MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: Conor McKenna of the Bombers in action during the Essendon Bombers training session at The Hangar on March 19, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
There is growing uncertainty about the futures of the speedy defender Conor McKenna and forward Jayden Laverde at Essendon beyond the 2020 AFL season, reports The Herald Sun.
With the Bombers looking to lock away emerging midfield star Andrew McGrath, hard-running defender Adam Saad and discussing the immediate future of Joe Daniher, their may not be room to keep on board both McKenna and Laverde as well.
It’s been a tough year for McKenna -he battled homesickness in Ireland at the start of the season, turned in a false positive test for COVID-19 and underwent surgery to repair a broken finger in July.
McKenna was overlooked for the Essendon side that worked its way from 36 points down at half time to beat Hawthorn on Thursday night.
It was reported by The Herald Sun that Brisbane had a crack at securing the services for McKenna last year, who has played all but one game for the Bombers in 2019.
The Lions could be in the hunt again, should McKenna continue to pursue a career in the AFL beyond this year.
Meanwhile, Laverde has struggled to find a consistent spot in Essendon’s best 22 since his debut year in 2015, playing 45 games across six seasons.
A forward with tremendous upside, Laverde has had a tough injury run throughout his career with an ankle syndesmosis injury against Adelaide in Round 9 the latest setback.
The Herald Sun also reported that St. Kilda was keen on Laverde two years ago, but with St. Kilda loading up on players over the past two seasons, interest on him to come to Moorabbin appears to have waned.
Should Daniher opt to move away from Windy Hill at the end this season, Gold Coast’s Peter Wright would be available as a key forward prospect that can give Sam Draper a rest in the ruck as well.
Wright, having played at Calder in the under-18s, has been overthrown as the number one key forward by Ben King at the Gold Coast this year, having played no games this year after playing 17 in the 2019 season.