Draft Profile Brad McKenzie

[dajesmac]

188cm mid from Sturt. Whats his style? Range?

 

[DANGERZONE123]

188cm mid from Sturt. Whats his style? Range?

He is a classy player, but seems awkward almost laconic in the way he distributes due to his gangly stature. He seems to play a bit slow, but that is no detriment as he works hard to make time and space so he can assess his options and execute flawlessly on the majority of occasions. Although pretty light at the moment, he has had successful stints in the middle capable of winning multiple clearances for Sturt and SA in the championships. At this stage, a bit more of a flanker, but could develop into a tall tough midfielder ala Pendlebury, albeit less athletic. Football brain and a natural footballer. Quite easily kicks 60m, straight, and on the run (shown by his fantastic on the run HR, followed by 60-65m drop punt under pressure, straight through the big sticks), which shows a strong capacity for goal kicking and a keen goal sense. Seems to have a pretty good tank, nothing amazing.

Definitely a talent, with the only detriments being on his game that he might not tackle as much or he may be bodied easier than others from my observations. That'll come with time, hardness and extra muscle (which I question how much he could put on). He also doesn't find as much of the ball for the quality ball user he is, though he does make each disposal count which is the least you could say.

Range: Mid 1st Round (12-20)

 

[dajesmac]

Thanks for that, interesting. Would you say he is more of an inside player then? Seems to have a lot of similarities to Gaff at West Coast. We might not have a need for McKenzie at WCE though, just saw someone had him going to us in a phantom so was keen.

Sounds like he has potential though.

 

[DANGERZONE123]

Thanks for that, interesting. Would you say he is more of an inside player then? Seems to have a lot of similarities to Gaff at West Coast. We might not have a need for McKenzie at WCE though, just saw someone had him going to us in a phantom so was keen.

Sounds like he has potential though.

He seems to be more of an outside player at the moment. He can get a hard ball, but whenever there is congestion I notice him staying out of it then using that racking left foot to clear.

 

[lotum]

definetely an outside hb, wing or hf good mark great kick with a good head on his shouldersm good decision maker.

 

[Chris25]

McKenzie could play inside for sure, eventually he will rotate through the centre as well as playing off a flank/wing. But for now, his greatest asset is his kicking so I imagine teams would want to make the most of that. Like his name sake up on the Gold Coast.

 

[DANGERZONE123]

McKenzie could play inside for sure, eventually he will rotate through the centre as well as playing off a flank/wing. But for now, his greatest asset is his kicking so I imagine teams would want to make the most of that. Like his name sake up on the Gold Coast.

Don't get me wrong, I think McKenzie is a beautiful kick, and could develop into a potentially elite one, but there are some players you just don't compare with because in that particular skill they are simply "godly" - collaboratively with execution, skill and power. GC's McKenzie, Hurn, Griffen and I would say Dew to an extent are some who I believe are in this exclusive category.

I just think its wrong to compare the two McKenzies (at this stage) because I don't see Brad banging in a 65-70m goal off one step. He can do it on the run from 60, but some players are just.... jizzworthy.

 

[Chris25]

I'm not saying Brad is as good a kick, because he isn't. But there is more to Trent than just his kicking. As overall players, the two McKenzie's are quite similar.

 

[dajesmac]

Thanks guys. Dangerzone you said he plays slow, does that apply to his footspeed aswell? Or stuff like decision making etc.

 

[DANGERZONE123]

Thanks guys. Dangerzone you said he plays slow, does that apply to his footspeed aswell? Or stuff like decision making etc.

Not sure, he seems to be one of those deceptively quick players. He has loooong legs, so while he may not be running hard, he moves quick over short distances because of them, but I haven't seen any blistering pace from him. I guess you could say he has sufficient speed for the kind of player he is.

 

[Daz]

Thanks guys. Dangerzone you said he plays slow, does that apply to his footspeed aswell? Or stuff like decision making etc.

He certainly doesn't have explosive speed. Decision making is good, though.

 

[Hipster Doofus]

I reckon we'll pick him up with our first pick

 

[GarnerSmash]

Needles to say, like every teams first rounder, North are pretty happy to get McKenzie, and if this vid is anything to go by he is already the best kick at the club.

[YOUTUBE]RIiom-0Gs4M[/YOUTUBE]