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USA’s Jason Holmes and Ireland’s Conor McKenna – Saints v Bombers

  • Sunday, March 08 2015 @ 12:00 am ACDT
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Australia
In just his second game for St Kilda, USA recruit Jason Holmes sent a very early message to both selectors and the opposition that he was there to play. It took almost 10 minute for the first goal to be scored in the St Kilda versus Essendon clash in Morwell today, but it was Jason Holmes who regained the ball from an Essendon kick-in and kicked truly for the Saints’ first of 15 goals for the day.

Holmes once again competed well, ever so gradually gathering his AFL legs. His stats, whilst low on paper, showed a real competitiveness as he teamed well with fellow Saint ruckman, Billy Longer, to win the battle of the hit-outs. Holmes stats this week saw 3 possessions, 2 marks, 10 hit-outs and a goal before being replaced by fellow ruckman Tom Hickey in the third quarter.

It would be overly flattering to say that Holmes has arrived as a best 22 player for St Kilda, but his two games in the NAB Challenge so far have certainly showcased his improved skills, and his determination and heart are unquestionable.
It wasn’t such a memorable day for another international played, with Essendon’s Irish debutant Conor McKenna having a horror start. According to the http://www.afl.com.au website, “Irish recruit Conor McKenna will no doubt get his head more around the rules as his career unfolds. In the second quarter the Saints kicked a goal after McKenna gave away a free kick for running too far, and then two 50-metre penalties for not quite understanding the intricate elements of the rules.”

Nevertheless, McKenna would have taken great heart and excitement from his debut and his skills managed to net him six possessions, three marks and a tackle. Certainly the Bombers would have seen plenty of upside, not the least of which was his absolute desire to get into the game and have a go.

It will be interesting to see how many more games Holmes and McKenna manage throughout the rest of the NAB Challenge as they try to build their credentials for a shot at selection in the premiership season in a few weeks.




Left: Conor McKenna in action against St Kilda (Picture: Foxsports)