Former St Kilda wingman Daniel McKenie reportedly remains on the radar of AFL clubs, with the 27-tear-old said to have "significant interest" ahead of the Mid-Season Draft.
It's been a whirlwind past 12 months for McKenzie, who did not feature for the Saints last season due to multiple soft tissue setbacks.
The midfielder flew to Germany following the 2023 season to gain specialist treatment after a year riddled by a calf injury, with the Saints holding out hope to have McKenzie on their list for this season.
Uncontracted at the time of his bid to get his body right, McKenzie would end up being delisted by the Saints despite the club's initial plans to have the Blackburn product remain at Moorabbin, with St Kilda's draft plans leaving them with no list spot to retain McKenzie.
The wingman ended up training with Fremantle over the pre-season as a potential Supplemental Selection Period addition, however a minor hamstring strain derailed his chances of joining his second club.
McKenzie was set to join the Gold Coast Suns' training program just days after his setback, which ultimately ended his SSP hopes.
The Victorian eventually signed with VFL outfit Port Melbourne, where he has since played three games - averaging 16 disposals and five marks per game.
The 73-gamer for St Kilda is now said to be regaining interest ahead of this month's Mid-Season Draft, withย AFL.com.au's Riley Beveridge revealing the Saints could be among the clubs to acquire McKenzie.
"I am told there is significant interest in him ahead of the Mid-Season Draft," Beveridge toldย Gettable.ย
"I'm also led to believe that one of the clubs to have inquired about Dan McKenzie is St Kilda, the club where he played 73 games before being delisted last year.
"One to just watch there."
According to Beveridge, McKenzie is joined by Geelong VFL ruckman Ajang Kuol Mun and Essendon VFL forward Oskar Smartt in gaining interest ahead of the upcoming talent intake for AFL clubs.
Kuol Mun has played three games for the Cats' reserves this year after impressing with Geelong and District Football League outfit Anakie in 2023.
The athletic big man has stepped into the first-string ruck role on multiple occasions this year in the absence of AFL-listed Cat Toby Conway, who has sporadically featured at both levels across the opening few months of the season.
The Mid-Season Draft has often been an avenue for clubs to bolster their ruck stocks with emerging key position talent, with Kuol Mun proving to have plenty of upside.
Smartt has been able to show his value in front of AFL scouts this year after representing the Young Guns side against Vic Country and Vic Metro last month.
That squad is often littered with leading Victorian Mid-Season Draft prospects, with Smartt taking his chance with the dual opportunities to kick give goals across the two appearances.
Smartt has also been a lively presence for Essendon's VFL program, averaging 1.5 goals per game from his four appearances. Smartt kicked four goals in a year-best performance against Footscray in April.
The 2024 AFL Mid-Season Draft is set to take place on Wednesday, May 29.
