There’s a snippet in The Age about Melbourne having an interest in Shaun McKernan (although the Saints appear to be front runners for him ATM).

From Sam Edmund on SEN this morning:

 

Ugh.

No thanks.

Given we have Gawn, it makes sense to have back up rucks that are on low wages and can play in other positions. McKernan has been inconsistent, but has played some great games and was a bit stiff to be delisted IMO, particularly with Daniher departing.

I also like the idea of one year deals, because drafting is going to be especially challenging this year and draftees get two year deals.

If we're in for McKernan, which doesn't excite me at all, then it would seem to suggest that we have others in the pipeline to move on, such as Tom and Oscar McDonald.  I can't see us signing him without moving Tom on as it would make little sense.  I'd just back Tom in to get fitter next year than have McKernan on the list.

McKernan makes perfect sense as emergency ruck back-up for Max with Preuss leaving for GWS.

We have Mitch Brown who could be the current day Cam Pederson in case Max is out for any length of time. 

Within a game or S-T basis any number of players can cover Max.

Edited November 1, 20205 yr by Lucifer's Hero

Interesting....

5 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

If we're in for McKernan, which doesn't excite me at all, then it would seem to suggest that we have others in the pipeline to move on, such as Tom and Oscar McDonald.  I can't see us signing him without moving Tom on as it would make little sense.  I'd just back Tom in to get fitter next year than have McKernan on the list.

Tom has one foot out the door. Has been sited meeting with other clubs. Collingwood keen to have him in their backline.

Gawn, Ben Brown, Jackson, Weideman, Mitch Brown and now Mckernan? Do we really need another Fwd/Ruck utility type??

id love getting mckernan if it means both McDonald's are out of the door. 

Last few years, and likely this year, we've lost Tim Smith, Hogan, Preuss, TMac, Watts, Pedersen, and maybe more? (Did I forget anyone?)

We've replaced them with Mitch Brown and Jackson, and hopefully Ben Brown. (Apologies to Petty, but unproven as yet IMO). It's not as much depth as people think.

I get that McKernan isn't a very exciting acquisition, but looking at the list as a whole we really need to load up on the forward line this year. He'll cost nothing and would assume he'd be happy enough playing at Casey until needed. Not against this decision.

Small forward depth a big need as well I reckon.

Edited November 1, 20205 yr by Lord Nev

Just now, AaronDaveyChipsAndGravey said:

Gawn, Ben Brown, Jackson, Weideman, Mitch Brown and now Mckernan? Do we really need another Fwd/Ruck utility type??

Short answer is yes

Can remember this guy tearing us up last year with a 4 goal performance...only to find out after the game that he tore a hammy and played on 1 leg just to further rub salt into our wounds. 

we could get TWO of my cult faves in one off-season! sideshow bob AND mckernahan?!

bring it

he is one of the few players at the peptides that i've really liked over the years; always thought of him as their version of pedersen

With Oscar leaving I can see Petty being predominantly involved with the backline next season. So the extra depth in the forward line isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Still would be an odd move if we do end up with Ben Brown. Perhaps an insurance move.

To me we already have Mitch Brown as that fourth tall option behind B.Brown, Weid and Jackson. But I think Mitch only signed on for one year right? Hasn't been delisted yet?

Edited November 2, 20205 yr by Yung Blood

14 minutes ago, Yung Blood said:

Tom has one foot out the door. Has been sited meeting with other clubs. Collingwood keen to have him in their backline.

No doubt about that, but interest in McKernan says that, potentially, we are far enough down the line with a club in offloading Tom for us to get in McKernan.  I can't see the club getting him if we are worried that we can move him on.

7 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

No doubt about that, but interest in McKernan says that, potentially, we are far enough down the line with a club in offloading Tom for us to get in McKernan.  I can't see the club getting him if we are worried that we can move him on.

yep

As Old has mentioned, McKernan makes perfect sense.

We need a mature ruck backup.  Mitch Brown is hopeless in the ruck and Jackson is a baby.  If Gawn is injured there's no mature backup.

If it's not McKernan it will have to be someone else.

46 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

No thanks.

27 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

id love getting mckernan if it means both McDonald's are out of the door. 

So which one is it?

FWIW, I'm all for getting a back-up ruck onto the list to replace Preuss but I'm not sure McKernan is the best option.

2 minutes ago, Hannibal Inc. said:

As Old has mentioned, McKernan makes perfect sense.

We need a mature ruck backup.  Mitch Brown is hopeless in the ruck and Jackson is a baby.  If Gawn is injured there's no mature backup.

If it's not McKernan it will have to be someone else.

Mckernan is old, undurable and wouldnt be able to compete as a first choice ruck if Gawn went down. We would be struggling that bad if we're relying on Shaun Mckernan to carry our ruck load. Has always been more of a forward that pinch hits in the ruck and is exactly the type that Mitch Brown is. Why do we need another? If we seriously want another back up ruck we can surely do better than this...

8 minutes ago, AaronDaveyChipsAndGravey said:

Mckernan is old, undurable and wouldnt be able to compete as a first choice ruck if Gawn went down. We would be struggling that bad if we're relying on Shaun Mckernan to carry our ruck load. Has always been more of a forward that pinch hits in the ruck and is exactly the type that Mitch Brown is. Why do we need another? If we seriously want another back up ruck we can surely do better than this...

McKerrnan is much better in the ruck than Brown.

Have you seen Brown ruck ?  I'm guessing not.

Look, I couldn't give a rat's toss bag about McKernan, but with Preuss going we'll need mature backup in the ruck.  Brown will NEVER cut it.

So if not McKernan someone else.

Just now, Hannibal Inc. said:

McKerrnan is much better in the ruck than Brown.

Have you seen Brown ruck ?  I'm guessing not.

Look, I couldn't give a rat's toss bag about McKernan, but with Preuss going we'll need mature backup in the ruck.  Brown will NEVER cut it.

So if not McKernan someone else.

I agree it has to be someone else. Im well aware that Mitch Brown wont cut it and havent said he would, but I doubt Mckernan can cut it either. Again I'd be concerned that we'd be relying on Mckernan who has been on an AFL list since 2009 and has only played 80 odd games and no more than 15 in a season was bearing our ruck duties.

I'm also in the mind that if Jackson can put on a bit more size on this off season he can really have an impact in the ruck if called upon. Take a look at Tom De Konig from Carlton who is just about their 1st choice ruckman (roughly exactly the same heights and weights) and came in and made an immediate impact. I agree we need the backup...but Mckernan? Such a poor move to recruit an injury prone list clogger

Good lord