Ben McKay

[F111]

Apparently he’s our target at years end.

Seems appropriate.

Thoughts!

[rockhole]

We desperately need height on the back line. (v. Cats for example)

Stewart appears to be permanately injured, and Zac Reid if he ever gets back on the park, will need time to develop.

Mackay would appear to be a good fit for us.

[BenDoolan]

Makes sense, and it’s appropriate

[nudder12]

Tough call.
I'm not convinced he's good enough to be more than a temporary measure.
I see lots of other fans calling for us to go after Ratogolea from Geelong - who I'm also not sure about.
I reckon I saw enough from Zach Reid in his few games to say he's what we need, but....will he get on the field often enough???
He'll have a few weeks left this year once (if) his injuries are cleared, to show what he's got.
Put our patience and trust in him or recruit instead? Hmm...
PS - we've also got Hayes in the background who shows promise.
PPS - no, I haven't forgotten Montgomerie, but he's a fair bit shorter and more of an interceptor than a big key defender that we want right now.

[F111]

...
I reckon I saw enough from Zach Reid in his few games to say he's what we need, but....will he get on the field often enough???
He'll have a few weeks left this year once (if) his injuries are cleared, to show what he's got.
Put our patience and trust in him or recruit instead? Hmm...
PS - we've also got Hayes in the background who shows promise.
PPS - no, I haven't forgotten Montgomerie, but he's a fair bit shorter and more of an interceptor than a big key defender that we want right now.

Yes Reid shows promise as long as he shows physical resilience. He's working on that! I suppose that's the nature of talls sometimes, especially the skinny ones. Their core needs to keep up with the development!
Hayes seems similar.
They're the future really...2-3 years at least before established? BZT took that long. Ridley quicker. They're one size down though.

[s'dreams]

Essendon meet Ben McKay as North’s restricted free agent considers his future
By Peter Ryan
July 26, 2023 — 5.35pm

Essendon have spoken with North Melbourne defender Ben McKay as they target the restricted free agent to bolster their undersized defence.

The Bombers identified the 25-year-old as a player who could take on the big key forwards that have proved too much at times for the undersized but brave Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.

Sources familiar with trade discussions, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the catch-up and said such meetings between players and clubs were increasingly common at this time of the year.
The Bombers are interested the North Melbourne big man.

The Bombers’ interest comes as North Melbourne continue to discuss McKay’s situation with his management, with the parties meeting before the Kangaroos played Hawthorn in round 18.

Despite their depleted back line, the Kangaroos are hopeful of receiving significant compensation in the form of a high draft pick if McKay chooses to leave, although trade sources who spoke on the condition on anonymity said clubs interested in the key defender would not be prepared to break the bank to secure McKay.

McKay’s age would help elevate the potential compensation as he would still be 25 at trade time if he chooses to leave North Melbourne, which is one of the variables (along with the size of the base pay and the length of the contract) the AFL uses in determining compensation.

The younger the player, the higher the compensation.

The fact that McKay is a restricted free agent shows the Kangaroos valued him highly when they re-signed him on a two-year deal midway through 2021, and it allows them to potentially match any offer from another club.

The Kangaroos, who have won just eight of their past 62 games and lost their past 16 matches, are expected to ask the AFL formally for draft assistance at the end of the season as they look to rebuild under Alastair Clarkson.

If they were granted assistance they could gain priority access to top-10 draft pick Ryley Sanders.

Port Adelaide have been monitoring McKay too, but have set their sights on Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea, while Sydney have been targeting West Coast’s contracted premiership player Tom Barrass as they look to strengthen their defence. Hawthorn are also in the market for a key defender to support intercept marking star James Sicily.

[s'dreams]

Multiple reports that McKay has nominated us over Hawthorn

We have offered a $750K per annum, 6 year deal.

[F111]

Confirmed on C7 via #32!

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1037114/in- ... -of-choice

[nudder12]

Confirmed on C7 via #32!

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1037114/in- ... -of-choice

Not happy Jan.
But hope I'm wrong.
Why?
Well, he's just not THAT good....for 6+ years on $750k+
That's for elite players - which he isn't.
Yes, we need a big defender, but paying overs just because he's the only one available seems rash to me.
I haven't checked what key defenders will be available in 12 months (but I will), but we don't need McKay right now, we have time on our side, and getting a really good key defender in 12 months would still be fine.

[BenDoolan]

Multiple reports that McKay has nominated us over Hawthorn

We have offered a $750K per annum, 6 year deal.

Hmm… ok

We give McKay 6 years and didn’t accept Parish’s demands for the same?

This sort of deal can start eroding the loyalty and passion of current players.

Not that I think Parish should have got 6. I’m surprised we gave McKay that.

I suspect we are getting a bed ready in the casualty ward…

[desmondo]

Confirmed on C7 via #32!

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1037114/in- ... -of-choice

Not happy Jan.
But hope I'm wrong.
Why?
Well, he's just not THAT good....for 6+ years on $750k+
That's for elite players - which he isn't.
Yes, we need a big defender, but paying overs just because he's the only one available seems rash to me.
I haven't checked what key defenders will be available in 12 months (but I will), but we don't need McKay right now, we have time on our side, and getting a really good key defender in 12 months would still be fine.

I tend to agree with this, especially the NOT THAT GOOD. It smacks of desperation to get a 'big bodied' player into the backline and unfortunately McKay was the only one around and available. Six years on $750 per, should be a gun. I sincerely hope he proves me wrong but...

It should have been incentive based, start on $600 a season say, play well and 'earn' it you get a more next year and so on.

Mind you I think all contracts should be incentive based, perform, earn it, and you get more next year, DON`T EARN IT, then stay on lower contract and don`t fkng whinge till you actually perform.

[grassy1]

Agree with your sentiment Des,but various obstacles might get in the way of that,like Player/Managers.

[Windy Hille]

Confirmed on C7 via #32!

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1037114/in- ... -of-choice

Not happy Jan.
But hope I'm wrong.
Why?
Well, he's just not THAT good....for 6+ years on $750k+
That's for elite players - which he isn't.
Yes, we need a big defender, but paying overs just because he's the only one available seems rash to me.
I haven't checked what key defenders will be available in 12 months (but I will), but we don't need McKay right now, we have time on our side, and getting a really good key defender in 12 months would still be fine.

I tend to agree with this, especially the NOT THAT GOOD. It smacks of desperation to get a 'big bodied' player into the backline and unfortunately McKay was the only one around and available. Six years on $750 per, should be a gun. I sincerely hope he proves me wrong but...

It should have been incentive based, start on $600 a season say, play well and 'earn' it you get a more next year and so on.

Mind you I think all contracts should be incentive based, perform, earn it, and you get more next year, DON`T EARN IT, then stay on lower contract and don`t fkng whinge till you actually perform.

Base on mets that we need a player of size and power down back. It will allow Riddler to roam more and be that interceptor creator that provides the drive from defence in tandem with Red Dog, Pidge and Co.

In essence we have big towers up front and down back. Good bookends to begin with. Keep them on the park, then the team around them will stand taller.

If Drapes can get right, we will have some good big bodies on the field.

I think this is a great thing.

[s'dreams]

Multiple reports that McKay has nominated us over Hawthorn

We have offered a $750K per annum, 6 year deal.

Hmm… ok

We give McKay 6 years and didn’t accept Parish’s demands for the same?

This sort of deal can start eroding the loyalty and passion of current players.

Not that I think Parish should have got 6. I’m surprised we gave McKay that.

I suspect we are getting a bed ready in the casualty ward…

It is supply and demand Ben

There are lots of good to quite good midfielders on the market but bugger all key defenders.

[s'dreams]

We got McKay

Roos got pick 3 in compensation

Must be nice to have both the AFL CEO and AFL EGM Football both with very close links to Norf...

Pity we pissed of Mohoney because (as some insist) "he wasn't a quality person"... it would be nice to have a friend inside HQ rather than just sucking up to them all the time.