Australian Football

Don McKenzie was a forceful but fair ruckman who, after a slow start to his league career, became a significant contributor to Essendon's success during the 1960s. He made his VFL debut in 1960, only three years after he had begun playing the game, and this late induction may have been one reason that he had difficulty finding his feet early. By 1962, however, he was more or less a permanent member of the side that won the flag, and three years later, when another premiership was won, he was the club's leading ruckman, as well as one of the best players afield in the 35-point grand final defeat of St Kilda.

McKenzie's fine form continued in 1966, when he won the Dons' best and fairest player award, and in 1967 when he represented the VFL against Tasmania. He was first ruckman in the 1968 Grand Final against Carlton, but could not prevent the Bombers going down by three points. In 1969 he was appointed Essendon's captain, and during the course of the season he played his 94th consecutive senior game since 1965. He was deposed as captain in 1970 when he joined three team mates in demanding better pay and conditions. The last of Don McKenzie's 266 senior VFL appearances came in 1974 when he was aged 35. Four years later he played a season in the Bombers' reserves, and he later served on the club committee.

Author - John Devaney