A competitive small forward, Ned McHenry hailed from the Geelong Falcons, having played junior footy at Barwon Heads. At the 2017 Draft Combine, he won the Yo-Yo test while a fifth place finish in the 2km time trial turned heads over his endurance. Adelaide drafted McHenry with pick No. 16 after he ranked No. 1 for tackles at the Under-18 Championships with Vic Country. In his first pre-season at Adelaide, he finished equal-first in the Club’s 2km time trial alongside Wayne Milera.