over Corey

I dunno... they could both play ruck or forward, but neither of them had the versatility to play as Gene Simmons or Paul Stanley.

 

[11kgm]

was an okay player but we persisted long

 

[Sanj48]

Thanks Smacka - I remember the year he taking the piss in the VFL and we couldn't upgrade him as we cooked the management of the long term injury list. As the weeks went by and we couldn't pick him and the legend of the Saviour grew and grew.

My favourite passage of play was probably when he took a hanger in the forward pocket against Norf a couple of years ago and then proceeded to kick it to absolutely no one - Smack to a tee. Capable of some downright incredible stuff (in both senses of the word).

 

[Donakebab]

Thanks for the memories big fella, all the best in retirement. I'll wear your jumper, smash some bevos and do something mercurial/stupid in your honour.

 

[ghostdog]

Jeez I will miss his brain fades, lack of effort and giving away stupid free kicks....not
Seriously, I wish he could display his contested marking and his aggressive approach more consistantly but hats off to him for making the right call in retirement.

Classy. Love him or hate him, he was one of ours and deserves respect in retirement.

 

[ghostdog]

Thanks for your service, Shaun. You did have some ripping moments in the sash. All the best.

 

[eastaugh36]

Hang on, he didn’t retire. I’m sick of these players saying they retired when they have been delisted. Why do they do this?

 

[Highly Evolved]

Good on you Saviour, enjoy your retirement. Gave his all for the red and black.

 

[fairbump_playon]

Fascinating player - I always have some faves in the bottom half of the list and Smack was firmly in that camp. I always rooted for him and his mistakes never caused me the angst that some others’ do.

Wheel and go son, wheel and go

 

[jmoo wan]

Hang on, he didn’t retire. I’m sick of these players saying they retired when they have been delisted. Why do they do this?

i know right? how dare they end their careers with a little dignity. bunch of arseholes the lot of them.

 

[fairbump_playon]

Hang on, he didn’t retire. I’m sick of these players saying they retired when they have been delisted. Why do they do this?

This is a ridiculous comment. There’s a huge stack of delisted players who hang around each year hoping to be nabbed by other clubs - and many are.

He hasn’t retired from Essendon. He’s retired from football.

 

[eastaugh36]

i know right? how dare they end their careers with a little dignity. bunch of arseholes the lot of them.

I understand that but they never used to do this. Why has it suddenly started happening?

 

[eastaugh36]

This is a ridiculous comment. There’s a huge stack of delisted players who hang around each year hoping to be nabbed by other clubs - and many are.

He hasn’t retired from Essendon. He’s retired from football.

If he’s retired from football and it was his decision then yes he’s retired.
If he’s been told his services aren’t required regardless of whether he will pursue another club then he’s been delisted.
If it were me I wouldn’t be calling myself retired when the club has given me the chop, I’d find that embarrassing.

 

[jmoo wan]

I understand that but they never used to do this. Why has it suddenly started happening?

oh don’t back down now - I’m 100% with you. they should be forced to parade around the MCG on grand final day (in usual circumstances) with their heads bowed low holding a sign saying “I was delisted because I am not up to it” and everyone in the crowd should yell “Shame!! Shame!!”.

I might be old fashioned but that’s how they should deal with it.

 

[Mr Bultitude]

Thanks for the memories Smack, loved ya, campaigner warts and all.

 

[eastaugh36]

oh don’t back down now - I’m 100% with you. they should be forced to parade around the MCG (in usual circumstances) with their heads bowed low holding a sign saying “I was delisted because I am not up to it” and everyone in the crowd should yell “Shame!! Shame!!”.

I might be old fashioned but that’s how they should deal with it.

There’s no shame in it as far as I’m concerned. Anyone who can even make a clubs list deserves respect regardless of playing 1 game or 300 games.

 

[fairbump_playon]

If he’s retired from football and it was his decision then yes he’s retired.
If he’s been told his services aren’t required regardless of whether he will pursue another club then he’s been delisted.
If it were me I wouldn’t be calling myself retired when the club has given me the chop, I’d find that embarrassing.

You’re totally missing the point.

If you have been delisted and are keen to play next year somewhere else you should call yourself delisted.

If you’ve been delisted and are now hanging up your boots and not taking calls from other teams (or calling them) - you’re retired.