Tom McKenzie is over the moon

26/11/2018

By Tara Murray

New North Melbourne rookie Tom McKenzie went through a range of emotions late last week as he waited to hear his name called out in the AFL drafts.

The Northern Knights midfielder didn’t expect his name to be called out during the first round on Thursday night – and that’s how events unfolded.

A sleepless Thursday night ensued for McKenzie as awaited the rest of the draft.

McKenzie’s mood dropped even further when he was surprisingly overlooked on the second day of the national draft.

“Coming into it, I was really nervous,” he said. “I had four or five hours sleep the night beforehand.

“I watched the whole national draft and it was terrible. I had got my hopes up that I would be selected.”

McKenzie then turned his attention to other things and was unaware the rookie draft had started earlier than he had been expecting.

Not paying attention to the computer screen, McKenzie missed that North Melbourne had taken him with the 10th pick of the rookie draft.

“I started getting all these texts telling me I had been picked up,” he said.

“I went from being down in the dumps to being over the moon.

“I couldn’t be happier to be going to North Melbourne.”

McKenzie said his selection in the rookie draft showed the hard work he had done leading into and during the TAC Cup season had paid off.

He said he was really proud of his top-age year at the Knights, which included him playing for Vic Metro.

“I moved into the midfield and had to become bigger and stronger,” he said.

“I had to start winning my own ball. I’m really happy with my year and I put my best foot forward.”

Among those to contact him after the draft were Kangaroos coach Brad Scott and captain Jack Ziebell.

Kangaroos and Knights legend Brent Harvey also paid a visit to have a chat about what will happen next.

“I got call from Brad and Jack and some texts from some of the other players,” McKenzie said.

“They sort of welcomed me to the club and they’re happy to have me on board.

“Brad said, ‘You’ve got the talent but once you get onto an AFL list everyone has talent, too – it all depends on how hard you work’.”

The Fitzroy junior started training with the Kangaroos on Monday. The first week he will spend living in a share house with the rest of the draftees.

“It’s a dream come true and I want to put my best foot forward,” he said. “They’ve shown trust in me and I want to show them I’m worth it.”

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