Trent McKenzie will play on in 2024 after signing a one-year contract extension with Port Adelaide.
"I have had my challenges, there have been a few times where I've thought I'm done, time to finish up and think about life after footy, but I suppose I've just stuck at it and kept going," McKenzie said.
"I've got lucky as well along the way. My relationship with Kenny helped a lot. Even the staff and the list managers – I wasn't playing a lot – so for them to stick by me when I wasn't playing, just to show that faith, it kind of gave me the urge to keep going and keep having a crack. Things started turning and it has worked out."
Trent McKenzie is the Mark of the Year winner for round three of 2022.
Monday, 6 September 2021
Trent McKenzie says an accidental switch from wing to a key defensive post has saved his career.
"In the SANFL, I was playing as a mid-defender and all of a sudden I have started to play the deepest. Obviously there were some big full-forwards I was coming up against and it just evolved from there. I ended up playing on the biggest boys," he said.
After managing just two games in his last two seasons, Trent McKenzie is enjoying a reinvention as a crucial cog in Port Adelaide's defensive six in 2020.
"I have been out for a few years and felt like I was long way away but I'm just enjoying being out there playing footy and lucky enough to get a few wins," he said.
McKenzie credits Power coach Ken Hinkley for his return to form.
"I owe pretty much everything to Ken. He could've quite easily have dropped me off the list, but he showed faith in me and I know I haven't really done anything yet so I'm just continuing to work hard," he said.
After 12 months in the wilderness, Gold Coast defender Trent McKenzie is back, and will play his 100th game against the Swans in Sydney this week.
The man known as 'The Cannon' for his rocket-launching left boot, has been stuck on 99 games since the Suns played Hawthorn in Launceston in June last year.
McKenzie has suffered a broken nose, torn his groin off the bone and sustained ankle, quad, calf and hamstring injuries since the beginning of 2016.
"When you have one injury, you can work on it and find out where it's coming from, but with a lot of different things, it makes it tough," he said.
"It's been frustrating, but the rehab guys have been great, we've changed my program and I'm starting to feel good again."
Trent McKenzie will miss the rest of the season after suffering a groin injury in the final quarter of a NEAFL match.
"He was best on ground up until the time he hurt himself," Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.
"He won’t play over the last month but I think the positive in all that is that it’s not a significant injury and he’ll be right to resume first day back at pre-season."
Trent McKenzie should not miss more than a fortnight after compound fractures to his nose, suffered in the first quarter against the Blues when colliding with teammate Steven May and Carlton forward Levi Casboult.
"(McKenzie) will get corrective surgery (on Tuesday) and then hopefully only miss the next one, maybe two weeks maximum," Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft Ashcroft said.
Gold Coast has dropped Harley Bennell, Trent McKenzie and Brandon Matera for Saturday's match against Adelaide for failing to meet the club's discipline standards.
It is believed players were asked to steer clear of alcohol to concentrate on recovery in the wake of Saturday night's drought-breaking win over the Brisbane Lions.
The trio breached the directive on Sunday.
They were challenged by the leadership group on Monday before the leaders, Suns management and coaching staff agreed on the punishment.
Bennell, McKenzie and Matera will all play NEAFL this weekend before being considered for senior selection again.
Trent McKenzie is dropped from the Gold Coast side with Suns coach Rodney Eade suggesting the left-footed defender has become complacent.
"Trent has had a more down pre-season than up, his form wasn't great at the weekend, so it was keep the younger guys in and make a statement with Trent," Eade said.
"He's certainly been told what he needs to work on and needs to do to get back in.
"Maybe a few of them who have been around a while, probably cruise a bit."
Trent McKenzie is set to miss the next three to four weeks of pre-season training after scans revealed he suffered a high-grade right ankle sprain at training.
"Thankfully for Trent, scans have revealed no structural damage after he sprained his ankle at training on Monday," a Gold Coast spokesman said.
"Trent is expected to spend 3-4 weeks on a modified training program to rehabilitate his ankle."
The Suns will take a cautious approach with Seb Tape and Trent McKenzie, with both players returning from knee injuries via the reserves.
"It's been definitely challenging, but I think it's good to experience those things early and build a bit of character and find out who around you is there to support you," Tape said.
"I'm really positive about how I can attack that sort of an injury and feel really comfortable now coming back with the footy and looking forward to playing some games."
"It was pretty tough. I tried to look forward and finish the year off strong, which I think I went all right. Hopefully I can start earlier this and have a good year," McKenzie said.
"It's been a tough pre-season for myself but I know it's a big season ahead. Hopefully I can get on the track pretty soon and play some footy."
Gold Coast's Trent McKenzie says a club-imposed ban drove him to one of his best games of the season against Carlton.
"It was pretty bad. I tried to pick it up on the weekend and give something back to the team," McKenzie said about his suspension.
"It was pretty hard, but I've moved on."
Thursday, 16 August 2012
Gold Coast has suspended big-kicking Trent McKenzie for one-match after he failed to attend a recovery session.
Friday, 4 November 2011
Long Gold Coast kick Trent McKenzie has extended his deal with the Suns until the end of 2013.
"I really enjoyed my year and look forward to even better times over the next couple of seasons," McKenzie said.
"We are really close down at the club. I suppose the club is in a unique situation, there is a strong bond between us and we want to achieve something special."
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Gold Coast youngster Trent McKenzie has developed a reputation for having one of the best long kicks in the game, regularly seen in the highlights slotting goals from outside 50.
"I work on it a fair bit at training with a few of the boys," he said.
"We have a few contests with kicking them from outside 50, so that gives me a lot of practice."
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Trent McKenzie makes his AFL debut for Gold Coast at the Gabba with 16 disposals (10 kicks and 6 handballs), 4 marks, 6 tackles and 1 hitouts in a 119-point loss to Carlton.