Essendon rookie Shaun McKernan has moved firmly into the frame for round one selection after a strong performance in the final JLT Community Series match against Geelong.

McKernan had 21 possessions, 19 hit outs and kicked three goals (including one super goal) against the Cats.

His performance was all the more valuable given Matthew Leuenberger went down in the first quarter with a hamstring injury.

“Obviously it’s shattering for ‘Leuey’,” McKernan said.

“It’s good for me to get the opportunity but you never want any of your mates to get injured.”

McKernan is on the rookie list and would need to be promoted to the senior list to be eligible to play against Hawthorn in round one.

But the Dons have spots available with David Myers (finger) and Jordan Ridley (back) on the long-term injury list.

McKernan said performance rather than promotion was his focus throughout the pre-season.

“I know guys like ‘Myersy’ with his finger have been put on [the long term injury list] but I haven’t thought about it too much,” he said.

“I’ve just been focused on – if I get the opportunity to play in the JLT Series – that I try and play well.

“I don’t want to get distracted thinking about round one … it’s nice just to get out here especially with all of the boys returning.”

McKernan had 16 possessions and kicked three goals in the opening JLT Community Series match.

His pre-season form is made all the more impressive by his delayed start to training.

“Early on in November all I was doing was straight line running,” McKernan said.

“Josh Green and I had the same sort of time frame for when we returned to training and we did a lot of conditioning by ourselves.

“We didn’t join in the main training until after Christmas … so it has been a different build-up but I feel pretty good.

“I’m just happy to get through really after having my ankle reconstruction done, I probably didn’t expect to play this much footy early on but it has just been a good opportunity.”

The Bombers will enter the start of the home and away season without a win in the JLT Community Series, but McKernan said the team isn’t fazed.

“We’ve achieved what we wanted to achieve,” McKernan said.

“In the JLT, winning isn’t everything – it’s about preparing for round one.

“We’re not too worried about the scoreboard … we know internally that we’ve achieved a lot … and a lot of the things we’ve practiced over the pre-season we’ve put into play and I hope the supporters have seen that as well.”