Tara Murray
Northern Knights co-captain Ellie McKenzie has had a football in her hands most of her life, and come Tuesday night, she’s hoping that it all pays off
McKenzie starting playing when she was young and has continued through the ranks. She is now seen as a possible number one draft pick in the AFLW draft.
For McKenzie, football started off as something that she loved.
“I started playing footy when I was about 5-6, just going down to AusKick after my brother went down and then played junior footy at Fitzroy Football Club,” she said.
“I don’t think I ever suspected that footy would go anywhere for me.
“I was just playing with the boys and enjoying it, so then to hear in 2017 they announced an AFLW competition, I was just ecstatic and I felt like I was finally working towards something.
“I’ve been working towards it ever since it has been brought into existence. It’s so special to be a pioneer in the competition that has only played for four years.
“If I was to be drafted that would be amazing.”
Having done all the right things the last two years, including playing for Vic Metro in the national championships last season and earning selection in the AFLW Academy, McKenzie was primed for a big 2020.
She had her best pre-season at the Northern Knights, with the side undefeated after three rounds coming off a premiership season the year before.
McKenzie, like many others, was shattered when the season was cancelled due to COVID-19.
“It was pretty shattering for me as I had my best pre-season at the Knights and I think our team was destined to possibly win another grand final,” she said.
“Obviously it was out of our control and everyone was in the same boat.
“Those three games were some of the best games that I’ve ever been a part of. Our team was really strong together and we had worked really hard over the pre-season.
“For me personally, I was really happy with my performance.”
McKenzie said being named co-captain of the side had been a real honour. She said leadership was something that she had identified as one area of her game that she had needed to work on.
Like several of her Knights teammates, McKenzie credits the culture at the Knights as playing a key part in individual and team success in recent years.
“I think the main reason we had so much success was the connection,” she said. “Everyone got along with everyone and we were all friends on and off the field.
“That connection and that really strong culture that we built down there, just created a really good environment for everyone.
“The ability to make friendships and become close with your teammates, I think that’s the key for success.
“[Coach] Marcus [Abney-Hastings] and [female talent manager] Nat [Grindal] and all the other coaches had worked really hard coming up with some good training ideas and some game plans and things like that.”
McKenzie said not having football this year had been a bit different and took a bit of adjusting too.
She tried to spend that extra time on her year 12 studies.
With several clubs expressing interest in drafting her, McKenzie was selected for the AFLW state combine.
Due to COVID-19, the Victorians won’t get the chance to test.
“Looking at the girls last year, I always wanted to be a part of it,” McKenzie said.
“To have that not happen in the normal circumstances is a bit upsetting, but to know that clubs are interested in me and that want to know more about me and how I work, I’m really pleased with that.”
McKenzie has spoken to several clubs via Zoom meetings in the lead up to the draft.
While the draft process this year is different, she has had some experience before with her brother Tom McKenzie who was rookie listed by North Melbourne a couple of years ago.
“I’m starting to get my head around it,” she said.
“I was there when he [Tom] went through the whole process… It was good to see how he handled all of that and learned a lot from it.
“It’s just great to know that clubs want to know me and I think it’s important.”
For now, she’s trying to stay focused on her school work.
“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”
The AFLW draft is being held on October 6. To see who has been drafted, go to www.starweekly.com.au
