Dashing defender Conor McKenna had shown consistent improvement ahead of the 2019 season, but he launched to a level many couldn’t have predicted this year.

The energetic Bomber from County Tyrone has well and truly found a home on the Australian Football field, and his ball skills and ability to read the play prove that.

McKenna was a running machine again in 2019, leading the league for total running bounces (79) by the length of the Flemington straight – 28 bounces clear of fellow Bomber Adam Saad in second place.

He also placed second at the club for average rebound 50s (4.9) and metres gained (449), and fifth for average disposals (20.9) to show his continued development from an exciting Irish import to one of the side’s most important players.

The season was rightfully recognised by the club’s coaching panel throughout the year, seeing McKenna finish fourth in the Crichton Medal.

KEY STATS

Games: 22

Average disposals: 20.9

Average metres gained: 449

Average rebound 50s: 4.9

Average running bounces: 3.6

Average score involvements: 3.4

BEST PERFORMANCE

This was a tricky one to pick, but McKenna’s simply sensational performance against North Melbourne in round 17 was too good to ignore as he played a key role in the important, nail-biting victory.

He was relentless in his partnership with Saad that day as the pair repeatedly cut off the Roos and hit back with venom.

McKenna’s run and aggression were vital for the Bombers and he closed out the game with 25 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 575 metres gained, eight bounces, five rebound 50s, four inside 50s, two clearances and five score involvements including a terrific goal.



McKenna was unstoppable against the Kangaroos in round 17. (Image: AFL Photos) 

MIGHTY MOMENT

In one of the more memorable plays of the season, McKenna’s golden Gaelic touch drew applause from even the most passionate Crows fans when he stunned Adelaide Oval with a ‘solo dummy’ to outsmart Adelaide’s Lachlan Murphy and drive the ball inside 50.

I’ll once again throw to Irish Journalist Conan Doherty, who described the moment best in Sports Joe.

“Coming down the right flank, the half-back saw poor Lachlan Murphy charging in and he set him up devastatingly for a trip to the shops,” Doherty wrote.

“Adelaide's Murphy attempts to block McKenna's wound-up right boot only for the oval ball to disappear, back in the clutches of the cheeky Tyrone man, who rounds him and picks out a pass as Murphy is left with a shopping list and shaken ankle.”

2020 VISION 

There is still scope for McKenna to further improve, which makes him a seriously scary proposition for the opposition.

The brilliantly unpredictable Don is sure to turn heads again with his creative play and elite athleticism as he continues his rapid rise to the top.