Delisted by Adelaide after 34 games in five seasons and overlooked in the national draft, McKernan nervously awaited the outcome of Wednesday's NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
Fortunately the 23-year-old key forward/ruckman didn't have to wait long, with the Bombers calling out his name with their only live pick – selection No.12.
While it was a massive relief, McKernan is under no illusions he must grab the big opportunity – with the 196cm big man set to press his claims behind No.1 ruckman Tom Bellchambers and recruit Jonathan Giles next season.
That was the message reinforced by his brother, a two-time premiership player who notched up 237 games with the Roos and Carlton.
"I had a brief chat with (Corey) before and he was pretty happy for me and just rapt I got another chance," McKernan said.
"But he just said to me now you've got make sure if this is your second chance you don't want to get in this position again.
"Just make sure you leave nothing unturned and give it everything you've got."
McKernan was squeezed out of the Crows in part by the emergence of mobile forward Josh Jenkins – himself a former rookie at the Bombers.
The new Bomber could also see the irony in the fact he's landed at the club his older brother so often battled in finals while playing for North Melbourne towards the end of the 90s.
"It's probably a bit ironic that the team they went up against most was Essendon, so you can imagine that Corey doesn't have much love for Essendon but he's still happy that I'm here," McKernan said.
McKernan, who trained with St Kilda after he was delisted, said he spoke to the Bombers last month but never had a "concrete" indication he would wind up at Tullamarine.
Early conversations with the Bombers suggest he will split his time between the ruck and up forward, where he kicked 21 goals for the Crows.
McKernan has no doubt he is good enough to forge a longer AFL career, but he knows he must first overcome his inconsistency.
"I know my best is more than capable to play at the level, it's probably just those patches of bad moments I need to get out of my game," he said.
"I think my intensity – I don't question myself in that regard. I think my aggression is to a standard where it has to be and that's what I pride myself on.
"I still think my best footy's ahead of me and I'm still ready to go."
