Former North Melbourne midfielder Brad McKenzie joins Norwood
BRAD McKenzie’s Twitter account reveals his excitement at his former club Sturt’s premiership win. Yet when it came to finding a new team this month the midfielder opted to join Norwood.
BRAD McKenzie’s Twitter account reveals his excitement at his former club Sturt’s premiership win, posting “Up the Double Blues!!!” on September 25.
Yet when it came to finding a new team this month after his axing from North Melbourne, the left-footed midfielder/half-back flanker opted to join Norwood.
McKenzie says he still holds Sturt, where he played three league games before being drafted, close to his heart but he wants a fresh start.
The chance to become teammates with long-time friends Anthony Giannini and Alex Forster is a determining factor.
“I played all my juniors at Sturt so they’re always going to be a part of me,” McKenzie, 23, says.
“It was good to see them win a flag this year.
“Norwood showed a lot of interest in me and I’ve got a couple of really good mates I’ve always said I wanted to play with again.
“I’m quite excited to try something different because I was getting a little bit stale (at North Melbourne).”
McKenzie played 37 games for the Kangaroos, including 14 this season, after being drafted from Sturt in 2011.
“It was an up and down five years, obviously, for me.
“It was a great learning experience ... and time goes pretty quickly.
“You always need a little bit of luck to crack into a side in the AFL but every time I got in and had a couple of OK games, I’d find myself out of the team again.
“I couldn’t quite get that continuity.”
Playing alongside Brent Harvey when the Kangaroos champion broke the league’s games record of 426 against St Kilda in July ranks as a career highlight for McKenzie.
“That’s obviously something I’ll never forget.
“I was very fortunate to play in that game and we had a win, which made it even better.”
McKenzie is leaving the door open for another AFL opportunity but is not looking too far ahead.
“I’m just looking forward to my year with Norwood, hopefully having a bit of success there and hopefully having a good year.”