Conor McKenna’s bumpy year set to smooth out

The pandemic has not been kind to Essendon’s Irish import Conor McKenna who has struggled with the virus, motivation and homesickness.

Conor McKenna, centre, at Essendon training at Metricon Stadium

The pandemic has not been kind to Essendon’s Irish import Conor McKenna who has struggled with the virus, motivation and homesickness.

In June the player was lambasted and suspended for breaking isolation protocols after testing positive following his second trip to Ireland this year and a visit to his host family in Melbourne.

In February McKenna broke down at training and was allowed to return home to Ireland because of homesickness.

On return to the game he was mocked by North Melbourne’s Luke McDonald and those close to him said the 24-year-old had struggled with criticism around his confusing positive test. McDonald later apologised.

The player, whose Gaelic football-inspired “solo” move lit up the Bombers’ game against the Crows in round 8, was a late withdrawal from the Essendon side last week, but coach John Worsfold believes he will return for the match against GWS Giants on Friday.

“As we know Conor’s been having some areas of motivation that have challenged him with homesickness and things like that so last week we felt, in consultation with Conor, that he wasn’t at his best to play in the senior side,” Worsfold said.

“It’s certainly not for us to decide if Conor is homesick or battling with motivation, that’s really for Conor to talk to us about so you can imagine that wasn’t us initiating that conversation.

“He’s good (now), he’s really good. He’ll most likely be available for senior selection this week and we’ll consider him in that role.”

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While families have joined sides interstate and some players, including Richmond’s Bachar Houli and Geelong’s Gary Ablett, have been able to return home when needed during the pandemic, it is more difficult for McKenna.

“Everyone’s in the same boat this year because someone whose family is only a one- or two-hour flight away can’t go and visit them at the moment,” Worsfold said

“In a normal season a player can play a game on a Friday night and head home to a different state for 24 hours to see family if required. Conor’s never really had that opportunity so it certainly is tougher than guys who have even moved interstate.”

“Conor has got people here that he’s really close with and can talk to and that shows things are working for us when he’s comfortable to talk to people around the footy club about how he feels rather than just getting into a spiral by forcing himself onto the field when maybe he doesn’t feel like he’s going to cope with that.

“I feel like we’ve got really good mechanisms in place.”