Ben McKay is rumoured to be on the move from North Melbourne in the coming off season, having hit the eight-year cut off for becoming a free agent. There is a long history of key position players learning the craft at lesser franchises and then moving to one of the juggernaut clubs to chase flags: Tom J. Lynch, Steven May, even Brian Lake back in the day. Could McKay be worth the price tag of nearly a million per year that his agent is asking for, and North would love for him to get so that they get the best compensation pick? Seems like a solid gamble if you're in the window.
Ben McKay is rumoured to be on the move from North Melbourne in the coming off season, having hit the eight-year cut off for becoming a free agent. There is a long history of key position players learning the craft at lesser franchises and then moving to one of the juggernaut clubs to chase flags: Tom J. Lynch, Steven May, even Brian Lake back in the day. Could McKay be worth the price tag of nearly a million per year that his agent is asking for, and North would love for him to get so that they get the best compensation pick? Seems like a solid gamble if you're in the window.
Ben McKay may be the lesser-hyped of the twins with most media focusing on Coleman Medal chance Harry, but he has the potential to become a worthy fantasy stud in defence in his own right when he comes into his full powers, especially in Supercoach competitions. The question mark over him is not his own scoring ceiling but the demands of the team around him. Can he become a Michael Hurley type installed permanently in the defensive half, or will he be swung forward too often like Cale Hooker? Fantasy owners in dynasty leagues will wonder.
McKay looks for the okay
Largely biding his time in the VFL in his second listed season, Ben McKay posted 14 marks one day against Sandringham but averaged less than four in his 12 other appearances, which was also his rate in three senior games. The retirement of Scott D. Thompson opens up a spot for which McKay should be front and centre in the queue, as he has served a full apprenticeship. His fantasy scoring appears to be well below startable levels.
Nay on McKay
A promising key defender, Ben McKay is tipped to do big things for North Melbourne this season. Known for his marking ability, McKay has bulked up significantly ahead of the 2019 season and will stake a strong claim for a spot in the North Melbourne defensive unit. Unfortunately, at no stage during his junior career or in the VFL has McKay shown any promise as a fantasy scorer. As a close-checking key defender, McKay should not be considered in drafts, even if he looks likely to play in round 1.
McKay just okay
A move from attack to defence paid off for Ben McKay with one senior game at the end of his second listed season, where he started at CHB then went off in Q3 after a headclash. McKay is evidently being groomed to replace Scott D. Thompson, but he does not yet have the ability to find the footy on the rebound like SDT showed in his younger days. Avoid.
