Gisborne prepared for life without Patrick McKenna as Australia’s under-19 cricket captain nominates for AFL draft

GISBORNE president Colin Rodgers has conceded the Bendigo Football League club will need to find a replacement for talented forward Patrick McKenna next year.

Tim Walsh of Gisborne runs the ball out of defence during the Bendigo Football League match between Gisborne and Maryborough in Gisborne on Saturday 27th April, 2013.

GISBORNE president Colin Rodgers has conceded the Bendigo Football League is resigned to life without talented forward Patrick McKenna.

The 18-year-old has nominated for Thursday’s AFL National Draft after leading the Dogs’ goalkicking with 45 goals from 18 senior games in 2014.

Should he not be selected by an AFL club, McKenna is all but certain to spend 2015 playing in the TAC Cup with Calder Cannons.

The gifted sportsman recently decided to chase a career in football after developing a reputation as one of the state’s brightest cricket prospects.

Rodgers admitted he was surprised when McKenna decided to pursue football after captaining Australia’s Under-19 cricket team in Sri Lanka last month.

“To be honest it did surprise me,” Rodgers said.

“Pat loves both sports and it’s normally the one he’s playing at the moment that he’ll say he loves most.

“In cricket season he loves his cricket and in footy season it’s footy, so he was really undecided.”

While there are limited examples of recent draftees from local football, reports have suggested several AFL clubs have shown interest in McKenna.

“There’s been a few talking to him, so he’s got a good opportunity,” Rodgers said.

“Whether it actually eventuates is yet to be known because they keep it to themselves.”

He said McKenna had the natural talent to make a successful step into the AFL’s ranks.

“He’s still young naturally in his body, but the things he’s got going for him are he’s a fantastic kick, reads the play really well (and) he’s got great hands,” he said.

“He’s got all the skills to go further, that’s for sure.”

The highlight of McKenna’s 2014 season was a 16-goal haul in his only under-18 match against Kyneton, while he slotted nine majors in a senior fixture against Kangaroo Flat.

“Whatever happens he’ll probably play either with the Cannons or with an AFL club,” Rodgers said.

Meanwhile, Gisborne has been in discussions with several prospective recruits for 2015, but is yet to confirm any signings.

“Obviously key position players are always the hardest sought after,” Rodgers said.

“That’s an area that we’d be looking at, particularly a key back.”

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