Eric Mackenzie (footballer)

Eric Mackenzie
Personal information
Full name Eric William Ross Mackenzie
Nickname(s) Eazy
Date of birth (1988-05-19) 19 May 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Perth
Original team(s) Christ Church Grammar School
Draft No. 29, 2006 national draft
Height 196 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Weight 100 kg (220 lb)
Position(s) Defender
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2007–2018 West Coast 147 (7)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2018.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Eric William Ross Mackenzie (born 19 May 1988) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL). Originally from Claremont in the West Australian Football League (WAFL), Mackenzie was drafted by West Coast at the 2006 National Draft, and made his debut during the 2007 season.

Career

West Coast Eagles

Mackenzie was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2006 AFL Draft.[1]

A key position defender, he had his best season to date in 2014. He replaced the retiring Darren Glass as the club's leading backman and was named acting co-captain of the club for the remainder of the season, along with four other players.[2] He ended the year by winning the Eagles' best and fairest award, the John Worsfold Medal, beating Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis by 11 votes.[3]

He missed the entire 2015 AFL season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in West Coast's first pre-season game of the year against Carlton.[4]

In the final minutes of the 2017 Elimination Final played against Port Adelaide Power, with scores level, Mackenzie kept Port Adelaide from scoring a behind, throwing the full force of his body into the point post in the process.[5] This helped force the Elimination Final into extra time, where the Eagles emerged victorious.

Mackenzie retired at the end of the 2018 season, after consistent troubles with injury.[6]

References

  1. ^ "The 2006 Draft". TheDrafter.net. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008.
  2. ^ Alex Malcolm (13 June 2014). Up to five could rotate West Coast captaincy – Australian Football League. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  3. ^ Hagdorn, Kim (4 October 2014). "West Coast Eagles defender Eric Mackenzie awarded John Worsfold Medal for best player". PerthNow. News Corp Australia.
  4. ^ "West Coast Eagle defender Eric Mackenzie set to miss season after tearing ACL". 28 February 2015.
  5. ^ Robinson, Chris (9 September 2017). "Eric Mackenzie comes up with heroic save to force extra time in Eagles final".
  6. ^ King, Travis (12 September 2018). "Veteran Eagles defender hangs up the boots". afl.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 12 September 2018.