McKenna a Giant catch for Melbourne

"MELBOURNE has recruited Greater Western Sydney’s Pat McKenna to the club.

The red and blue gained McKenna and pick No.51 and exchanged picks No.57 and No.59 to the Giants.

The 20-year-old – who has signed on with Melbourne for the 2017-18 seasons – was originally drafted by the Giants at pick No.23 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft from Gisborne.

He was considered somewhat of a smoky in his draft year, given he was regarded as one of Australia’s best young cricket talents.

McKenna captained Australia in the 2014 under 19 world cup in Sri Lanka."

Ex. Aus cricketer. Melb keen in draft year.

From GWS website

A cricketer who captained the Australian under 19s in a tour of Sri Lanka in September/October, Mckenna played 18 senior matches for Gisborne Bulldogs in the Bendigo Football League in 2014, kicking 45 goals including a bag of nine against Kangaroo Flats. Was a surprise pick-up for the GIANTS but has plenty of promise.

Edited October 20, 20168 yr by Grimes Times

http://www.gwsgiants.com.au/player-profile/patrick-mckenna

GWS & Melbourne in surprise deal Giants get: 57 & 59 Melbourne get: Pat McKenna, 51 & 69

Was never going to get a run at the Giants, but i think he has some talent, so really i think it's a good little bargain get.

Well, there's our pick upgrade! Out of the blue, this one?

Welcome to the greatest club in the world, Pat.

I back Taylor/Viney's judgement on this one.

Edited October 20, 20168 yr by billy2803

Is he inside or outside and does he have leg speed? 

"2014 NAB AFL Draft 2nd round selection (GWS GIANTS) No.23 overall"

There is your Mahorney surprise

2014 Trade

Sam Frost, NDS 40 (Alex Neal-Bullen) & NDS 53 (Oscar McDonald), traded by GWS for NDS 23 (Patrick McKenna)

He is an absolute gun

(well...now that he is playing for us he is)

Never heard of him, but welcome and good luck.

Was pick 23 in 2014 - injuries have held him back so far. Apparently we were keen on him in his draft year.

"McKenna isn't especially quick, but at 186cm and 76kg has played a number of different roles through the season, where his game sense, overhead marking and foot skills impressed."

Pat McKenna was picked up much earlier than expected by GWS, thought he was a rookie prospect last year. We must rate him around 30 in this years draft if we have traded for him IMO

From this article:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-27/giant-leap-for-one-of-gws-six-draftees

McKenna, the left-handed batting Australian under-19 skipper, was taken by the Giants during the second round at No.23 overall.

 

The 18-year-old led his country on a tour to Sri Lanka in September, but it was there he decided on a career in football after excelling for Gisborne in the Bendigo Football League.

 

McKenna is 186cm and 76kg, is good overhead and with his good foot skills, can play a variety of positions.

 

Giants list manager Stephen Silvagni said he could see enormous upside in McKenna, once he got some pre-seasons into him.

 

"We know he runs very well and he's an elite ball user," Silvagni said.

 

"We rated him and we had pick 23 and we picked him. We were happy to get him there."

Half forward who impressed for Gisborne seniors after switching from cricket in 2014. Only switched to footy after national champs that year, but generated buzz. Was thought he might need another year of exposure, but after a big goal haul (10?) for Gisborne seniors, the draft buzz began.  I believe we had some interest late, but GWS grabbed him at 23.

Edit: Was a bag of 9 against Kangaroo Flat which got recruiters excited.

Edited October 20, 20168 yr by ChaserJ
Correction

SEN reported that we were interested in him in his draft year. 

Looks like he plays as a forward, so good to keep competition on the small/medium forwards/onballers for spots.

Good to get him and get a slight pick upgrade at the same time. 

Great time to join MFC, Patty.  Welcome aboard!!

 

Edited October 20, 20168 yr by Lucifer's Hero

Nice pickup. GWS offloading talent to free space. They have so much young talent depth on their list it's not funny. We'll take him. 

In all seriousness, welcome to the MFC Patty!

Edited October 20, 20168 yr by Demon Jack

MFC website claiming he is a good decision maker. One thing we definitely need

Edited October 20, 20168 yr by Mickey

Will he be just another Michie, Newton or Riley?

Weighs 82kg now which is pleasing.

The way we are going Draft Day is going to be really interesting for us, we were really keen as others have said on McKenna obviously have been closely monitoring since, that's the 3 spots filled now what?

It seems all those talking or Patty coming to Melbourne last year were right, they were just 12 months out! Unless they were talking about a different Patty, surely that isn't the case

 

Welcome to the club Patty. 

1 minute ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Will he be just another Michie, Newton or Riley?

Depends on whether you are a pessimist or optimistic the club knows what it is doing