AFL 2024: Former St Kilda winger Dan McKenzie to train with Gold Coast after Fremantle stint

One of the ex-AFL players fighting for a list spot has travelled across the country and back again in a bid to extend his career at the top level for at least another year.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 30: Daniel McKenzie of the Saints celebrates kicking a goal during the round seven AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Port Adelaide Power at Cazaly's Stadium on April 30, 2022 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Former St Kilda winger Dan McKenzie will cross the country this weekend as he starts a second audition for an AFL list spot.

The 73-game Saint was due to play in Fremantle’s intra-club clash on Friday before heading to the Gold Coast on Sunday for a second stint as a train-on player.

The Dockers have had four players training on over summer – McKenzie, Patrick Voss, Max Beattie and Sam van Rooyen – as they currently have two open list spots.

Dan McKenzie on the move for the Saints. Picture: Michael Klein

Voss has emerged as a frontrunner for one of the slots, with his VFL club Port Melbourne not expecting him back on the east coast this year.

McKenzie, who was delisted by St Kilda in November, drew strong interest from both Fremantle and Gold Coast and after spending just over two weeks in Perth, will spend a similar time in Queensland to impress new Suns coach Damien Hardwick.

Players working with two clubs over summer is not uncommon, with Oleg Markov famously finishing his stint with Collingwood and moving to Carlton last pre-season, only for the Magpies to sign him to their list.

He would go on to play in last year’s grand final win.

McKenzie, 27, didn’t play a senior game last year due to persistent calf issues and flew to Germany in the off-season for treatment.

The Saints delisted him and left the door open to training at Moorabbin over summer but he has worked away elsewhere.

Mykelti Lefau at Richmond training. Picture: Jason Edwards

The Suns had former Roo Aidan Bonar and St Kilda dasher Jack Peris auditioning for their sole open list spot before Christmas but neither of the two returned to the club after the new year break.

No players replaced the pair.

The pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) closes on February 19.

Clubs have been happy to take their time before the deadline, with Collingwood still yet to fill any of its three open spots.

Richmond has WAFL forward Mitch Schofield and VFL utility Mykelti Lefau still training at Punt Road.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Former St Kilda winger Dan McKenzie to train with Gold Coast after Fremantle stint