Gisborne’s Pat McKenna heads to Greater Western Sydney with pick 23 just weeks after captaining Australia’s under-19 cricket team
PATRICK McKenna has officially traded in his cricket bat for a football after being sensationally selected by Greater Western Sydney with pick no. 23 in Thursday’s National Draft.
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PATRICK McKenna has officially traded in his cricket bat for a football after being sensationally selected by Greater Western Sydney with pick no. 23 in Thursday’s National Draft.
The gifted Gisborne forward will be remembered as one of 2014’s draft bolters, joining the Giants just seven weeks after he captained Australia’s under-19 cricket team in Sri Lanka.
McKenna said being drafted to Spotless Stadium was vindication for his decision to give up his spikes for football boots.
“It was always going to be a bit of a risk either way,” McKenna said.
“Obviously I haven’t made it yet, but this had ticked the first box to be on an AFL list.
“Now it’s just up to me to do the work and hopefully make a career out of it.
“I’m stoked that it’s worked out so far and I’m just really excited.”
He admitted being chosen early in the second round of the draft had been a surprise.
“I was nervous at pick 23 because when I spoke to the Giants they hinted that they were interested,” he said.
“But I was just expecting their last pick.
“To be pick 23, it’s crazy, I don’t know what to say.”
The new Giant spent draft night with family and friends, although his selection came as a slight anticlimax after social media beat their television coverage to the news.
“My family was in one room, I was with all my mates in another room and we were a bit delayed on Foxtel,” he said.
“I got a text and my phone started going off.
“I realised then and I told them I’d gone pick 23 and then we saw it on the TV a few minutes later.
“It was a bit of an anticlimax, but still very exciting.”
McKenna booted 45 goals in 18 Bendigo Football League games this year.
He had been pre-listed to join Calder Cannons and play TAC Cup football next year had he not been drafted.
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