Draft Spotlight #3 | Cam Mackenzie
Written by Nathan Sepe
As part of the 2022 National Draft Coverage, Blue Abroad will place the spotlight on some potential draftees for the Carlton Football Club.
The third player in the spotlight is Cam Mackenzie, a fast-paced midfielder who can break the game open through the corridor and along the wings.
Carlton currently holds picks 10, 28, 62, and 64 in the upcoming AFL Draft, meaning the Blues would be likely to take Mackenzie at pick 10 if the opportunity arises.
Projected to land within picks 6 to 10, Mackenzie has showcased his ability to play anywhere within the midfield boundaries, offering great balance to any side he’s a part of.
Mackenzie has played his Under-18 football at the Sandringham Dragons, playing nine games across the NAB League Season, part of the 2022 Premiership winning side.
Mackenzie was one of the best on ground in the NAB League Grand Final, tallying 26 disposals and kicking two goals in the win.
Mackenzie was part of St Kilda’s Next-Generation Academy but would be extremely unlikely to head to the Saints unless he dropped under pick 40.
Alongside Dragons football, Mackenzie spent the majority of the year playing APS Football for Brighton Grammar and represented Vic Metro in the National Championships, part of the premiership side.
Averaging 24.1 disposals and 4.8 inside 50s across the NAB League season (including finals), Mackenzie showcased the strengths of his agility and power within the centre stoppages, a catalyst to the Dragons transitional work.
Mackenzie has played four games for Vic Metro, nearly a standout in every game, taking on a much more defensive-minded midfield position.
His work within the centre bounces is extremely unpredictable and allows much more flexibility for the ruckman if a tap wasn’t as efficient as hoped.
With a smart tactical mind, Mackenzie has a habit of creating chaos for loose balls the opposition may get to, making him a tricky opponent to outwork with little space.
Measuring 180cm, a similar comparison in relation to shape and size would be George Hewett.
Both are able to burst out of the stoppage and create strong linkage through the corridor, which is vital for Carlton’s centre clearance game that can often be a hit-or-miss tactic.
Mackenzie’s second efforts are a key part of his game, placing relentless efforts on the opposition to halt quick clearances in the stoppages.
Mackenzie has averaged a relatively equal kick-to-handball ratio, however, is more efficient with his handballing in contested scenarios, with his kicking often the detriment of contested scenarios at times.
His quick hands and the ability to evade tackles with cleanliness is a key factor in Mackenzie’s top 10 ranking so far.
Whilst Mackenzie has played most of his football as an inside midfielder, he has the versatility to play as a wingman, providing the run and carry along the wing to smooth transition out of a defensive 50 exit.
With the struggle of finding consistent wingmen in the side or implementing makeshift wingmen, Mackenzie is a prospect that may be able to fill the gap that the Blues need.
Lochie O’Brien currently holds one wing spot on the field, and it seems unlikely that will change in the future.
The other is up in the air.
Will Setterfield hasn’t naturally seemed like the fit and there is no word on David Cunningham’s return at the time of writing.
Mackenzie is unlikely to drop as low as pick 10, especially with the Hawks seemingly losing Tom Mitchell.
However, if he is to drop as low as 10, it is a pick the Blues must take, and inevitably a bargain in the draft.
Chance of landing at the Blues: 20%
Stay tuned for more draft prospects.
