Sam McKenzie - 150 Blacks games

The University Blacks are thrilled to congratulate Sam McKenzie on reaching his 150 game milestone this weekend vs Fitzroy!

150 games at the Uni Blacks is rare air, usually a milestone reached after a decade of service. Sam (or as he is most affectionately called, “Snags”) has reached this accomplishment in no less than his 8^th full season at the Club. A remarkable pace, underscored by the stat that up until Round 9 this year, Sam had only missed 2 games since his Under 19s debut (not including the pandemic cancellations).

Memory recalls one of these missed games was for a sibling’s wedding (ok, fair enough excuse, but we are told that Sam did try and negotiate with family to move the wedding to summer…) and the other, well, we aren’t quite sure why that match was missed. Must have been important though!

Playing 148 games out of a possible 150 is essentially unheard of at Blacks, let alone in the AFL.

Therefore, it is all the more ironic that the most games Snags has missed in his career, fell between Round 9 and his return last week in Round 16. A nasty hand injury that resulted in surgery and a shiny titanium plate inserted into said hand finally felled our ever reliable and dependable Snags, meaning the wait for matches 149 and his sesquicentennial had to be put on pause.

Despite this remarkable consistency though, I don’t think you would hear any teammates or those who know Snags be surprised at this, owing to his dedication to the Club and to his friends, to always put himself forward at training and games, to give himself the best opportunity to play great Blacks football.

Sam playing for Lake Wendouree in Ballarat as a junior. 

Sam’s journey to the Blacks begins in 2015 as another fantastic success story of our Under 19s. Hailing from Camperdown, boarding school in Ballarat, and onto Queen’s College for Uni. Already accustomed to being away from home, Sam quickly settled into the familiar routine of uni, college and Blacks all within walking distance. Coached by Brad Copeland in 2015 with 2014 A Grade Premiership winning coach Cam Roberts as an Assistant, Sam was plonked into the forward line – maybe his self-anointed nickname demanded positioning at centre-half forward? 2015 was a lean year for the Unders but the camaraderie and friendships forged whilst playing was enough to entice Snags to return for more the following year. In particular, friendships with fellow Queen’s students Tom Cousins and Nick Hanlon proved foundational for the years to come.

From 2017 to 2019, Snags was a permanent fixture in the 2s. Coached by Linc Merlo, Sam began to grow his on field stocks putting in valuable performances at either end of the ground, wherever the team needed. Whether it was kicking a bag against a defenceless Old Haileybury or shoring up the back stocks vs some of the challenging sides like Beauy, De La, St. Bernards. Some very stern advice from then Seniors’ coach Cam Roberts to Snags about hitting the gym and filling out his tall frame provided further impetus for him to improve as a player.

Unfolding simultaneously to his upward trajectory on the field, Sam made a name for himself off the field as a long run steward and host of the famous Blackspot on Thursday nights. Long running fans of the Blackspot would put this time of custody up against the other all-time hosts – such as Kingy and Tunners, Chucko, Pitty and Adam Patto. The consistency of week-in week-out performances producing quality content, stitching up their mates, only served to accelerate Snags standing amongst the team. Sharp minded and very timely with his witty banter, Sam during this period cemented his position as a stalwart of the Club.

Despite the immense amount of fun and enjoyment Sam was having during this period, it is now clear that Sam’s desire to make it at Senior footy was his goal. Making his debut as an injury replacement in 2019 (sorry for the honesty Snags), continued training and development saw occasional appearances at the early starts of Tin Room. These early starts for Sam provided a challenge, attendance fluctuated but ultimately the desire to play Senior footy was a great motivator and he flourished in training and games. During the pandemic, Sam’s work ethic and drive to come out the other side of the cancelled seasons as a better footballer has led him to become, according to long-time teammate Campbell Moorfield, the “preeminent lockdown defender in the VAFA”. High praise from one of our own, whose game is a direct benefit of Sam’s lockdown rolls each week. Winning a James Green Medal we are sure was a personal highlight vs Blues last season in Round 18.

He has certainly filled out that gangly frame compared to 2015. 

Snags’ time, effort and investment in the Club is already more than anyone could expect nor ask for. Nevertheless, he began putting his hand up to volunteer as one of several playing members on our Committee. Taking on a logistical role to help organise the Bar for post-match drinks, as well as other social events, Sam’s critical behind the scenes work has helped take the pressure of other teammates and again speaks to the level of care and commitment that he has for the Blacks.

Whilst many would be concerned about an unhealthy balancing act of footy and important personal life matters, for Sam, this balancing act for his life outside the Blacks has been juggled amazingly. Sam has completed an Undergrad at Uni Melb then moved through the ranks at Melbourne Law School to obtain his JD and is now a few years settled into his stride as a solicitor. Adding in travel with friends to Europe and the US, Sam is a very well-rounded gentlemen of the Blacks who is shining example to our younger players for how to manage life’s different challenges.

Sam with teammates Jordan Tunbridge and Harry King. 

It would also be remiss of us to not shoutout Sam’s parents, Andrew and Judie, for their support and similar levels of commitment to the Blacks as Sam does. Travelling each week - doesn’t matter if home or away - from Camperdown to support Sam and the 1s (or when Sam was playing 2s, travelling to watch the 2s and then sticking around and watch the 1s!) they have surely locked up the spot of number 1 ticketholders now that Chris and Bernadette Mahon no longer travel from Swan Hill to watch Bede! Thank you to Andrew, Judie, and older brother James for their dedication and care for the Blacks, it does not go unnoticed!

We are thrilled for Sam in reaching this moment in his career and hope that the memories from this weekend will stick with him long after his playing days have ended, whenever that might be. Always quick to deflect to the team and hide from the limelight, we encourage Sam to enjoy this occasion and attention – everyone at the Blacks is proud to call Snags a friend and a true Blacker.

We were even blessed to get a few words out of the great man in response to our now traditional milestone Q and A’s; but in an unprecedented move, Snags’ reply email had some of the questions cut out – not that we are surprised. Go well Snags!

How did you end up at the Club? 

After attending the solitary Under 19s Uni Blues training session, I received a phone call from Angus Drysdale, who in no uncertain terms suggested I make better life decisions. The next day Jordan Quaile slid a Uni Blacks' pamphlet under my door at college. So, the effort put in there was more than enough to get me down to Blacks' 19s training.  

Any standout/strange memories from Under 19s? 

Tom Cousins infamously rolled his ankle on a pinecone down at Beaumaris one day and whilst I don't remember the incident itself, Cousins' numerous retellings of the event has etched this into being a core Under 19s memory.

Favourite player to watch when growing up? 

James Hird without a doubt or Buddy Franklin, who I've based my game on.

Who has had the most influence on your career? 

I have to give a shout-out to Mum and Dad who are extremely supportive and have made a strong claim as the joint number 1 ticketholders at the Blacks for the past few years. And from a pure football sense, probably Campbell Moorfield and Josh Steadman.

Thriftiest/biggest tightarse at the Club? 

Campbell Moorfield and his stinginess with sharing kick-in duties.

Favourite teammate? 

All members of the backline have a special place in my heart. My favourite to watch at the moment would be TSC; his combination of highlight reel plays and agitating the scariest looking bloke in the opposition team.

If you could teleport anywhere in the world right now and holiday for a week, where would it be? 

Wouldn't mind heading over to Europe and linking up with Tom Cousins for a few nights. I've lost track of exactly where he is but given the healthy amount of Instagram content from Cuz, I'm sure I could work this out quite easily.

What is your ideal way to spend a Sunday off following a game, before heading back to the grind of a work week during the season? 

Normally take it pretty easy and just spend time relaxing outside (if possible) with friends or family.