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“Trifecta”: Drafted by Collingwood, starred for Carlton, offered lifeline by Essendon
Louis Van Dam • May 30th, 2025 12:24 pm
Essendon have given a lifeline to a young key forward, selecting Liam McMahon in this week's mid-season draft.
The 23-year-old, 198cm athletic forward was taken with the final pick of the draft after strong form for Carlton's VFL side over the past few seasons.
McMahon was originally drafted by Collingwood with Pick 31 in the 2020 national draft but never made his AFL debut and was delisted two years later.
He says his Magpies experience helped him find a pathway back to the elite level.
“I appreciate my time (at Collingwood) a lot," McMahon said on SEN's Whateley.
"I was such a raw young kid that got an opportunity at AFL level, although I didn’t play.
“It was such a cool experience walking in everyday and to rub shoulders with the guys of Scott Pendlebury, Brodie Grundy, Darcy Moore and those names, so it was awesome. I can’t complain and had a wonderful time.”
After being picked up by Carlton’s VFL program in 2023, the forward has averaged 9.7 disposals, 4.3 marks, kicking 24 goals in seven matches this year, along with 45 goals last year while serving as captain.
This led to McMahon finishing second in the Jim 'Frosty' Miller Medal (leading VFL goal kicker) and winning Carlton VFL’s best and fairest last year, continually putting himself in AFL contention but not quite breaking in.
He trained with the Blues as a SSP prospect but was ultimately overlooked.
“Unfortunately the last 12 months of my career has been a lot of let-downs," McMahon added.
"Last year I was in contention with Carlton in the mid-season, then SSP let-downs and all of that type of stuff.
“I had the expectation not to get picked so there wasn’t too much of a let-down, but yeah a major relief once I heard my name.
“It’s been a tough thing to manage, being so close to being back on a list for a couple years now, and close to getting AFL gigs at Collingwood, but I understand now that I’m way more mature and way more ready for the moment.”
He has proven to also be a versatile prospect, proving his ability to shift into defence when needed.
“I’m able to go behind the footy as well," McMahon added.
"I had 18 months at Collingwood down in defence, so learning that and having a crack behind the footy gives you a different perspective of the game I guess."
McMahon has now “completed the trifecta”, playing for three big Melbourne clubs while travelling down a long road of adversity throughout his five-year VFL career.
It's a rare feat to wear the black and white stripes as well as the navy blue, and to now be donning the sash is quite a remarkable achievement.
“Everyone has said that, from management to family and friends,” he said of the big trio.
“I’ve completed the trifecta. It will be pretty cool now. I’ve seen some unique sides of the AFL world.
“Externally it looks like great years, but there’s definitely been some internal challenges dealing with motivation and setbacks.
“But football form-wise, it’s been really good and I’m really proud of the progress I’ve made as a player and as a person as well.”
He admits it will be an interesting time when the Dons play the Blues in Round 13 of the AFL (and Round 11 of the VFL) on Sunday, June 8.
With Essendon now suffering major injuries with their key position stocks in Sam Draper, Nick Bryan, Tom Edwards, Jordan Ridley, Kyle Langford, Zach Reid, Harrison Jones and now Ben McKay, opportunities have never been so readily available.
“From the conversations that we’ve (Essendon) had, it looks like that there might be some opportunity, but I’m not going to put a guarantee on that because I know I’ve really got to work hard and really learn the system quite quickly,” he continued.
“I think you can just look at my form and overall body type from when I first got drafted to now, I know that was five years ago, but I just have grown so much into my body.”
“I understand the game a lot more and just an overall better footballer, so I feel like I’m much more ready this time around.”
McMahon will debut for the Bombers in their VFL side on Friday against Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena from 12:05pm.
