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Central District’s Isaya McKenzie to miss 2020 season after rupturing ACL training with West Coast

Central District small forward Isaya McKenzie was hoping to pick up a rookie contract with West Coast, but he will miss the season following a knee injury.

Isaya McKenzie kicks terrific goal

Central District small forward Isaya McKenzie’s dreams of an AFL contract this season have evaporated after rupturing his ACL training with West Coast.

Scans confirmed McKenzie, who hurt the knee on Friday morning, will need a reconstruction and he has been ruled out for the 2020 season.

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McKenzie was invited to do the pre-season with the Eagles and was hoping to use the three months of work with the club to earn a rookie deal in the pre-season supplemental draft.

“We are devastated for the lad,” Bulldogs chief executive Kris Grant said. “It was an opportunity for him to have a crack into the AFL.

Isaya McKenzie passes off the ball at the SANFL Eagles versus Central District at Woodville Oval, Adelaide, Sunday, July 21, 2019. Picture: AAP Image/ Morgan Sette.
Isaya McKenzie passes off the ball at the SANFL Eagles versus Central District at Woodville Oval, Adelaide, Sunday, July 21, 2019. Picture: AAP Image/ Morgan Sette.

“It was a big decision for him to take up that opportunity and for it to fall away like that is very disappointing.”

Since making his league debut for the Bulldogs in 2016, the 22-year-old small forward has made 36 appearances in the club’s top side and kicked 37 goals.

However, he played the last four rounds plus the finals in the reserves this season.

McKenzie started the 2019 season in the reserves, before making 10 league appearances when he kicked three goals. He played the final four rounds, plus the finals, in the reserves.

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/local-footy-sa/sanfl/central-districts-isaya-mckenzie-to-miss-2020-season-after-rupturing-acl-training-with-west-coast/news-story/59a558cedd9d6d367a7c2dfa6c7d1936