MELBOURNE has elevated rookie Corey Maynard to the senior list, replacing the injured Pat McKenna, who is out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

The 25-year-old was recruited to the club in August last season, via the three-year non-registered rule, which allows a player to join a club straight away, provided he hasn’t played in a registered football competition for the previous three years.

McKenna, who came from GWS Giants at the end of last season, has missed most of the season with a hamstring injury. He has been sidelined since round three this year.

Maynard, a college basketballer in the United States of America, also played in Finland and later returned to Australia, where he played for Cairns Taipans and Townsville Crocodiles in the NBL. He also represented Australia in the emerging Boomers team.  

This year, Maynard has been a fine player with Casey Demons, having played every game, except two when he was missed due to concussion.

Casey coach Justin Plapp said Maynard was “the most influential player on the ground” in its win over Essendon at Casey Fields last Saturday night.

The midfielder had 30 disposals, including 20 contested possessions, seven clearances and five tackles in Casey’s win.

Maynard is the son of former Melbourne player Peter, who played eight games for the Demons from 1980-81, and then 216 games in the SANFL with Glenelg and Woodville West Torrens.

Corey is also the older brother of Collingwood player Brayden, who has played 46 matches for the Magpies since 2015.

Corey and Brayden’s grandfather is Graham Campbell, who played 151 games for Fitzroy and won the club’s 1957 best and fairest. Campbell also played in Fitzroy’s night premiership in 1959 and coached the Fitzroy night flag in 1978.