Second WA spot for rising teen star
Kambalda teenager McKenzie Dowrick has cemented her place as one of WA’s most promising female AFL players after being selected in the State under-16 girls’ team.
McKenzie will pull on the black and gold State guernsey for the second straight year when she heads to Geelong for the national championships from July 17 to 26.
She took up the sport as an eight-year-old after watching her brother Brendan play for her home town team, and has since emerged as a key contributor for the Mines Rovers under-16s since transferring.
She first trialled for the team in March, and was able beat more than 100 hopefuls to take her position in the final squad of 24.
Despite having to travel more than a 1000km round trip to attend training, the rising star still attends on average a session every fortnight.
As one of only nine returning players from last year’s team, WA coach Oliver Beath said the benefit could be felt when the Year 10 John Paul College student was able to attend.
“She’s a very classy footballer, so the girls benefit from having her around, but at State level there are a lot of classy footballers,” he said.
“However, the fact she’s travelled once before, she has that experience and leadership the other girls can draw on.
“A lot of things we’re trying to do with the new group, it really helps to have those girls who have played before.
“She’s knows the game plan, so for her to be able to help deliver the message is really beneficial.”
While McKenzie’s experience would be crucial at the championships, Beath said he could not wait to unleash her booming kick on the championships.
“She’ll be playing in the midfield and across half-back, so not only does she add that leadership, the main thing is her class out on the field,” he said.
“Her delivery of the ball by foot, and by hand, is immaculate for a kid of her age, and she has really good depth on her kick, which is a really big thing in teenage female footy. If you can break lines and kick the ball 35m-40m, then you’re ahead of the rest already, which she can not only do, but do with great accuracy.”
WA will face Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT at the during the titles.
