He hit up Robbie Nahas and other forwards continuously throughout the morning, rewarding them for their hard work in getting into space.
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“The drill was playing out two versus three going into the forward line,” McKenzie explained.
“So it wasn’t specifically just kicking it to Robbie but we managed to link up a few times pretty well.”
McKenzie played down what appeared to be an intuitive connection.
“If you’re working as a forward group and you’re looking for the first available option, then it tends to be similar players you’re looking for on each occasion.
“So with Robbie, I knew he was playing as a hit-up player so I’ll be reading the cues of the group, how they’re working and then play off that to get him on the lead.”
The defensive group was playing with an extra man, simulating regular match conditions.
“Kicking it in long wouldn’t have been to our advantage.
“So I was looking for the hit-up to make that spare not useful and it ended up being Robbie more often than not.”
McKenzie quick to point out the work the forward group was doing off the ball allowed Nahas and others to find space.
And with foot skills as precise as McKenzie’s, they don’t need too much room.
