COREY McKernan says while his younger brother’s future home remains uncertain it would be nice to see him at a familiar club - such as North Melbourne - where the former Kangaroo played 196 of his 237 career matches.
Shaun McKernan is a member of the Victoria Metropolitan team at this year’s NAB AFL under-18 championships and is considered by many a strong chance to be drafted at the end of the season.
The promising junior is a former basketballer, but has impressed for the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup, and also at representative level.
Corey McKernan, now 34, said players couldn’t control their futures but hinted it would be nice to see his younger brother in familiar colours.
“Oh look, in an ideal world, I mean if you’ve got people that you know there…,” McKernan said at a North Melbourne golf day earlier this week.
“I mean obviously here at the Kangaroos, or there’s a couple of other clubs where you know people, well then that would obviously be the best scenario.
“But you’re in no position to dictate where you’re going to go, so wherever he goes and he gets drafted – if he does – well great.”
McKernan said he had seen his brother play for Victoria Metro earlier this year and had been impressed.
He also helped his younger sibling by going through some of his matches on DVD at North Melbourne’s Arden Street facilities.
However McKernan said from what he had seen of Shaun, who weighs 95kg and turns 18 later this year, he didn’t need too much help.
“I sort of let him go to a degree but if there’s stuff that I can say to him or whatever and help him, then you know you try to help him out,” he said.
“Look, he’s doing a pretty good job on his own at the moment.
“He’s got a really good work ethic and wants to learn.
“I suppose this year, because he did a full pre-season you can see he’s just getting better and better all the time … although the hard work’s only just begun.”
Recently, AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan listed Shaun McKernan as among the standouts of the national championships so far.
Of the younger McKernan, Sheehan wrote for afl.com.au:
“He has been prominent in the ruck with 38 hit outs and 16 marks,” Sheehan wrote.
“Unbelievably like his older brother Corey both in looks and movements at the same age. Has a wonderful leap, good feel for the game, courage and versatility. At 196cm can play forward/back or in the ruck.”
Corey McKernan, while saying the resemblance wasn’t as obvious to him, acknowledged there were similarities.
“I know a lot of people say that… probably in the way that he plays a little bit, in that he plays in the ruck and up forward.”
