Free Agency Ben McKay [Joins Essendon as RFA]

[JGreezy]

Turning the club around in what way? You've had one of the worst seasons and off seasons in history with scandal after scandal and Hood has just spouted out the same line of 'we'll support our people' no matter how vile the allegations are against them.

Even my lifelong North supporter friends are absolutely ashamed of their club after the last couple of years.

What do you think other AFL presidents would have done differently?

And North are in a postive financial situation again, they are doing some great things in the community and they hired the most successful coach of the modern era. Things are turning around.

 

[LuvtheKangas]

Good luck to Hood in her cancer battle but she's easily the worst Prez in the league right now and every press release seems to just add to the list of embarrassments. Sounds like she's more interested in coming across as a real tough leader to the media than actually running the club successfully.

Clueless.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

What do you think other AFL presidents would have done differently?

And North are in a postive financial situation again, they are doing some great things in the community and they hired the most successful coach of the modern era. Things are turning around.

Is that why ur getting the equal most funding from the AFL behind the two expansion clubs?

As for Clarko... I'm sure many Blues fans were thinking the same when Mick Malthouse rocked up at Ikon Park, turned out great for us

You've been a disaster on field and equally as bad off it. Tarryn Thomas playing VFL all of last year while his victims sought justice yet not a peep from North or Hood until its leaked to the media.

Ben Mckay would be wise to get the hell out of there while he still can.

 

[rye]

thinking about it more i doubt mckay is worth a band 1 contract and if he leaves its because he wants out of north rather than money. him receiving a band 1 contract would likely rate him at about the levels of andrews / may to the incoming club, which he most certainly is not

like north fans thinking thomas was worth an early first rounder (and more for some) when he wanted out last year, i think the reality is going to be far different

 

[weltschmerz]

Would put money that he'll end up at Geelong or Richmond where big names usually end up and every other team is gonna end up disappointed.

 

[Bojan KantKick]

thinking about it more i doubt mckay is worth a band 1 contract and if he leaves its because he wants out of north rather than money. him receiving a band 1 contract would likely rate him at about the levels of andrews / may to the incoming club, which he most certainly is not

like north fans thinking thomas was worth an early first rounder (and more for some) when he wanted out last year, i think the reality is going to be far different

So you're saying he'll leave North for significant unders financially? Sounds unlikely.

 

[rye]

So you're saying he'll leave North for significant unders financially? Sounds unlikely.

if he wants to enjoy playing and have a modicum of success in his prime years, yes.

 

[Bojan KantKick]

if he wants to enjoy playing and have a modicum of success in his prime years, yes.

That would be a massive outlier if it happened

 

[Wild Bill]

Good luck to Hood in her cancer battle but she's easily the worst Prez in the league right now and every press release seems to just add to the list of embarrassments. Sounds like she's more interested in coming across as a real tough leader to the media than actually running the club successfully.

Wow - this is bizarre. Most North people rate Hood. Look at the off season and who she has got to the club. That’s quality leadership.

 

[Elmer_Hauser]

Good luck to Hood in her cancer battle but she's easily the worst Prez in the league right now and every press release seems to just add to the list of embarrassments. Sounds like she's more interested in coming across as a real tough leader to the media than actually running the club successfully.

Huh ? Sounds like she handled the Clarkson racism allegations very well all things considered

It was her predecessor that mainly left North as a basketcase, and it was always going to take at least 3 years (probably more) for her and her board to turn things around at Arden St.

I think she is doing a good job so far, under incredibly tough circumstances

 

[Elmer_Hauser]

Would put money that he'll end up at Geelong or Richmond where big names usually end up and every other team is gonna end up disappointed.

If Carlton wants him, Carlton gets him (we always get who we want )

Actually not sure if he is worth the big money being touted/thrown around (certainly not as much as his twin Harry)

Also Richmond have a long term promosinf young defender in the wings in Gibcus, I'd anything, they would be looking to cash in their available cap space on an available key power forward to replace Riewoldt (in the twilight of his career) and an aging Lynch.

Time will tell, it always does.

 

[Wild Bill]

If Carlton wants him, Carlton gets him (we always get who we want )

Actually not sure if he is worth the big money being touted/thrown around (certainly not as much as his twin Harry)

Also Richmond have a long term promosinf young defender in the wings in Gibcus, I'd anything, they would be looking to cash in their available cap space on an available key power forward to replace Riewoldt (in the twilight of his career) and an aging Lynch.

Time will tell, it always does.

It’s a massive year for him. Agree on the money being mentioned.

There is also the worry of concussions. He had two last year. I think a long term contract has its dangers. That’s not just for other clubs - it’s for us as well.

 

[Horizons_00]

Our president has been great

I hope Mckay doesnt leave

 

[Wild Bill]

Our president has been great

I hope Mckay doesnt leave

Agree.

Agree.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Gone

 

[Elmer_Hauser]

Gone

Can you tell me next week's lotto numbers please ?

 

[Le Grille]

Can you tell me next week's lotto numbers please ?

That’s be fair I’m astonished Cornes hasn’t got his rocks off yet on this topic.

**** I hope he signs

 

[FlyHigh18]

Just a reminder that retiring players don't automatically 'free up' an equal amount of cap space.

Clubs make assumptions on who won't be playing on, and may backend other contracts to coincide with it, thus using up that space.

What I'm saying is that 'free space' could be already be reserved for a another players backended contract. Especially if a club has signed on many high value players recently.

 

[Rich01]

Gone

North should have put a monster contract in front of him by now, to keep the wolves at bay.
They should have decent room in their cap to afford to do so.

Him not signing up prior to season starting only adds to the speculation that he’s on his way out the door end of year.

Geez I’d love him at my club. But we need more help down the other end of the ground and I think that would be our priority.

 

[StazMob]

Does the impending increase in salary cap (5% I believe) change the decision to hold off on signing? His manager is going to be doing everything to get his client the best deal possible, assessing options puts it back on North to give him the best possible deal they could, and I think we'll see him get close to the 850-1m mark even if heavily frontloaded. I personally am of the view he stays; I think with Clarko coming in and bringing in Logue to be the other big KPD not only would give McKay more confidence in the future but also less to have to do on the field as well. McKay also joining the leadership group this year would also tell me he's invested. I think a deal will be worked out that keeps both sides pretty happy. This will be his big payday that will likely see him through the peak and twilight of his career so it's reasonable to assume all facets of due diligence will be done, however the media will continue to beat this up as the season goes on. Here's hoping it's not the opposite.

 

[Drunkcat]

Would put money that he'll end up at Geelong or Richmond where big names usually end up and every other team is gonna end up disappointed.

Richmond can have him he is no star

 

[Drunkcat]

I'd be surprised if the starting point is that high. Even 750+ might do it. But of course the AFL keep us guessing by not publishing clear parameters - wouldn't want to relinquish that discretionary wriggle room.

Wow he is not worth that money 600 tops

 

[Elmer_Hauser]

Wow he is not worth that money 600 tops

Probably worth more than that given the lack of quality young KPDs around.

Essendon really should be all over him imo

 

[LuvtheKangas]

Wow he is not worth that money 600 tops

I never suggested that. It was a discussion on band 1 compo levels.

Having clarified that, I think you'll be surprised when you see the deal he eventually signs.

 

[Le Grille]

I never suggested that. It was a discussion on band 1 compo levels.

Having clarified that, I think you'll be surprised when you see the deal he eventually signs.

Yeah I think he will command well in excess of 600k