Brad's dream in on the boot

Andrew Capel, The Advertiser Nov 10, 2011

THERE must be something about the name - McKenzie seems synonymous with footy's young superboots.

The AFL's latest superboot is Gold Coast teenager Trent McKenzie, whose booming left-foot kick has quickly made him a cult figure.

He is about to get some stiff competition - Sturt's Brad McKenzie is cut from the same cloth.

Touted as a first- or second-round 2011 draft pick, Brad is arguably the best kick in this year's draft pool.
And like his namesake, he is a left-footer.

"It's ironic that we share the same surname," Brad, 18, said.

"My mates often joke to me about it and mention that Trent's a better kick than me, letting me know that I've still got some work to do.

"It's a bit weird but it's fun too. Trent's a great kick - I think he's got me covered in that department - and a good player, so hopefully I'll get to play against him at some stage."

Brad's missile-type kick is his calling card. It always has been.

Scouts have been monitoring him since he won consecutive SANFL primary-school long-kicking competitions at the ages of 11 and 12.

Brad first showed off his kicking prowess at Magill Primary School.

He then represented the Sturt zone in kick-offs, blowing away his opposition. Now he finds himself about to enter the biggest stage of all - the AFL.

"It's just something that comes naturally to me," Brad said of his golden boot.

"I've actually spent a lot more time trying to kick with my opposite foot than my left one. For some reason I've just always been able to kick the ball a long way."

McKenzie - who was born in the small Eyre Peninsula town of Minnipa - regularly boots the ball 60 metres.

But as much as he respects Trent's kicking skills, he models his game on another first-year player - Essendon's AFL Rising Star winner Dyson Heppell.

"I just see some similarities with the way we play our football," said Brad, who played the final three games of last season in Sturt's league side. "We're similar height, we're both left-footers, play similar roles and run with the same loping style."

Like Heppell, Brad isn't quick. But his ability to read the play, make the right decision and deliver the ball with precision are strengths.

He is a playmaker who is just as effective running off half-back as he is through the midfield.

"He just brings others into the game with his composure and creativity," noted AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan.
And then, of course, there is that kick.