AFL Player #32: Ben "Buckets" McKay

[VelvetSledge]

Contract: Unrestricted Free Agent 2029
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 30, Dave

 

[faible]

Welcome Ben. Hope you can play your brother for the first time next year.

Given Harry's kicking efforts I'm not sure if we're better off letting him just get the ball

 

[fairbump_playon]

Such a huge signing.

We haven't had a "wall" since Cale Hooker.

Will release fellow defenders, and give players further up the ground relief and confidence.

If only BZT would stay as a 2nd tall

Kaine Baldwin says hi!

 

[Algorithmic Hot Takes]

I don't mind it.
A bit gorilla to handle your Hawkins (probably not for much longer), Lynchs, etc.
We seemed to be getting rag-dolled around by the really big/heavy forwards.
Ridley will be able to play an intercept role with freedom.

 

[jmoo wan]

hes a decent size, could we try him as a midfield bull?

 

[Call Me Cake]

Fills a list need. Our backline is set for the next 7 years.

Only thing that annoys me is that norf still managed to get pick 3 through a dumb age loophole. But if it wasn't us, it'd be the Hawks.

Welcome

 

[Foxx]

Kaine Baldwin says hi!

As a second tall defender, BZT replacement?

 

[BrunoV]

Hopefully he can be the man who broke the FA comp system, stupid as it is.

He's a very good signing.

Go back and watch his game on Wright. That's the baseline of his game from 2022. Mauling an opponent 1v1 in anything more favourable than a 30/70 against him and dominating the air with contested intercept marks.

Contested intercept marking is the key here. He plays 2 roles because of it. He'll stand most of the opponent's number 1 forwards and still provide elite intercept numbers.

In this regard he is the equivalent, and possibly better than peak Hooker and Carlisle, and a very similar style of player.

We just need to sort out his limitations with ball in hand.

That he and Scott want each other has me thinking we are going to see the best of McKay. The best of McKay is worth every bit of what we are paying him.

 

[crackers65]

Great signing. He is what we have been screaming out for. Will open the way for other defenders to play their natural roles.

 

[Doss]

A big, decent full back. We’ve sorely needed that for ages.

Very happy with this.

 

[fairbump_playon]

As a second tall defender, BZT replacement?

Yes. Or you can have Ridley as 2 and Baldwin as 3 if you want to count it that way.

 

[MiguelM]

 

[kool kangas]

for Pick#3..

 

[Pweter]

All of you are missing the point with this signing in that we clearly have the better looking twin.

 

[jannissary]

I chucked in $50, not sure on everyone else

$10 & a dymocks voucher from me

 

[jannissary]

welcome ben, gonna be interesting to have some height down back for once

 

[Schnitzengruben]

Welcome Margaret. Looking forward to this backline in 2024.

 

[Dan]

Thank you for your assistance in this draft pick heist.

Good day.

 

[Inspecta Gadget]

Is this where the hammer drops and Dodoro tells us we recruited him as a half forward flank?

4D chess.

 

[Nicholas61]

Hopefully he can be the man who broke the FA comp system, stupid as it is.

He's a very good signing.

Go back and watch his game on Wright. That's the baseline of his game from 2022. Mauling an opponent 1v1 in anything more favourable than a 30/70 against him and dominating the air with contested intercept marks.

Contested intercept marking is the key here. He plays 2 roles because of it. He'll stand most of the opponent's number 1 forwards and still provide elite intercept numbers.

In this regard he is the equivalent, and possibly better than peak Hooker and Carlisle, and a very similar style of player.

We just need to sort out his limitations with ball in hand.

That he and Scott want each other has me thinking we are going to see the best of McKay. The best of McKay is worth every bit of what we are paying him.

Might be the age the big guy is about to hit his straps if the body holds up. Very nice to have a monster down back. Some say he is slow but I thought he moves exceptionally well for a guy that size.

 

[emblurr]

Welcome back (whichever one you are)

 

[The Devils Advocate]

Weird seeing North fans like us for 5 mins.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Big Ben joins the Bombers

Key back to call NEC Hangar home.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[Don Won]

Weird seeing North fans like us for 5 mins.

That’s about 4 minutes and 59 seconds longer than I have liked them for

 

[maskmcgee]

Is he actually any good? All I've heard about him all year is how North can't wait to offload him to get pick 3.

 

[doug85]

Welcome back (whichever one you are)

Can’t believe they’re only 18 months old