FORMER Woodford all-rounder Jake McKinnon will embark on a new chapter in his cricket career with as little expectation as possible.
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McKinnon, 19, has joined Essendon for the summer and will make his Victorian Premier Cricket debut in a one-day match against Dandenong on Saturday.
The Brauer College graduate, who will likely start in the Bombers’ seconds, said he was excited about the chance to test himself in Melbourne.
He has not set any personal run or wicket targets, eager to simply discover whether his talents stack up in the top Victorian competition.
“I don’t really have any goals as yet,” he told The Standard yesterday.
“It’s more to show what I can do and prove to myself I’m good enough to play at this level and try and get a couple of ones games if I can.”
Essendon first learnt of Geelong-based McKinnon thanks to former Nestles skipper Cam Williams, who played with the Bombers last season.
Coach Brendan Joyce then watched the left-hander at Melbourne Country Week in February and kept in contact during the winter.
McKinnon committed after securing work in the city. He made an unbeaten half-century in his first hit-out, a practice match against Ringwood at Albury.
“It was the first time some of the blokes had seen me bat. It was good to get some runs, good to have a hit-out and meet some of the blokes up there,” he said.
McKinnon said he was sad to leave Woodford, where he honed his craft under John Houston. He said the opportunity to test himself was too good to refuse.
“It was sad to leave but I thought I might as well give it a crack while I’m at this age. I know down the track I’d regret it if I didn’t,” he said.
“I’ve been talking to (Western Waves region manager) Stephen Field, I’ve been thinking about doing it for the last couple of years.”
Joyce said the Bombers had been “super impressed” with McKinnon since he arrived at Windy Hill.
But he acknowledged the teenager was a long-term prospect who had much untapped potential.
“I’d like to think he’d play some first XI cricket at some stage during the year. He’ll start in the seconds, bat at four and bowl first or second change,” he said.
“It’s a big change from country cricket. We don’t want to throw him to the wolves straight away.
“We’re conscious he gets some confidence, gets comfortable. I’m sure he’ll get opportunities during the season.
“He’s only a boy and from a batting point of view, they say 27 to 30 are your best years and he’s eight years away from that.”