It was announced today that Daniel McKenzie will not be getting a senior playing contract for 2024; however, he may still be redrafted in the upcoming months.
Due to recurring calf injuries, McKenzie was unable to play at the senior level in 2023. He recently traveled to Germany to obtain specialized care and guidance in order to enable a return to football.
Executive General Manager of Football David Misson said, “This has obviously been a very complex time for Dan, but his professionalism and patience throughout this time speaks volumes.”
“Dan has worked tirelessly to take care of his body all year long and during the off-season, most recently traveling to Munich to receive professional help.”
“Dan and I have been in regular communication about his playing future with the team, and we hope he will be on our roster going forward.
“Dan’s ability to make an impact on the field has been limited by injury, but his positive outlook and unwavering work ethic have remained a strong part of his character. This preseason, we hope to see both perform well once more.
McKenzie joined St Kilda in 2015 and has played in 73 games since then.
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Following a busy trade and free agency window, St Kilda is one of the few AFL teams with multiple first-round picks in the 2023 National Draft.
Following Ross Lyon’s return to Moorabbin, the Saints maneuvered through their first player movement period; November’s talent intake will be his second during his new role as senior coach.
The Saints have doubled their draft hand due to free agency compensation for the first night of the count; night two is probably going to be a little quieter due to their reduced pool of selections beyond Pick 21.
We’ve previewed the Saints’ list needs and possible targets for this year’s draft, as they aim to add some of the best emerging talent in the nation to their roster in order to make the playoffs the following year.
Selective Hand Selections: 13, 21, 40, 92
Through a successful trade window, the Saints were able to acquire Pick 21 as compensation for the loss of free agent Jade Gresham to Essendon, while also luring Liam Henry and Paddy Dow to Moorabbin without list manager Stephen Silvagni giving up his first-round selection.
As a result, St Kilda is now one of five teams with multiple first-round draft picks. They may even have plans to trade up the order by using their opening pick for 2024 or package their two selections.
By the end of the first night of the draft, both Picks 13 and 21 are probably going to be moved up a few spots, reading as 16 and 26, while Pick 40 is probably going to move up in the queue because six Gold Coast selections are in front of it and will be eliminated during the Academy bidding process.
The Saints have the option to reenter the draft with their fifth-round pick, Pick 92, if necessary. However, the team is expected to consider open list spots prior to the Rookie Draft or, more likely, the Supplemental Selection Period.
Enumerate Needs
Key Position Depth: The Saints’ long-term planning will be reinforced with a little more height or key position flexibility, whether it’s in defense or within Ross Lyon’s offensive schemes. Max King will require more assistance from people besides Tim Membrey, as Jack Hayes continues to experience setbacks while Isaac Keeler, Matt Allison, and Max.
Health are all unverified. The Saints would prefer another tall defender at the back as insurance because Josh Battle and Dougal Howard are both unsigned through next season, and James Van Es is another young player that needs more time.
Midfield Grunt: Lyon made it abundantly evident following his team’s elimination from the finals that additional inside midfield support is required going forward. The Saints have a wealth of outside runners in Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and recently signed Liam Henry, but they will be eager to find long-term replacements for players like Brad Crouch and Seb Ross, who will both be older than thirty next season.
In addition to Mattaes Phillpou, Mitch Owens, and lockdown midfielder Marcus Windhager, the Saints should think about adding a big-bodied midfield player who can run some plays and win his own ball.
The Best One On Hand: The Saints will have one of the final selections at Pick 13, which on draft night may translate to Pick 16 or 17. This is before the caliber of talent may slightly decline. Stephen Silvagni has the option to select the best player still on the roster while he is on the clock; however, St Kilda’s team does not necessarily have a wealth of elite players. There’s a real possibility that a fascinating prospect will fall to the Saints’ first pick and make Possible Objectives
Gippsland forward Archer Reid, the younger brother of Bomber Zach Reid, is a promising 203-cm target who can also pinch-hit in the ruck to support tall first-string Rowan Marshall. Reid is one of the best key forwards available in this year’s draft class. Reid is a player that St. Kilda should target with their second pick in the draft; local defender Ollie Murphy is another important position player Silvagni should take into consideration with one of his two first-round selections.
Prospective Goals.
The younger brother of Bomber Zach Reid, Archer Reid, is a promising 203-cm target for Gippsland who can also pinch-hit in the ruck to assist tall first-string Rowan Marshall. Among the top forwards available in this year’s draft class is Reid. St Kilda should use their second pick in the draft to target Reid, and Silvagni should consider Ollie Murphy, a local defender, with one of his two first-round selections. Murphy is a valuable position player.Koltyn Tholstrup: The Saints have a real chance to select Tholstrup as the top prospect available at pick 13.
The talented teenager from Subiaco, who can play through midfield and add spark to the forward line, would fill the void left by Jade Gresham’s departure. Another player who, with luck, might find his way into the Saints’ opening pick is James Leake of Tasmania.
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