Port Adelaide defender Trent McKenzie on his AFL lifeline, a crack at American football and playing his old side in Round 1
His AFL career was on life support midway through last year, having played just one game since joining the Power. Now, Trent McKenzie is back in the thick of the big time.
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Port Adelaide’s ‘cannon’ is reloaded and ready to go.
Trent McKenzie’s AFL career looked to be up for much of last year, before the defender won himself a new deal following a standout SANFL finals campaign.
And while McKenzie is investigating a shift stateside to try his hand at the NFL post-AFL, the 27-year-old says he is ready to cement a spot in Port’s senior side – starting with a trip to the Gold Coast to take on his former club.
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McKenzie has played only two AFL games in two years for Port since being claimed as a delisted free agent at the end of 2017, following 106 games in seven seasons for the Suns.
The most recent, in the final round of 2019 against Fremantle looked to be the last time McKenzie played for Port despite shining with 21 disposals, four marks and six rebound 50s.
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But, following strong form in the SANFL finals, a lifeline has been grasped by McKenzie with both hands and after playing in Port’s two Marsh Community Series games he is in the side for Round 1.
“We had a bit of a shorter break (in the off-season) because of the SANFL finals and that was a good thing for me so I could take that into the pre-season,” he told The Advertiser.
“Yeah that is pretty much it (that he won a new AFL lifeline), if I wasn’t playing my best footy or close to it I would be out the door.”
In fact the man nicknamed The Cannon because of his booming left-foot kick had begun to look at potentially trying his luck as a punter in the NFL.
“I have been doing some research on it, if things don’t work out I might head over there but nothing is set in stone as yet I’ll just see how my football goes first,” he said.
“And if that is an option I might look at that down the track.”
But with at least one more year in the AFL, McKenzie’s focus is on the Australian game – starting with his first match against the Suns at an empty Metricon Stadium.
“I haven’t played the Gold Coast yet since I left so it will be exciting for me,” he said.
“I won’t be copping any abuse over the other side of the fence, which will be good.
“But I’m excited about going over there and getting the chocolates.”
The departure of Dougal Howard to St Kilda, and Dan Houston’s move to the midfield, has opened up a spot for McKenzie in Port Adelaide’s backline.
After being a part of Gold Coast’s first years in the AFL, he said he was excited at the prospect of being a part of Port Adelaide’s 150th year as a club.
“I think the boys have a real excitement about them,” he said.
“We’ve had some handy wins in the pre-season … so some things have gone right.
“I’m just trying to do my best for the team and it’s pretty handy that a spot has opened up for me.”
McKenzie and Power players flew to Queensland on a chartered plane, as part of ongoing preventive measures around the coronavirus.