Past #26: Ben McKinley - acquired for pick 86 in trade with WC - delisted at end of 2012 season

[Teffy]

Mark, I see that you're continuing this theme (last time it was "he's played us on a break"). Frankly, I don't see how you can draw this conclusion from the evidence in front of us.

Yes, he's doing a law degree, so yes, he might be (legal) career-oriented in terms of his long-term future. But I don't think he is putting the study above football at present. When he was drafted by us - and very excited - I recall him saying that the one downside was that he would have to deal with the problems associated with transferring the course. But (and I am surmising here), he felt that this was just a small cost of the benefit of coming here. I'm not sure what he ended up arranging, but whatever it was, we haven't heard anything more about it. I assume he's now studying at one of the Melbourne uni's.

It's not as if doing this detracts from full-time football. Peter Bell was doing his law degree at Melbourne the whole time he was with us. It's not overly taxing - about 8-12 contact hours a week. And yes, lots of reading, but some people do this anyway.

All of the feedback indicates he busted his guts in Utah pre-season. Obviously did enough to be selected in the first game, and to his eternal regret, I'm sure, he stunk it up in that game. Really, really unfortunate timing to put in a shocker and it's certainly cost him. He's since busted his guts in the VFL but has been starved of opportunity to get into the seniors (Ben Warren, Ben Ross, Super Gav and Cruize all in the same boat).

I reckon all this says that football is his main focus and I wish him good luck. Sure, he's got an uphill battle to break into the best 22, but it's not due to lack of focus on getting there, IMO.

I rate Mark as a poster, but I have to agree with you here. I have never seen McKinley anything other than totally commited on the park or the training track.

 

[LeFtBehinD]

I think we're being a bit harsh on McKinley. He had a shocker of a first game, but has worked his ass off in the VFL and has been doing well. I don't want him displacing anyone in our current side, but we shouldn't begrudge him and deny him the opportunity to prove himself again after he has done what you ask of any dropped player - dominate the VFL.

Its nothing personal. I just think McKinely and to an extent Warren, play the same position / role as Edwards. Having more than one in the side means you are sacrificing forward pressure. You'd have to take Thomas, Wright, Harvey or an Adams type out of the forward line.

Considering now that Edwards has his clunking gloves on and is BY FAR the most accurate shot for goal, we dont need him.

 

[Event Horizon]

Its nothing personal. I just think McKinely and to an extent Warren, play the same position / role as Edwards. Having more than one in the side means you are sacrificing forward pressure. You'd have to take Thomas, Wright, Harvey or an Adams type out of the forward line.

Considering now that Edwards has his clunking gloves on and is BY FAR the most accurate shot for goal, we dont need him.

Not quite. Edwards is a great contested mark, whereas the other two are different players. McKinley knows where the goals are, and on his day can snag a few with limited opportunities, whereas Warren is a work horse who is able to cover more ground away from goals. Azza is definitely ahead of the two of them on form, but as they play a different type of game, at least one of them can fit in the same side as Azza IMO.

Especially if one of Petrie/Hansen/Pedo isn't playing in the forward line.

 

[Teffy]

Its nothing personal. I just think McKinely and to an extent Warren, play the same position / role as Edwards. Having more than one in the side means you are sacrificing forward pressure. You'd have to take Thomas, Wright, Harvey or an Adams type out of the forward line.

Considering now that Edwards has his clunking gloves on and is BY FAR the most accurate shot for goal, we dont need him.

McKinley is a finisher, Warren is a work horse.

If Warren can become a work horse and a consistent finisher, then I have no doubt that he will be in the seniors. Likewise for McKinley and the work rate.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Mark, I see that you're continuing this theme (last time it was "he's played us on a break"). Frankly, I don't see how you can draw this conclusion from the evidence in front of us.

Yes, he's doing a law degree, so yes, he might be (legal) career-oriented in terms of his long-term future. But I don't think he is putting the study above football at present. When he was drafted by us - and very excited - I recall him saying that the one downside was that he would have to deal with the problems associated with transferring the course. But (and I am surmising here), he felt that this was just a small cost of the benefit of coming here. I'm not sure what he ended up arranging, but whatever it was, we haven't heard anything more about it. I assume he's now studying at one of the Melbourne uni's.

It's not as if doing this detracts from full-time football. Peter Bell was doing his law degree at Melbourne the whole time he was with us. It's not overly taxing - about 8-12 contact hours a week. And yes, lots of reading, but some people do this anyway.

All of the feedback indicates he busted his guts in Utah pre-season. Obviously did enough to be selected in the first game, and to his eternal regret, I'm sure, he stunk it up in that game. Really, really unfortunate timing to put in a shocker and it's certainly cost him. He's since busted his guts in the VFL but has been starved of opportunity to get into the seniors (Ben Warren, Ben Ross, Super Gav and Cruize all in the same boat).

I reckon all this says that football is his main focus and I wish him good luck. Sure, he's got an uphill battle to break into the best 22, but it's not due to lack of focus on getting there, IMO.

Quality post LtK.

I wish him well too. He's a North man now and everything I've seen from him, pre season and VFL, has been very promising (bar that stinker). I reckon he'd go well in our side when it's humming along in form. As you said though, it's the competition for spots. He wasn't dubbed Hero for nothing, and the coach has made it clear of late that he feels he deserves a spot right now. He's upholding his end of the bargain, is Hero. The rest is out of his hands.

 

[Deddy]

http://www.kangaroos.com.au/latestnews/newsarticle/tabid/4912/newsid/117150/default.aspx

Today he kicked 5 in the VFL bringing his season total to 29. Who would we drop to bring him in Pedo is in awesome form as is Azza so who would make way for McKinley.

Daw was also in the best players with 14 possies and 24 hitouts.

 

[shintemaster]

Today he kicked 5 in the VFL bringing his season total to 29. Who would we drop to bring him in Pedo is in awesome form as is Azza so who would make way for McKinley.

Nobody. He can take a number and keep kicking goals.

 

[theduckfan]

Nobody. He can take a number and keep kicking goals.

Yep, sits in front of Hansen in waiting for a spot in the 22.
Geez having depth like this is a wonderful issue to have.

 

[Hunters Host #3]

He's playing some more than solid football but unfortunately for Ben, he'll have to just continue to pour on the pressure.

He won't be taking anyone's spot at the moment.

But it's good to have Ben and others in the 2's keeping our 22 honest.

 

[thekelvin]

Bump

How's Mckinley going?

Am I winning? I said 42 goals in the VFL by seasons end

 

[Phaze Away]

Well if you really are curious, he's kicked 29 goals in his 9 VFL games so far this season. At this rate he'll finish the season with about 50-55 if he plays every game. He might be a chance to crack the seniors in the coming weeks, though.

 

[Liam Boy]

Bump

How's Mckinley going?

Am I winning? I said 42 goals in the VFL by seasons end

He's likely to play against St. Kilda

The club would be stupid not to give him another chance

 

[GarnerSmash]

He's likely to play against St. Kilda

The club would be stupid not to give him another chance

In place of....???

 

[LuvtheKangas]

Bump

How's Mckinley going?

Am I winning? I said 42 goals in the VFL by seasons end

Unfortunately for Ben, yes, you are looking very good for "nearest the pin".

He's likely to play against St. Kilda

The club would be stupid not to give him another chance

Perhaps I should wait a few more hours for final teams, but I too can see him making the final 22 this week. I hope he does.

 

[Liam Boy]

Well, he made it

 

[showusyacunningt]

He will kick 3 then St Kilda will give us $1million and 5 draft picks so he can be their next full forward.

 

[Groggyk]

Glad to see this bloke given another go and it's fair to say he simply must perform to be considered a chance for more senior footy this year.

He'll need 3 goals and a good workrate to keep himself in calculations for the rest of the year me thinks.

He's definitely got the ability and after his horror start in the blue and white stripes, this game will show us if he's got the application.

Good luck to the lad, I'm gonna back him in.

 

[Devil Fish]

I read from D Macs de-brief that McKinley is on the cusp of being recalled this week. I hope he does, I've still got this bloody $20 bet @ 300-1 for him to win the Coleman Medal. If he doesn't start playing soon, I fear this bet may be one of my worst ever.
If he doesn't play this week, I'm gonna have to look for a way to offset it which will take time I don't have. I've already left my watch on EDST which gives me an extra hour of daylight when I get home but I dont want to have to put my watch forward another hour as I did last year - it was a total disaster.

What time is training tomorrow afternoon?

Your bet remains alive there champ. I hope you have McKinley for the 1st goal Sunday. Any luck on those DNA results you were waiting for? Maybe you should put some $ up to see if Ryan Griffin & Peter Griffin are related?

Benito Carbone = The Tax.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Glad to see this bloke given another go and it's fair to say he simply must perform to be considered a chance for more senior footy this year.

He'll need 3 goals and a good workrate to keep himself in calculations for the rest of the year me thinks.

He's definitely got the ability and after his horror start in the blue and white stripes, this game will show us if he's got the application.

Good luck to the lad, I'm gonna back him in.

I'm with ya Groggy. All the best to the bloke on Sunday. He's earnt his shot.

 

[LeFtBehinD]

Honestly dont care how many goals he kicks, he needs to apply awesome forward pressure otherwise he cant fit in an already 3 KP forward line.

 

[Flawed Genius]

Excited to see him give it a red hot crack.

 

[scottywiper]

Worst selection of year . Done nothing in six quarters in north colours.

 

[KangaMatt]

We are playing 1 short out there. Has to be subbed off.

 

[Arden]

Going to repeat what I said in the GDT. That attempt to make on his chest instead of taking it in the hands was up there with Picioane's kick out of the air in the goal square.

Just don't see what he offers us.

 

[wowwe]

Going to repeat what I said in the GDT. That attempt to make on his chest instead of taking it in the hands was up there with Picioane's kick out of the air in the goal square.

Just don't see what he offers us.

Freed up list space at the end of the year.