Draft Profile Harry McKay and Ben McKay

[james Dean]

Harry may be carlton's best set shot for goal. Doesn't get much of the ball but could still end up kicking around 30 goals this year

 

[Snake_Baker]

Harry may be carlton's best set shot for goal. Doesn't get much of the ball but could still end up kicking around 30 goals this year

He could very well end up being a 60+ goal kicker, and what's more he has straightened up Carlton a lot more since he has been in the side.

 

[HARKER]

Both boys going well.

Harry showing plenty to like for the future in the AFL and Ben is flying in the VFL, and would be playing KPD at several other clubs right now.

North are facing conundrum with what to do with him. He's too good for the VFL, but Tarrant & Thompson are flying.

You have Durdin also. Maybe a double hand-over in the not too distant future?

Both the McKay boys will take time and will likely be in and out of their teams as the body may not quite be up to a full season. Give it 2-3 years.

 

[Snake_Baker]

You have Durdin also. Maybe a double hand-over in the not too distant future?

Both the McKay boys will take time and will likely be in and out of their teams as the body may not quite be up to a full season. Give it 2-3 years.

Ben is a clear head and shoulders above Durds this season mate.

Reuniting him with his Brother is not going to be a cheap exercise, but I would be surprised if the Carlton footy department aren't looking at it.. Contracted until the end of 2019 right now I would hope the club extends on that before this season is over. I suspect if we fall out of calculations as the season wears on then we will mothball Tarrant and/or Thompson and Ben will be playing seniors. He has stood up all season as the KPD in a VFL side that has been slaughtered in the midfield in every match.

 

[HARKER]

Ben is a clear head and shoulders above Durds this season mate.

Reuniting him with his Brother is not going to be a cheap exercise, but I would be surprised if the Carlton footy department aren't looking at it.. Contracted until the end of 2019 right now I would hope the club extends on that before this season is over. I suspect if we fall out of calculations as the season wears on then we will mothball Tarrant and/or Thompson and Ben will be playing seniors. He has stood up all season as the KPD in a VFL side that has been slaughtered in the midfield in every match.

I can't see it, given we have plenty of developing talls right now; Weitering, Marchbank and the guy we're all looking forward to; Macreadie.
Jones has another 5 years in him even though we're likely to lose Rowe and ASilvagni this year. Don't need any more KPD's for now.

 

[Snake_Baker]

I can't see it, given we have plenty of developing talls right now; Weitering, Marchbank and the guy we're all looking forward to; Macreadie.
Jones has another 5 years in him even though we're likely to lose Rowe and ASilvagni this year. Don't need any more KPD's for now.

Agree. The blues would probably only look at it if they could trade out and in with a profit.

 

[blueboy25]

Both boys going well.

Harry showing plenty to like for the future in the AFL and Ben is flying in the VFL, and would be playing KPD at several other clubs right now.

North are facing conundrum with what to do with him. He's too good for the VFL, but Tarrant & Thompson are flying.

Will Thompson go on next year?

 

[Snake_Baker]

Will Thompson go on next year?

Most likely on this years form.

 

[Faz 2000]

Good signs with Harry stringing some games together. He sure moves pretty well given his size. I think a Daniher-like role will suit him as deep forward and relief ruck - there are some similarities in how they go, even if Harry may not be in Daniher's class. That said, Harry looks a reasonable converter in front of goal, and that's something. Will be a man-mountain when he's done filling out.

The word was always Ben came to footy later, right? He's just flat-out played less games of footy than Harry, hence why he was considered the "second" prospect and might be a little more raw. Genetics would suggest he's got the same ceiling.

 

[Pafloyul]

Good signs with Harry stringing some games together. He sure moves pretty well given his size. I think a Daniher-like role will suit him as deep forward and relief ruck - there are some similarities in how they go, even if Harry may not be in Daniher's class. That said, Harry looks a reasonable converter in front of goal, and that's something. Will be a man-mountain when he's done filling out.

The word was always Ben came to footy later, right? He's just flat-out played less games of footy than Harry, hence why he was considered the "second" prospect and might be a little more raw. Genetics would suggest he's got the same ceiling.

Then why is one a defender and the other a forward? Seriously, though, I don't think Ben came later to football as much as to the TAC and only by less than half a season.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Then why is one a defender and the other a forward? Seriously, though, I don't think Ben came later to football as much as to the TAC and only by less than half a season.

The die isn't cast with Ben one way or another, he initially produced encouraging VFL results as a forward in his first season prior to taking up a spot in defensive someway through last season. Browns emergence have most likely led to the club trying out other possibilities with Ben.

 

[Pafloyul]

The die isn't cast with Ben one way or another, he initially produced encouraging VFL results as a forward in his first season prior to taking up a spot in defensive someway through last season. Browns emergence have most likely led to the club trying out other possibilities with Ben.

That would have something to do with it but there was always talk (at least pre-draft) of Ben perhaps being better suited as a defender, I don't necessarily agree with that, mind you.

 

[Snake_Baker]

That would have something to do with it but there was always talk (at least pre-draft) of Ben perhaps being better suited as a defender, I don't necessarily agree with that, mind you.

Ben as a forward

 

[Pafloyul]

Which is why I said, talk. I know he played a lot of his TAC time in the forward-line, particularly when Harry was off playing in the nationals. Personally, I think Ben is stronger and slightly better skilled but is less athletic over all than Harry. What that says about their chances or playing position going forward, is anybody's guess.

 

[Pykie]

Ben is clearly a defender from what I've seen of him.

Just a natural in the position compared to his forward play(like Tarrant was) and will have a very long career at North, probably starting next year.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Ben keeps going from strength to strength.

Has been best 3 in every VFL match this year, despite playing in a side with a midfield that has been regularly beaten.

Should be playing AFL.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Ben is just too good for the VFL now. He's not a boy any more.

He must play AFL from round 1 of 2019.

McKay ‘will be ready’

July 11, 2018 5:45 PM

The words ‘AFL ready’ continue to be associated with developing defender Ben McKay, and those words have been echoed by two of his most respected teammates. “He’s (McKay) been awesome,” Robbie Tarrant told North Media. “Obviously it’s been tough work when the senior side is winning and you don’t get an opportunity. But the way he’s gone about his footy in the VFL and his training standards have been elite. “He’ll get his chance at some stage and he’ll take it.”

The 20-year-old has quickly earned a reputation as one of the hardest working players at Arden Street, spending his spare time honing his craft in anticipation of a seemingly inevitable return to senior footy.

McKay’s tireless work ethic hasn’t gone unnoticed by those around the club.

“He’s the last one out on the track most days,” Tarrant said. “I’ve noticed that he’s been doing a lot of work with ‘Boomer’ (Brent Harvey) with his hands and doing a lot of high balls and marking. You can tell that he's been certainly been putting in the hours on the track. “That’s why he’s clean in the marking contests on game day. “I think playing forward and coming back more regularly this year has allowed him to adapt to the game style. “When he comes in, he’s going to be ready.”

Key-forward Jarrad Waite has spent time playing on McKay, and can understand why he’s been such a tough match-up for opposition forwards in 2018.

“Ben’s biggest strength is his ability to put body on early,” Waite said. “He’s able to move you off from where you want to be and he’s got really good closing speed. You can see that Ben’s a pretty strong lad. “Because he’s played forward, he’s got a good ability to read the ball and take really good marks. He really has all the attributes to play some really solid footy for us.”

Despite a lack of AFL opportunities this season, due mainly to the form of the likes of Tarrant, Scott Thompson and Majak Daw, Waite believes McKay is on the cusp of another senior opportunity.

“Ben is always out there working and doing extras, working on his hands and marking,” he added. “Being a defender, he’s not just worrying about the spoiling, He’s taking his game to new levels. “When you look at all the defenders in the comp, they’re really good at punching when they need to spoil. If they can take the mark, they do that and they’re attributes that he keeps working on as well. “He might not be getting his opportunities because ‘Scooter’, ‘Taz’ and ‘Maj’ are playing so well, but we know that if anything happens to one of them, he’s going to come in and be fine.”

http://m.nmfc.com.au/news/2018-07-11/mckay-will-be-ready-

 

[rog1995]

Harry coming along very nicely. 21 goals in 13 games with very limited supply. Has X factor. Just needs to complete a preseason and he could be anything.

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

Harry coming along very nicely. 21 goals in 13 games with very limited supply. Has X factor. Just needs to complete a preseason and he could be anything.

Both going to be very good players. Harry has a nice burst of speed and he has a few tricks. Ben has the burst too, but I would argue that he's more of a one-on-one brute atm, nttawwt, every team needs a gorilla defender/forward or two.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Harry coming along very nicely. 21 goals in 13 games with very limited supply. Has X factor. Just needs to complete a preseason and he could be anything.

You can tell they're not going to be busts.

I have watched 6 games of VFL footy this season and I can only remember him being out marked in a contested scenario twice, from what must have amounted to 80-90 contests, and that was by his brother. He dominated the air in defence yesterday in the VFL, then was swung forward in the last quarter and took a couple of contested marks on Sam Collins (a bloke rated by many to get drafted).

He's just too good for the VFL. Has to play seniors in round 1 of 2019, and I will make the call now that he will be as good as Robbie Tarrant as an aerial defender by the time he has 30 games under his belt. North's full backs are set for the next decade.

 

[rog1995]

You can tell they're not going to be busts.

I have watched 6 games of VFL footy this season and I can only remember him being out marked in a contested scenario twice, from what must have amounted to 80-90 contests, and that was by his brother. He dominated the air in defence yesterday in the VFL, then was swung forward in the last quarter and took a couple of contested marks on Sam Collins (a bloke rated by many to get drafted).

He's just too good for the VFL. Has to play seniors in round 1 of 2019, and I will make the call now that he will be as good as Robbie Tarrant as an aerial defender by the time he has 30 games under his belt. North's full backs are set for the next decade.

Both are 20 year old KPP. I'm surprised that both Ben McKay and Durdin haven't been getting games for North. Not sure if injured however it would've been great to get a dozen games into them this year.

 

[Snake_Baker]

It's hard to believe they are only 20 and so physically mature already. They are going to be beasts.

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

Both are 20 year old KPP. I'm surprised that both Ben McKay and Durdin haven't been getting games for North. Not sure if injured however it would've been great to get a dozen games into them this year.

Durdin broke his leg a little while back. Thompson, Daw and Tarrant have had good years, it is our medium defenders who have struggled a lot, especially with the Vickers-Willis injury. EVW and McKay will be long term features at north. Durdin, I’m not so sure about, seems to lack intensity.

 

[Blueboys7]

It's hard to believe they are only 20 and so physically mature already. They are going to be beasts.

Ben may be the only guy that can match Harry in a few years.

 

[Ambrosia]

Carlisle clones with a maybe a bit more toe imo