Shaun McKernan boots six goals in Bundoora debut, excited by Peter McEvoy partnership

Bundoora recruit Shaun McKernan made an instant impact for the Bulls and paid credit to his partnership with “immense” Peter McEvoy.

Bundoora's debutants Lachie East, Peter McEvoy, Shaun McKernan and Ben McNiece.

Shaun McKernan joining Bundoora was one of the biggest off-season moves across Melbourne’s local footy competitions.

Shifting from EDFL Division 1 outfit Tullamarine, where he won the league best-and-fairest last season, the key forward looms as a key addition in Bundoora’s NFNL Division 1 premiership push.

And the former Adelaide, Essendon and St Kilda big man made an instant impact with a match-winning six goals on his Bulls debut in the eight-point win over Banyule at Yulong Reserve.

McKernan was typically self-effacing, preferring to praise the work of his teammates up the ground.

“Like anything when you kick goals, it’s nice, but that comes off the work of the rest of the team,” he said.

Shaun McKernan in the ruck for Tullamarine. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“Peter McEvoy didn’t hit the scoreboard but his work-rate at half-forward was huge, not necessarily getting the ball but opening space for other guys and some of his efforts to compete and lay tackles.

“Playing alongside him, it’s massive, he’s such an experienced footballer and while he didn’t get on the scoreboard some of his work off the ball was immense.

“To play alongside him in the front six every week is going to be pretty exciting.

“Obviously I reaped the rewards on the weekend but I hope it’s not always going to be like that and everyone gets their moment.”

Making his senior debut, Jack Maruff booted three goals, while Danny Younan, Kain Proctor, Nathan Thomas and Kyle Green also hit the scoreboard.

McKernan was named Bundoora’s best in the 13.5 (83) to 10.15 (75) win, along with Jack Hobbs, Hamish Shepheard and fellow recruit Joe Palazzolo.

Bundoora burst out of the blocks piling on seven goals to nil in the first quarter to establish a 43-point lead at quarter-time and the margin was 42 at the half.

However, Banyule roared back into the contest and almost pinched a stunning win with a six-goal-to-two second half, left to rue inaccuracy.

Peter McEvoy in action for Coburg.

It was a stark wake-up call for Bundoora.

“The game itself, we started well and got out to a good lead and then after half-time – full credit to Banyule they found another gear – we dropped off a fair bit in certain areas,” McKernan said.

“Banyule had just come up but they won’t be down the bottom of the ladder in my opinion, they showed a lot of signs to say they’ll compete with a lot of teams.

“Moving forward, even this week against North Heidelberg, if we dish up that footy like we did in the second half teams will find us out pretty quickly.

“We take the win but the level wasn’t satisfactory, we’ve got high standards at the club, and there’s plenty of room for improvement.”

McKernan was one of six debutants, along with Lachie East, Peter McEvoy, Ben McNiece, Harry Butterworth and Maruff.

He will form a deadly three-tall combination with McEvoy and Shepheard in attack and the ruck.

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“I’d heard a lot of good things about Shep, how he competes, how he throws himself into the contest and how strong and powerful he is, it’s good to have those guys alongside you,” McKernan said.

“I had a little spell in the ruck but we predominantly let Shep do his thing and we had Liam Kolar as well from Preston and he gave a little bit of relief as well.”

Bundoora will face North Heidelberg in Round 2 with the Bulldogs coming off a heart-breaking one-point loss to premier Heidelberg in Round 1.

Banyule will host Hurstbridge at AK Lines Reserve as they look for their first win in the top flight.