TRENT MCKENZIE will forever be grateful to Ken Hinkley for giving him a second chance, admitting he doesn’t know where he would be or what he would be doing if he had not been given a shot at Port Adelaide.
The long-kicking left footer landed at Port Adelaide as a delisted free agent at the end of 2017, after being cut by Gold Coast, where he was a member of the expansion club’s inaugural list.
After a couple of frustrating years with injury where he managed just two AFL games, McKenzie reinvented himself as a traditional key defender and became a mainstay in Port’s backline, playing 17 games in 2020.
“I’m not too sure where I’d be (if it wasn’t for the Port Adelaide opportunity),” McKenzie said on Adelaide radio.
“I’d probably be back in Melbourne with my family but I was pretty lucky (Ken) gave me a call and I didn’t have to worry about it.
“We’ve always had a good relationship, ever since we started at the Gold Coast.
“He knows what I can do and let’s me go out and concentrate on my game.
“He shows that belief in me, which is a good help.”
So good was McKenzie’s form in 2020 that he won the Coaches’ Award as most improved at the John Cahill Medal night and was then rewarded with a two-year contract extension.
The 28-year-old was part of the AFL’s stingiest backline in 2020 and he hopes the group will be even stronger with the addition of former Sydney big man Aliir Aliir.
“It’s good to be back playing some consistent footy,” McKenzie remarked when asked about his own form.
“I feel like I’m moving pretty well at the moment so having those years off (with injury) in the middle of my career could help me towards the back end of my career and I’ll try to use that as an advantage.
“We’ve got a strong defensive line-up and a new recruit in Aliir coming in to make it even stronger.
“There’s going to be pressure for spots but it’s hopefully going to help us going forward.
“Hopefully we can win a few more games than last year and go all the way.”
Now settled in Adelaide, McKenzie admitted the passion and sheer noise of the Port Adelaide supporters caught him off guard, describing their support as “amazing”.
“Even just running out on Adelaide Oval especially in that Final, just the noise they make and how passionate they are,” he said.
“It’s obviously a little bit different to what I was used to on the Gold Coast and it took a little bit to get used to.
“But it’s amazing to play in front of them. They care so much and we try to make them proud.”
Away from footy, McKenzie has started a clothing business with his partner called West Essential.
The unisex apparel is ethically made using renewable energy with a zero net carbon footprint.
“We did have a pop-up shop for a couple of months in Rundle Mall, which went well and now it’s back to online,” he explained.
“It’s been good to get away from footy.”
