Ellie McKenzie says it would be an honour to be the AFLW Draft’s No.1 pick
Northern Knights co-captain and explosive midfielder Ellie McKenzie says it would be an honour to be the AFLW Draft’s No.1 pick but knows the hard work is only just beginning.
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AFL Women’s No.1 draft pick contender Ellie McKenzie says it would be an honour to hear her name called out first on Tuesday but knows the real work is only just starting.
The Northern Knights co-captain has been earmarked as a star of the future since making her NAB League debut as a 16-year-old.
Now the hard-working midfielder is poised to fulfil her dream with either Richmond (pick No.1) or Western Bulldogs (No.2) sure to call out her name.
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“It’s a lot of pressure but if it does happen I’ll be really grateful and take it as a credit to my hard work,” McKenzie said.
“At the end of the day, if I’m not pick No.1, if I’m pick No.40, it doesn’t really matter I just want to get drafted because it’s been my dream for so long.
“When you go into a club all the draftees have to produce the same results.
“It would be an amazing honour to be pick No.1, it’s not the be-all and end-all for me.”
The sister of former North Melbourne rookie Tom McKenzie, Ellie has developed into an explosive midfielder who can also push forward and impact the scoreboard.
As a 17-year-old, the Fitzroy junior averaged 15 disposals and kicked seven goals as the Knights claimed a maiden NAB League Girls premiership and 16 disposals and 3.5 tackles in two Under-18 National Championships matches for Vic Metro.
In the three games before the season was cancelled McKenzie lifted her output to 19 disposals and five marks per outing.
The 173cm ball-winner has been concentrating on her Year 12 studies during the lockdown and keeping up her fitness without burning out.
“For me, and a lot of the other girls, footy is a big part of our lives, so it’s been a big adjustment,” she said.
“I’ve just been trying to focus on my Year 12 studies and getting a bit of exercise in as well to make sure I’m as fit and healthy as I can be for pre-season.
“I’ve also given myself a bit of a rest to make sure I’m 100 per cent for the start of the AFLW pre-season.
“Obviously, if it had have been a normal draft year you would have played NAB League then gone to nationals and played VFLW and then straight into the draft and pre-season, which is pretty full on.
“If anything it might be a bit of a blessing that we’ve all had a break before going into the AFLW when it’s a lot harder than NAB League.”
The Maribyrnong Sports Academy student says the Knights’ playing group’s strong bond had helped her through the difficult period.
“(Coach) Marcus (Abney-Hastings) and (talent manager) Nat (Grindal) are always reaching out to us, individually and as a group, to check in and make sure we’re OK,” McKenzie said.
“I think that’s definitely important in times like this when people might feel isolated, our culture of having a strong connection has helped us through this time.
“Everyone is in the same boat, so it’s good to have people to relate to and talk to about this stuff.”