Wins at Essendon, Rye put McKenna firmly in Stawell spotlight

Date: 12th March 2026

2022 finalist Jesse McKenna is emerging as one of the leading contenders for the 2026 Powercor Stawell Gift after an impressive start to the season.

The Victorian has already claimed victories at both the Essendon Gift and Rye Gift this season, notable wins that came from the back of the field and signalled his strong form heading into Australia’s most famous footrace.

For Jesse, the Rye victory carried special significance.

“I’ve been attending Rye for years, so to win it with so many familiar faces there was really special,” he said.

“Essendon was more of a surprise. I treated it like a low-key season opener, but it really shifted my mindset and gave me confidence that the work we’ve been doing is paying off.”

A major factor behind his strong season has been a move to the Sandringham Athletics Club training squad under coach Tom Morehouse.

“It’s been a privilege to train alongside some of the big names in Australian sprinting, including Dhruv Rodrigues-Chico (2019 Stawell Gift winner), Luke Stevens, and Alex Colgan. Having such a competitive, high-quality training environment so close to home has made a huge difference to my motivation, conditioning, and overall approach to racing,” said Jesse.

McKenna and his coach prioritised a strong conditioning block early in the season before gradually introducing top-speed and acceleration work after the New Year, a structured approach he believes has already delivered results.

The 2022 Powercor Stawell Gift finalist is no stranger to the famous Central Park track, having finished third that year.

While that performance remains a career highlight, he admits the moment may have overwhelmed him slightly at the time.

“I remember feeling a bit starstruck by the occasion,” Jesse said.

“The environment, the atmosphere, the pressure, it’s more familiar now; Instead of just being excited to be there, I can focus on executing and actually winning.”

McKenna expects fierce competition in this year’s race, identifying Tom Perry and Brendan Matthews as two athletes in strong form.

Jeese thinks the presence of global sprint star Christian Coleman will also add something special to the event.

“Yes, I’m definitely excited. Having raced Eddie Nketia in the 2022 final, I know firsthand how special it is to line up against someone of that calibre. Having a next-level star running adds a whole new layer of excitement, not just for the crowd, but for the athletes who have to try and hold him off. 

“It’s not every day we get the privilege of hosting a multiple world champion and world-record holder at the Stawell Gift. His presence will shine a fresh spotlight on it internationally, which can only be a positive for the sport and for the meet itself.

For McKenna, a self-confessed Stawell Gift history enthusiast, the chance to win the famous race remains the ultimate dream.

“To add my name to the list of Stawell Gift winners would be incredible,” he said. “It would easily be the greatest achievement of my career.”

McKenna is the son of former West Coast AFL premiership player Guy McKenna.

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