The unlikely path of Cam Mackenzie to the AFL and because it reminds Hawthorn Hawks fans her coach Sam Mitchell

Mackenzie laughs at the memories of his father who carefully sail their car on the hill at home in Spéracèdes so that the six -year -old family could go to visit or ski.

“We had a Renault traffic that dad had to try to get on the hill. (IT) It was always fun enough to see him try to squeeze him up there,” said Mackenzie.

“(It was) very different from life here, so it was nice to experience it.”

After the family returned to Melbourne’s Bayside, Mackenzie’s life focused on education and football – At school, her local club Beaumaris, then the Sandringham Dragons. His background meant that he was suitable to become part of the next generation Academy of St Kilda at the age of 15 under the protection of the former star of midfield Nick from the saint.

While the rules that determine access to the NGA graduates flooded and Mackenzie continued to develop, for the saints it would have become evident that they would have to compete with any other club to the draft to retain the talented young man.

In his year of draft, he played in the winning team of the title of Vic Metro, as well as in prizes with Sandringham and Brighton Grammar, and has become a certain choice among the first.

At the same time, the hawthorn was in the midst of generational change. They exchanged expert midfielders Jaeger O’Meara (Fremantle) and Tom Mitchell (Collingwood). Liam Shiels and Ben Mcevoy retired (although Shields later joined North Melbourne) and Jack Gunston joined Brisbane. At the draft 2022, the Hawks welcomed Mackenzie, Josh Weddle (Pick 18), Henry Hustwaite (37), Jack O’Sullivan (46) and Bailey McDonald (51).

The club started again with the young midfielders fighting for the points while learning to play together under Mitchell. They knew that their athletic profile meant that their game plan leaned in a certain way, but the improvement did not happen since tomorrow. Errors have been made. Some losses were margins bigger than anyone who appreciated. Mackenzie chipped away on the wing, his class of class and obvious composure without being breathtaking, initially.

“We certainly took some time to understand how it would appear (our game) and understand where I adapted. And all the others were trying to understand where they adapted,” Mackenzie said.

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“Towards the back -ing of the year, we solved us and the trust and belief continued to grow.”

A significant bad knee tendon injury meant that Mackenzie was not in the team last year when the Hawks beat western bulldogs in the elimination final; Their first final victory at MCG from the 2015 Premiership.

“The last workout (session) before the game, I was doing a central cart drill and I heard something grasped. I knew it was not a serious thing and the scan showed that it was not serious, but it meant that I had to lose,” Mackenzie said.

It was his first remarkable wound.

“For the first few days, I didn’t really know what to think, and then … it was fantastic that we won, but it was difficult to look at the side line knowing that I would be out there,” Mackenzie said.

“It certainly motivated me a pile of this pre-installation (e) added fuel to the fire that the next time I want to be out there. I certainly want to be there and be part of the team.”

A solid fitness base built in the pre-installation gave Mackenzie trust to exhaust the games while helping the Hawks to the victories in their first three games. He also made an impression for fans, his racing style, mouse hair and the ability to take a step without many movements to make comparisons with his coach.

But Mackenzie gives nothing to take for granted, his gradual development that replies his father’s cautious up for the spéracèdes hill while trying to squeeze in the Hawks midfield.

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“It was difficult to break there. Last year, playing a little more on the wing was nice to find that second position in which I can hope to get some time (like) in half, but then I also have that secondary position,” Mackenzie said.

It is more Cannes than Hollywood Hawks, a player appreciated by fans, opponents and football lovers who look closely at the game.

His emergency as a key midfielder to the Hawks was gradual, his level approach consistent with Hawthorn’s personalities in that part of the ground. An intelligent operator also adapts to a topic a semester while studying for a Bachelor of Commerce at the Monash University; Keeping French, however, is proving to be more difficult.

“Everyone says that I just have to try to continue, but now it is unlikely that I finished the school … (I am) outside the school for three years and I have not spoken it at all. I hope that a little attacks me,” said Mackenzie.

The nickname, however, was blocked. And, after three wins to start the season – the first time the Hawks have started so well since 2014 – so are the words of Hawthorn’s musical theme.

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