Early in the second quarter during Essendon's game against Richmond at the weekend, Conor McKenna briefly forgot which game he was playing.
A star minor for Tyrone, McKenna moved to Essendon in 2014. He has since established himself as an important player for the Bombers.
The 21-year-old returned to his GAA roots on Saturday, soloing the ball in midfield. It was an unexpected move, one which surprised both the commentators and a Richmond defender.
Little Gaelic kick from Connor McKenna creates a cheeky shot on goal! #stutterkick #BombersTigers
— Cam Green (@cam_green_0) February 24, 2018
There have since been questions raised regarding the legality of the move. Unlike in Gaelic football, where a solo or bounce allows a player to continue his run beyond four steps, AFL rules state that the ball must be bounced every 15m.
According to the AFL's website, some had wondered if the solo would count as a bounce.
The player must bounce or touch the football on the ground at least once every 15 metres, irrespective of whether such player is running in a straight line or otherwise.
For the purposes of this law, a player shall be deemed to be in possession of the football during the period when the player handballs the football to themselves and regains possession without the football touching the ground.
The AFL confirmed on Monday that this also applies when a player kicks the ball to himself. The solo should not have allowed the Essendon defender continue his run beyond 15m.
McKenna's solo would not have counted as a mark as the ball has to be kicked at least 15m to be a markable distance.
Conor McKenna's kick-to-kick has raised eyebrows over the legitimacy of the tactic: https://t.co/75d351MKlj pic.twitter.com/xNVK9tQYVP
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) February 26, 2018
