Northern Knights’ Liam McMahon looms as a potential late draft steal

A developing key forward with elite athletic traits, Northern Knights’ Liam McMahon could be the next Jack Gunston if given the chance.

Liam McMahon in action for Northern Knights. Picture: Draft Central

A student of Jack Gunston’s game, Liam McMahon looms as a potential draft steal next Wednesday.

The Northern Knights draft hope models his game on the three-time premiership Hawk, using his strong marking and athleticism to make an impact across the ground.

A Richmond supporter growing up he’s also learnt plenty watching twin towers Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch.

“I like the way Lynch attacks the ball in the air and Riewoldt is kind of more on ground, you could say, using his ability on the ground,” McMahon said.

“I watch Jack Gunston and how he plays the game, I think there’s a strong comparison between me and him in the way he can impact aerially and then use his aerobic capacity to get up to centre half-back and run forward to provide an option.

Liam McMahon battles Joseph Chaplin in the ruck. Picture: Matt Thompson

“I love to get up the ground and provide an option for the half-backs and midfielders as a connecting link.

“I like to use my running capability to be that option but of course I’m open to adapting to either a deep forward or high forward.”

At 195cm, McMahon impressed at the recent Vic Metro combine, registering an elite 6.38 2km time trial to be just outside the top-10 times nationally and strong results in the 20m sprint (2.9sec) and vertical jump (86cm).

While the NAB League season was cancelled, the Eltham junior showed flashes of brilliance in 15 games as a bottom-ager in 2019.

He tore Murray Bushrangers apart with an eye-catching 11-disposal, seven-mark and three-goal performance.

The St Helena’s Secondary College student has added 8kg to his frame in a bid to be ready for the AFL environment.

Liam McMahon in action for Northern Knights. Picture: Draft Central

“I’ve just taken each moment for what it is, I’m not worrying about anything that I can’t control,” McMahon said.

“I’ve been going down to the gym, putting in extra running sessions and that sort of stuff, and focused on school with exams coming up.

“I think I’ve coped well (with the cancelled season).

“We’ve had a heap of contact from our coaches and Paul Hamilton at Vic Metro always has training programs to keep us occupied.

“Some of the Knights coaches were let go this year but I’ve kept in contact with them to talk about what I could be doing, they’ve been huge for my development.”

Several clubs have shown interest in McMahon ahead of Wednesday’s draft.

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The developing key forward is projected to be a late pick or could be forced to wait until the rookie draft on Thursday.

If things don’t go McMahon’s way a return to the Northern Knights is on the cards and he has his eyes set on an exercise science degree at university.

“It’s an honour to have so many clubs contact me and show some interest,” he said.

“It’s really exciting but if it doesn’t work out next Wednesday, I’ll definitely go back to the Knights and go through the process again.”