great stuff, a contract well and truly earned. Onya Smack!
1 Like
The others players call him 'horse ā
Hmmm, I wonder why?
Great news. At 28 he is just coming into his prime. Not afraid of the hard work required. He knows what levels he needs to get to, and will train the house down. Ripping move to sign him up now. All tall forward stocks are going through the roof. A fitting reward for his efforts this season. Woohoo.
5 Likes
HE
LIVES
2 Likes
Great news, definitely one of our better goal kickers
Horse-heroin-smack
Not John Longmireās massive ā ā ā ā - horse
3 Likes
Always had all the tools, may have found the temperament. Would play him as a stay at home fwd and let Joey roam around where he wantsā¦ up on a wing and pumping it long into 50 all dayā¦ Raz and Tippa winning foot races into Wooshas Wardā¦
God that sounded lameā¦ Friday beers must be kicking in.
4 Likes
Was Essendon best player in the two pre season games and didnāt get a look in to Neeld was shown the door. Well deserved by Smack .
1 Like
1 Like
Iām not super confident given his inconsistency issues of the past, but I really really really hope he can return from his hamstring injury and recapture this years form because it could be HUGE for the team. A fit and firing McKernan brings so much value and balance to the team:
- A strong marking strong bodied tall forward to partner JD and bring the smalls into the game with his high ball contestsā¦something Stewart and Stringer canāt really do.
- Allows Hooker to dominate down back - weāve already seen how this lifts the entire backline.
- Offers the team a genuine 2nd ruck to give Bellchambers a chop out at times, or provide injury cover to avoid Stringer/Stewart/JD going in there. Despite him being a pretty average tap ruckman, McKernan can actually be quite dynamic at the clearances and around the ground.
- Fairly reliable set shot
- Last but not least - heās got some serious aggression and kunt about him! Stands up for teammates, hits blokes and can really lift the team with his passion. A real barometer.
I repeat. I really really want him recapture his form next year. When heās firing, heās such a great player to watch!
8 Likes
He had an above average last half of the year granted, with his 3 good games making up for his mostly average games otherwise as key forward. His career so far has been sporadic with a few good games mixed in with many mediocre and disappointing. I would have given him one year, but happy for him to have two years as the reward outweighs the low risk, as at worst heās a capable backup forward/ruck key position depth as opposed to an untried draftee in a time were we want to win a premiership. I donāt think heāll make it but happy to have him in depth for a few years.
1 Like
Coach John Worsfold said McKernanās ability to play both as a strong marking forward and spend time in the ruck made him a valuable asset.
āHis attitude and work ethic are outstanding and make him a well-respected member of this team,ā Worsfold said.
āWe are extremely happy to see Shaun fulfilling his potential and we believe he will be an important part of our team in the future.ā
1 Like
In an era when AFL is increasingly cut throat, heās an amazing survivor.
Hopefully he can be part of some success over the next 2 years.
2 Likes
Just tell him if he gets the ball anywhere within 60m of goal, just go for goal. Donāt ever think about passing it off because he always ā ā ā ā ā it up
2 Likes
This probably says he has had success, only relatively few people stay on an afl list as he has.
Good luck for 2019, hope he is part of team success
Iām very happy heās signed. Heās capable of freakish things and he has real passion and guts. The team is better when heās in it.
6 Likes
I bet he spends 80% of the next 2 years in the VFL.
1 Like
Surprised, shocked, donāt know. At least you know where you are.
He will be fine by the preseason. It was a bad hammy, but not Lloyd off the bone bad.
1 Like
Love Brayshaws mckernaaan call vs north
5 Likes