Corey McKernan Biography

Corey McKernan says his opinion on a lost Brownlow Medal has finally changed after Nat Fyfe escaped suspension this week.

McKernan was ineligible for the 1996 award after he was suspended for kneeing and falling into the back of Geelong ruckman John Barnes.

Until the Fyfe adjudication, McKernan had been comfortable with his fate that beset him 19 years ago.

"I think for a hell of a long time, a week was a week, we all knew that," he said.

"I was the biggest spokesperson of going 'you know what, (the) Brownlow, that's their rules'.

"It does really seem to me now the rules have changed, it's different.

"We all agree the incident with Nat Fyfe, like I keep saying it's great he gets off but in terms of where you stop with those trivial incidents, in my eyes it seems you've changed the nature of how you interpret the award."

Shaun McKernan says his older brother, Corey McKernan, has reminded him to make the most of his 2nd chance at Essendon.

"I had a brief chat with (Corey) before and he was pretty happy for me and just rapt I got another chance," McKernan said.

"But he just said to me now you've got make sure if this is your second chance you don't want to get in this position again.

"Just make sure you leave nothing unturned and give it everything you've got."

The new Bomber could also see the irony in the fact he's landed at the club his older brother so often battled in finals while playing for North Melbourne towards the end of the 90s.

"It's probably a bit ironic that the team they went up against most was Essendon, so you can imagine that Corey doesn't have much love for Essendon but he's still happy that I'm here," McKernan said.

Corey McKernan knows how Toby Greene feels about being unable to win the NAB AFL Rising Star award due to a suspension for rough conduct.

"A Rising Star award is always going to look good on the CV but being the player that Toby is I think he's going to go on to bigger and better things and this isn't even going to be on the radar. If he keeps this form up he could win MVPs, the whole box and dice," McKernan said.

"It's only the last few weeks where everyone's commented on what a good year he's had. He's shown a maturity beyond his years and he is really going to be a special player for years to come."

Young Crow forward Shaun McKernan seeked his brother Corey McKernan's advice ahead of his debut match against Richmond.

"He just said, 'Don't put any expectations on yourself'," McKernan said.

"Don't do anything you don't normally do and just take it as it comes. The main thing is just having a fierce attack on the ball and giving those second and third efforts."

Corey McKernan was impressed by his younger brother's efforts.

"It was great, the biggest buzz for me is you're always unsure when someone plays their first game but he fitted right in and if he keeps working hard he's hopefully got a long career ahead of him," Corey McKernan said.

"The thing that impressed me with him is how quick he actually moves.

"He's got some real speed off the mark, if he keeps working how I know he has. That's what people are going to judge him by, not me or anyone else."