There’s nothing like a strong marking, prolific goalkicking, key forward to set football fans’ pulses racing.
Over the past few decades at Richmond, it’s been the likes of Royce Hart, Michael Roach, Brian Taylor, Matthew Richardson and Jack Riewoldt, who have thrilled the Tiger Army with their exciting exploits up forward.
Now, following the recent 2014 AFL National Draft, there’s a new kid on the block at Tigerland. He’s big, strong, and thrives on steering the ball between the big sticks.
Reece McKenzie was Richmond’s fifth, and final, selection (No. 77 overall) in the National Draft, but a lot of phantom drafts in the lead-up had him going much higher.
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After finally deciding to pursue an AFL career over his other sporting love, basketball, McKenzie had a major impact in season 2014, for both his school side Marcellin College, and TAC Cup team the Northern Knights.
The 18-year-old son of Carlton 1987 premiership player, Warren McKenzie, missed two of Marcellin’s eight games during the year, but still managed to win its best and fairest award, amassing 57 votes out of a possible 60.
A magnificent, school record-breaking, 16-goal display against Yarra Valley Grammar (eight goals coming in the last quarter), was the highlight of McKenzie’s season with Marcellin. All-up, he kicked almost 75% of the Marcellin team’s goals in the 2014 season.
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McKenzie also produced some brilliant performances for the Northern Knights, including 10 goals against Eastern Ranges and two other hauls of seven and six.
Northern Knights talent manager Peter Kennedy rated McKenzie as the best contested mark he’d seen at TAC Cup level in a decade.
“Reece has monster hands . . . He is an outstanding contested mark, and a real Tom Hawkins type,” Kennedy said.
“He doesn’t have a great motor, but is all about power, and he can run 20 metres in about three seconds flat, with good agility.
“Physically and athletically, he blew them away at the combine with his speed.
“He’s a good kid, and he loves playing forward and kicking goals.
“I know these days we have to move them around, because it’s part of their development, but the kid just loves it, and is so dangerous down there.
“If you kick it to him, he’ll mark it nine times out of 10.”
Kennedy believes the fact McKenzie was taken so late in the draft by the Tigers could prove to be a blessing in disguise . . .
“That late in the draft (pick 77), he’s got untapped potential,” Kennedy said.
“I think that being a little inconsistent might have seen him fall so far in the draft. But it takes pressure off him.
“If he turns out to be a great player, it’s a win for both the club and player.
“He could be the steal of the draft . . . time will tell.”
Big Mac a Tiger treat
There’s nothing like a strong marking, prolific goalkicking, key forward to set football fans’ pulses racing.