Free Agency Ben McKay [Joins Essendon as RFA]

[Sphynx]

Really wished Carlton could have got hit him. He is a perfect no nonsense defender.

The compensation was bullshit though.

If the compo was Band 1 for a team who finished 8th and it was Pick 10, you wouldn't have batted an eyelid.

 

[james Dean]

If the compo was Band 1 for a team who finished 8th and it was Pick 10, you wouldn't have batted an eyelid.

A team that finished 8th wouldn’t let him walk.

 

[Outtatym]

A team that finished 8th wouldn’t let him walk.

Essendon let Daniher walk for pick 7 a few years ago. If a player doesn't wanna be there they don't want to be there.

 

[Soggy2112]

Essendon let Daniher walk for pick 7 a few years ago. If a player doesn't wanna be there they don't want to be there.

Let me start by saying that North Melbourne did not do anything wrong, nor did they do anything that any other club would not have done in their position. This is an issue with the free agency compensation system.

The issue is not that North Melbourne let Ben McKay leave, it is that they did not use the restricted free agency mechanism. They did not bother to match the offer because they knew that the compensation they would receive from a trade would not match the value they received from FA compensation.

North are not the first club to do this which is the issue. Essendon did so with Daniher, Adelaide did so with Brad Crouch to a lesser extent.

In my opinion, if you do not have the cap room to match a rival club’s offer, or you choose not to for whatever reason, then you should not receive compensation for that player. The restricted free agency mechanism is there for this exact purpose. We should be forcing clubs to use it, not allowing them to just let players walk knowing they’ll be given a nice reward.

 

[Yoda_]

skewed cause games played but top 10 for 1%'ers, intercepts, contested and minutes played



worth. every. penny

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Everyones probably gotta put our hands up on this and say we were wrong

He was worth every penny and pick 4 was unders for what he brings to the table not only for Essendon but North too

He is the best tall defender in the league this season and on his way to AA

Good on you Ben for proving us all wrong and also I think making the right decision for his career too. Now you will get the respect you deserve

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

Not quite but the year after I expect a Collingwood like rise

12 months on, still playing for handouts.

 

[Yoda_]

Fun fact,

Ben will be half a win behind in total (premiership) points earn in 10 games at Essendon than he earns in 6 seasons with North Melbourne if the Bombers get up in North Melbournes annual grand final

 

[Yoda_]

Update

Ben McKay

32

Ben Mckay

Age

27

Ht

202cm

Wt

104kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.5

2star

K

3.7

1star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

1.7

4star

MG

77.2

1star

D

7.5

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.5

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

88.5

2star

D

7.0

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.0

4star

MG

67.8

1star

has half a game less wins in 10 as he did in 6 seasons with North. Listen to the post game interview he did and he just sounds happy, happy to be playing, playing well and winning certainly helps. The front ended contract of 3 years is proving its worth in gold

 

[HirdyLannister]

Feels like we stole Benny, has been a rock in our backline and hasn't missed a game.
Probably tracking for AA 40man squad selection.

 

[hotchilli]

Update

Ben McKay has half a game less wins in 10 as he did in 6 seasons with North. Listen to the post game interview he did and he just sounds happy, happy to be playing, playing well and winning certainly helps. The front ended contract of 3 years is proving its worth in gold

Glad to see you've changed your tune on McKay.

The trolling is just embarrassing yourself if you want to take a look back at your own posts pre-McKay signing in this thread...

we have leaked less points than premiership fancies Geelong, Fremantle, Brisbane

Not just that but we have some developing players at VFL level that if they get on the park will supersede Laverde &/or Zerk who are doing an admirable job thus far. McKay isn't a huge upgrade anyways so no point overpaying for the same player we have on the list already.

 

[Ambrosia]

When you read the numbers bandied about for this years free agents (Battle, Hayward, McCluggage) then McKay almost feels like a steal

 

[NorthernBastard]

Great pick up by Essendon, has made a huge difference to the balance of their backline.

 

[Yoda_]

Glad to see you've changed your tune on McKay.

The trolling is just embarrassing yourself if you want to take a look back at your own posts pre-McKay signing in this thread...

Ive happily put my hand up and say he is much, much better than id expected. Most Essendon supporters would all agree.

I wanted us to back in what we had (Reid, was injured again, Laverde, not good enough, Baldwin, under sized, Hayes, under developed but showing signs, Ridley, better as an interceptor)

He has been a revelation as a backmen, such his rating or lack there of, he should be in the conversation of AA honours.

 

[Yoda_]

When you read the numbers bandied about for this years free agents (Battle, Hayward, McCluggage) then McKay almost feels like a steal

Wild Bill told me it was overs though

$1.3 for the first 3, almost base payments for the last 3 is a steal

 

[hotchilli]

Ive happily put my hand up and say he is much, much better than id expected. Most Essendon supporters would all agree.

I wanted us to back in what we had (Reid, was injured again, Laverde, not good enough, Baldwin, under sized, Hayes, under developed but showing signs, Ridley, better as an interceptor)

He has been a revelation as a backmen, such his rating or lack there of, he should be in the conversation of AA honours.

That’s fine, you should be enjoying what McKay is doing for you but don’t come trolling other people’s shit takes when your own was clearly as bad.

 

[Yoda_]

That’s fine, you should be enjoying what McKay is doing for you but don’t come trolling other people’s s**t takes when your own was clearly as bad.

I was opening up discussion and as an adult popped my hand up to say, "yep, I got this wrong"

nothing wrong with what was said imho

 

[hotchilli]

I was opening up discussion and as an adult popped my hand up to say, "yep, I got this wrong"

nothing wrong with what was said imho

Come on now, let’s be real. There are strong elements of baiting/trolling going into your version of “opening up discussion”.

 

[Soggy2112]

When you read the numbers bandied about for this years free agents (Battle, Hayward, McCluggage) then McKay almost feels like a steal

I disagree. In Essendon’s specific case it seems money well spent, but in general I think it isn’t smart to spend big $$$ on key backs.

A large percentage of the top KPD in the game come late in the draft or from other pathways. It’s not hard to get a good one off the scrap heap. It is much harder to find a quality midfielder or key forward not from the pointy end of the draft.

Harris Andrews (pick 61)
Alex Pearce (pick 37)
James Sicily (pick 56)
Dylan Grimes (PSD)
Aliir (pick 44)
Callum Wilkie (rookie draft)
Jeremy McGovern (rookie draft)

I could list more too.

 

[Ambrosia]

I disagree. In Essendon’s specific case it seems money well spent, but in general I think it isn’t smart to spend big $$$ on key backs.

A large percentage of the top KPD in the game come late in the draft or from other pathways. It’s not hard to get a good one off the scrap heap. It is much harder to find a quality midfielder or key forward not from the pointy end of the draft.

Harris Andrews (pick 61)
Alex Pearce (pick 37)
James Sicily (pick 56)
Dylan Grimes (PSD)
Aliir (pick 44)
Callum Wilkie (rookie draft)
Jeremy McGovern (rookie draft)

I could list more too.

I guess the big counter argument is Melbourne who traded significant draft capital to get May and Lever who were a the backbone of their premiership as defenders.

I do agree that in in a vacuum forwards and mids are more valuable than defenders but this debate doesn't feel quite relevant to my point. My point is that FAs look to have even higher prices this year regardless of position so with hindsight Essendon may not have overpaid at all.

 

[cAsEy_18]

Why bother kicking campaigners/clubs when down . Your a goose

Dons start winning and think they are invincible

You don’t want clubs kicked when they’re down?

That’s great. We really could’ve used you as a vocal advocate the last 20 years haha.

 

[PhoenixBonez]

I disagree. In Essendon’s specific case it seems money well spent, but in general I think it isn’t smart to spend big $$$ on key backs.

A large percentage of the top KPD in the game come late in the draft or from other pathways. It’s not hard to get a good one off the scrap heap. It is much harder to find a quality midfielder or key forward not from the pointy end of the draft.

Harris Andrews (pick 61)
Alex Pearce (pick 37)
James Sicily (pick 56)
Dylan Grimes (PSD)
Aliir (pick 44)
Callum Wilkie (rookie draft)
Jeremy McGovern (rookie draft)

I could list more too.

You mention not spending big money on KPDs and then point to what position they were taken in the draft?
By that logic Essendon didn’t have to use a draft pick at all so it’s even more of a steal!

Those KPDs only prove the point as McGovern and Sicily are probably the highest paid players at their clubs as well…?
Andrews also probably up there at Brisbane.
Good KPDs are hard to come by it seems.

 

[boncer34]

Still not sure sub 800k should've got North band 1 but little bit of a wink wink from the AFL I guess.

 

[hotchilli]

Still not sure sub 800k should've got North band 1 but little bit of a wink wink from the AFL I guess.

Righto.

 

[boncer34]

Righto.

What?