Norwood’s Brad McKenzie named SANFL Player of the Week after impressing in win over Bloods

Brad McKenzie has benefited from his first full pre-season with Norwood and his class and elite skills were again on show against West Adelaide to earn him SANFL/Advertiser Player of the Week.

• Monday Recovery: Bloods paying dearly for naps
• Redlegs have blood pumping

Skilful defender Brad McKenzie admits it was a relief to front Glenelg in the opening round this season.

This is McKenzie’s third year with the Redlegs after joining the club from North Melbourne, but the first when he has been available for the season opener after being troubled by injuries in the pre-season.

Norwood defender Brad McKenzie showed off his elite skills in the win over West Adelaide on Friday night. Picture Dean Martin

An ankle issue forced him to miss the opening seven rounds in 2017 and then the start of last season was disrupted by a knee problem in the pre-season when he needed minor surgery.

“I made it a focus this year to get a full pre-season and manage my body,” McKenzie said. “Obviously it is such a benefit to be able to train fully and not be behind the rest of the group.

“That was a relief in itself to play round one this year. The body has felt really good, a few niggles here and there, but nothing to keep me out.

“I’m ready to go each week which is a good feeling.”

That “good feeling” was evident at The Parade on Friday night when McKenzie dominated the defensive zone against West Adelaide to be a significant spark in the impressive win for the Redlegs, who were coming off back-to-back losses to Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens.

He accumulated a game-high 35 disposals and his elite kicking skills were again on show in a performance recognised as The Advertiser/SANFL Player of the Week.

“That was one of our best four-quarter efforts this year,” he said. “The game against the Crows we let slip a substantial lead and then did it again against the Eagles.

“It was a good wake up call for the group and the coaching staff to rectify what we were doing badly.”

Brad McKenzie tries to break Boyd Woodcock’s tackle in last year’s grand final. Picture: Sarah Reed

After putting the “shattering” grand final loss to North Adelaide immediately behind them, the Redlegs have responded with highly encouraging form to be third on the ladder.

McKenzie said the club was in a really good position, and while the start to the season had not been convincing, they had been racking up the wins.

“There is a lot of room to improve,” he said. “We played some of our best footy for the year on the weekend and now we need to keep winning to get in the top three and give ourselves a chance in the finals.”