Jordie McKenzie

[Green Machine 63]

11 tackles last week and 12 this week, he is a tackling MACHINE!!!

[The Chazz 4,077]

or does it mean he is 2nd to the ball?

[Chook 15,022]

McKenzie was great today. So many of his tackles turn the game from worried defence into sweeping attack. Good to see our young'uns showing the older guys a thing or two about how to create a turnover.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

I reckon it was McKenzie that started us off today he is so hard at the ball. He has a lot to offer his speed, tackling and disposal are all good.

[Felix 92]

yep, Mckenzie is awesome, he will only get better with more games. I can see why they were eager to get him into the senior side.

[Guest Rojik of the Arctic]

or does it mean he is 2nd to the ball?

It means that if you get the ball and he is around you'd better have some fancy footwork or you will be eating grass.

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,294]

yep, Mckenzie is awesome, he will only get better with more games. I can see why they were eager to get him into the senior side.

He is super impressive. Not only hard at it, I have confidence when he has the ball. Will beef up in 2 years and has nothing but upside! Exciting.

[Inner Demon 1]

And to think people say we don't do well from our rookie list. This kid was given offers to leave this off season. His story is a big tick for him, our recruitment and our list management.

[Felix 92]

He is super impressive. Not only hard at it, I have confidence when he has the ball. Will beef up in 2 years and has nothing but upside! Exciting.

once he beefs up, those tackles are going to hurt the poor bloke being tackled , he played a great game today. I am very impressed by the young man.

[dazzledavey36 55,361]

i have said it since the very ever first game i saw of him last year at casey. he is our very own brett kirk!

[heartbeatstrue 57]

yep, Mckenzie is awesome, he will only get better with more games. I can see why they were eager to get him into the senior side.

I love this guy!

[Dee Dee 1,117]

I think this kid is terrific!

But he's a rookie and only playing because of long term injury to (I think)Morton or Jurrah. Once one of them is fit what happens then? Do we lose him back to the rookie list and Casey?

[Steamin Demon 392]

Great effort by Jordie, He set the tone early and didn't stop allday. He was also super effective by hand and foot.

[Nasher 33,617]

I think this kid is terrific!

But he's a rookie and only playing because of long term injury to (I think)Morton or Jurrah. Once one of them is fit what happens then? Do we lose him back to the rookie list and Casey?

I'm not clear on the rules, but I'm pretty sure we're allowed to keep one on the senior list. I wouldn't worry, the club will do everything it can to keep him on the senior list for the whole year, as he's easily in our best 22.

[bananas 428]

Every year you look for young kids to come in and grab a best-22 spot by the scruff of the neck ... Jordie's done that, and I don't think he'll be dropped again. Ever again. He's Junior junior. I love him already.

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,294]

I think this kid is terrific!

But he's a rookie and only playing because of long term injury to (I think)Morton or Jurrah. Once one of them is fit what happens then? Do we lose him back to the rookie list and Casey?

Luke Tapscott would be 1 on the LTI who will miss at least 3 months. If Jordie is still kickn butt I doubt they`d rush Luke in for a handful of end of season games if it meant losing Jordie for the year. He is 1st picked out of the 22 the way he`s travelling at the moment.

[Yokozuna 1,004]

He started our run, and got plenty of clearances.

What was a great improvement, bar 1 kick, was his use of the ball. He hit targets, and lowered his eyes instead ofjust pumping the ball long.

In terms of his spot on the list, given that we have 3 elevated rookies now, it is up the club who they put back on the rookie list if the other player comes back to play. If all 3 listed players return, then all 3 rookie players need to go back to the rookie list. But I am sure there will be another injury or two (but I hope not) to assist with keeping Jordie on the list.

[Redleg 41,477]

Great effort by Jordie, He set the tone early and didn't stop allday. He was also super effective by hand and foot.

Agree. Spoke to him recently at a function and he is a quiet but very determined boy. He would love nothing better than to have a great career with the Dees. He is on the way.

[dees 1858 0]

Hope this guy stays in our side for a very long time! Fantastic young player - becoming one of my favourites!!!

[Deeoldfart 8,065]

Jordie is an exciting prospect. Love his tackling and ball use. Should be a perfect complement to our emerging midfield gems.

[twist 0]

I think this kid is terrific!

But he's a rookie and only playing because of long term injury to (I think)Morton or Jurrah. Once one of them is fit what happens then? Do we lose him back to the rookie list and Casey?

The way we go with injuries he will play the whole year.

[Guest watts04]

Connolly said he will play 200 games and im on board.

Could be a bit of a cult hero in time....red hair, took a pay cut, hard.......

[titan_uranus 25,045]

or does it mean he is 2nd to the ball?

It means he puts pressure on opposition ball carriers.

You can't have the ball 100% of the time. When we don't have it, McKenzie's the first one to hit the contest hard. He's a great player.

[jayceebee31 761]

All the accolades given to this young footballer are well founded. He gives you that feel of security that we are going the right way. He will end up a very solid player(Ling type)whom will not only defend but create. Another poster thinks he is Kirk like- I feel Jordie has got greater depth and far better kick.Will allow young players like Blease, Bennell to be run with players whilst he either gets the hard ball or nullifies. Tapscott will be another hard nosed type when he begins. GO DEES.

[Jaded No More 68,974]

Love love love him.

Goes about his business, is HARD at the ball and the man and is surprisingly good with his disposal.

Does anyone know why he wasn't picked up in the draft? What were his major deficiencies according to the recruiters?