EDFL 2021: Maribyrnong Park star John McKenzie returns to Tasmania
Essendon District Football League outfit Maribyrnong Park has waved goodbye to its star captain, declaring him “irreplaceable”.
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One of the leading players in the Essendon District Football League is on the move.
Universally respected Maribyrnong Park skipper John McKenzie has opted to return to Tasmania and will take the field for Old Scotch Collegians in 2021.
McKenzie claimed the Lions’ best-and-fairest last year and has been selected in the Premier Division Team of the Year twice (2017 and 2019).
Maribyrnong Park football manager Jarrad Carey lauded the tireless midfielder for his enormous contribution.
He said the club “knew it was coming”, with McKenzie returning to his home state with wife Emily and young son Gus.
“I think he’s been grossly underrated as a footballer,” Carey said.
“But more importantly, he’s just one of the best blokes you could ever wish to meet.
“Personally, I’ve been involved in footy at every level and worked with some outstanding leaders like Nathan Buckley and Nick Maxwell (at Collingwood) … but JMac is probably the best leader I’ve ever been involved with.
“He’s just an outstanding person, very welcoming to everyone who comes into the club, very thoughtful, very empathetic. He’s just a ripper.
“He is irreplaceable.”
But Carey said McKenzie’s departure would provide opportunities for younger players to fill the void.
The Lions are set to retain the bulk of their list, but they have also lost Nathan McLellan (country football) and Rhys Mutch (relocating to South Australia).
On the plus side, their 2020 recruits have re-committed.
They regained twin towers Nick and Chris Prowse, who returned from Old Xaverians, before the season was canned.
Mitch Comben (Surfers Paradise), Patrick McCarthy (Kyneton), Cooper Page (Albury Tigers) and ex-Calder Cannon Ismail Moussa also linked up with the club.
Carey said Maribyrnong Park hopeful Comben and McCarthy would secure VFL contracts.
The Lions are not expecting Jean-Luc Velissaris to play in the EDFL next year, with Northern Bullants to compete in the expanded 22-team VFL competition.
Carey said they were in discussions with “four or five players” to bolster the line-up.
“In terms of recruiting, we’re really keen to develop from within,” he said.
“Our under-19 premiership side from (2017) has filled the bulk of our planning, and we think their natural development will hold us in good stead, particularly for the coming years but also for 2021.
“We’re really comfortable with where we are at. We’re not going out and chasing big names, but we’re still hoping to top up what we’ve already got.”
Maribyrnong Park finished in sixth position with a 7-11 record in 2019.
Brad Swain, who has held coaching roles at Port Melbourne and South Launceston, has been appointed coach for next season.
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