By Luke D’Anello
The 28-year-old comes to the Bulldogs’ kennel with an impressive hockey resume, boasting three selections in the Victoria Vikings squad.
McKinnon also spent eight years previously playing for Canberra in the Australian Hockey League (AHL).
This year the Vikings will play matches in June and August and McKinnon, an attacking midfielder, is looking forward to another opportunity to impress on the national scene.
The experienced campaigner is a valuable acquisition for Footscray, which competes in State League Two and has been desperate to crack in to the top flight competition.
“An opportunity arose with the club, so I spoke to them over the summer. It was a good opportunity that they came forward with and I decided to take it up,” McKinnon said.
“They’ve all been welcoming and accommodating and they’re just really enthusiastic to be successful as a club, which is always good.”
While he is predominately a midfielder, McKinnon said he was likely to play a defensive role for the Vikings.
But he is far from content and always looking to improve.
“The more and more I progress … the better I get at setting goals. This year I’ve got a few set out for myself in the bigger picture,” McKinnon said.
“But I also like doing it session to session, so I can work on specific things each session – and the same goes for Footscray. I’ll give myself two or three little goals, so I’ve got a purpose each time I step out on the field.
“I guess I’m not the standard player. I like to be a little more creative.”
McKinnon said there was enviable depth in the Vikings squad, meaning any player could be in the starting line-up.
But he said the rapid-fire rotations of the modern game meant all players would be on the field for significant periods.
Historically, Victoria is a top four side and will be again aiming high.
“I think this year we can push into the gold medal match and the focus is always to win it.”
Expectations are also high at Footscray.
“The goal is to finish on top of the table at the end of the rounds so we can get promoted for next year. That’s the first step and the first opportunity to get promoted and that’s the goal.
“Then we’ll try and win the State League Two competition after that. But we want to get promoted at that first opportunity.”
Footscray take on Monash Uni away this Saturday.
