Mackenzie may ruck

WEST Coast defender Eric Mackenzie has been given the chance to resurrect his career on the Gold Coast tomorrow.

Mackenzie, one of the AFL’s best key defenders several seasons ago, has struggled for form since returning from a knee reconstruction last year.

With Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass edging ahead of him, Mackenzie notched just 13 AFL games last year, and only one this season.

But with coach Adam Simpson set to shuffle the deck chairs to cover for absent star forward Josh Kennedy, the 29year-old Mackenzie has been recalled for the clash with the Suns tomorrow.

Simpson floated the prospect of Mackenzie being used up forward and in the ruck, despite booting just seven goals across his 135-game career.

“That’s the flexibility, hopefully, he brings to the side,” Simpson said of the 197cm Mackenzie, who could come up against 209cm Suns ruckman Jarrod Witts.

“He’s pretty raw. He’s no Polly Farmer.”