Road to the Draft: Ellie McKenzie

Remember the name Ellie McKenzie. 

Set to be one of the first names called out at the upcoming AFLW Draft, McKenzie is an elite midfielder using her class and pace to be damaging around the ground and in front of goal. 

A dominant force as a junior, McKenzie started her career at the Fitzroy Junior Football Club, forming a formidable midfield alongside current AFLW players Maddy Guerin and Nell Morris-Dalton.

McKenzie was a consistent standout for the Northern Knights in the NAB League and Vic Metro at the National Championships. 

In her time in the NAB League, she captained the Knights, finished second in the Best & Fairest voting, won the Rising Star award and was selected in the NAB League Team of the Year. 

McKenzie gets the handball away for Vic Metro

She went onto star at the National Championships earning All Australian selection in the midfield. 

McKenzie demonstrated her resilience throughout an interrupted 2020, battling injury on top of COVID-19 restrictions. In the face of adversity, she remained diligent in her preparation, training alongside her brother and former North Melbourne player, Tom.

McKenzie is primed to hit the ground running and explode onto the AFLW scene in the coming season.