Past #23: Ben McKay - gone to * as RFA - NMFC awarded Band 1 pick #3 compo

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Merlin007 said:
Hawthorn and Sydney offered more? Defies logic
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I'm telling you, both the "Other clubs offered more but he chose Essendon" and "Essendon aren't going to offer enough to meet band one" were bullshit Dodoro rumors he pushed on his way out in the hopes of gaslighting another club into offering him a contract.
 

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That's one hell of a deal he signed. Thank God we didn't match.

Inside McKay chase

INSIDE THE MCKAY CHASE​

THE PURSUIT of Ben McKay told the wider story of this year's trade and free agency period, the tactics clubs are undertaking and some of the future of player movement.

Essendon's successful recruitment of McKay as a restricted free agent came after a long period of wooing, which saw Hawthorn and Sydney also vie strongly for his commitment.

All clubs knew it would be a competitive market, but the McKay chase, and subsequent dominoes of key defenders moving clubs, showed the tall backs environment to be even more fierce than predicted.

The North Melbourne free agent was one of eight key defenders to move through the Trade Period, along with Esava Ratugolea and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher to Port Adelaide, Tom Doedee to Brisbane, Joel Hamling to Sydney, Chris Burgess to Adelaide and Bigoa Nyuon to North Melbourne. The Kangaroos also signed former Swan Toby Pink as a delisted free agent. Ratugolea signed a five-year deal with the Power and Doedee a four-year deal with the Lions, with both having multiple suitors as the other high-priced defensive additions.

McKay toured Sydney's facilities and spoke with the Hawks and Bombers multiple times as he weighed his decision, with the Swans stepping up their interest after Tom Barrass decided to stay at West Coast.

Ultimately McKay wanted to stay in Victoria, with the Bombers edging out the Hawks as his preferred new home after a lengthy process. Bombers leaders Zach Merrett, Jordan Ridley, Mason Redman and Andrew McGrath had pushed to be part of the presentation to McKay and their message had resonated with him.

Ridley already had a good friendship with his now defensive partner, having trained over pre-seasons with a private running coach alongside McKay. Two of McKay's best games this season were against the Bombers, with the pair now central to Essendon's hopes of rising up the ladder.

McKay's deal of six years through to the end of 2029, plus a trigger for a seventh season, was lodged with the AFL on the opening day of the Trade Period – and the fourth day of free agency – before it was processed the following day and delivered the Kangaroos a band one compensation pick (No.3 pick overall).

The Roos had said they would have matched the deal and forced a trade if it was not at that level, with the deal believed to be around the $850,000 mark per season.

Essendon wasn't willing to trade for McKay, instead protecting its draft hand. It did that throughout the period, bringing in McKay, Jade Gresham and Todd Goldstein as free agents and Xavier Duursma as a trade but still remaining with three picks inside the first 35 selections (No.9, 31 and 35 overall).

The structuring of his deal also leant into Essendon's current position. The Bombers have been in a strong salary cap position in recent years and used some of that money to bring across their acquisitions.

It is believed McKay's deal will also be front-ended, meaning the Bombers will tip in more at the start of his deal while they have cash reserves to play with in the hope they continue to be aggressive in the free agency market.

A1WuNhAw.jpg

Ben McKay handballs during North Melbourne's clash against Sydney in round 10, 2023. Picture: Getty Images

McKay is understood to be going to be paid around $1.4 million to $1.5 million in 2024, with front-ending smart business and expected to be more common practice particularly for clubs with salary cap room given the expanded total player payments under the new collective bargaining agreement, which is kicking in next year.

Clubs are expected to use that more and more, particularly after the reminder they were given by the AFL at the start of the Trade Period that they must still hit the 95 per cent spending threshold. The cap's increasing level again in 2025 means clubs will likely look to pay off more of their bigger deals with room in their cap. It pays off their owings earlier while their cash haul rises significantly year on year.

As many clubs push to be able to trade salary cap space as the next frontier of player movement, money has become the major asset in trade and free agency dealings. The Bombers have been proponents of pick purchasing – a mechanism to be able to buy draft picks for salary cap space – and despite their haul of additions this year, they remain in strong shape for more tilts in coming seasons. – Callum Twomey
 
DEVO said:
That's one hell of a deal he signed. Thank God we didn't match.

Inside McKay chase

INSIDE THE MCKAY CHASE​

THE PURSUIT of Ben McKay told the wider story of this year's trade and free agency period, the tactics clubs are undertaking and some of the future of player movement.

Essendon's successful recruitment of McKay as a restricted free agent came after a long period of wooing, which saw Hawthorn and Sydney also vie strongly for his commitment.

All clubs knew it would be a competitive market, but the McKay chase, and subsequent dominoes of key defenders moving clubs, showed the tall backs environment to be even more fierce than predicted.

The North Melbourne free agent was one of eight key defenders to move through the Trade Period, along with Esava Ratugolea and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher to Port Adelaide, Tom Doedee to Brisbane, Joel Hamling to Sydney, Chris Burgess to Adelaide and Bigoa Nyuon to North Melbourne. The Kangaroos also signed former Swan Toby Pink as a delisted free agent. Ratugolea signed a five-year deal with the Power and Doedee a four-year deal with the Lions, with both having multiple suitors as the other high-priced defensive additions.

McKay toured Sydney's facilities and spoke with the Hawks and Bombers multiple times as he weighed his decision, with the Swans stepping up their interest after Tom Barrass decided to stay at West Coast.

Ultimately McKay wanted to stay in Victoria, with the Bombers edging out the Hawks as his preferred new home after a lengthy process. Bombers leaders Zach Merrett, Jordan Ridley, Mason Redman and Andrew McGrath had pushed to be part of the presentation to McKay and their message had resonated with him.

Ridley already had a good friendship with his now defensive partner, having trained over pre-seasons with a private running coach alongside McKay. Two of McKay's best games this season were against the Bombers, with the pair now central to Essendon's hopes of rising up the ladder.

McKay's deal of six years through to the end of 2029, plus a trigger for a seventh season, was lodged with the AFL on the opening day of the Trade Period – and the fourth day of free agency – before it was processed the following day and delivered the Kangaroos a band one compensation pick (No.3 pick overall).

The Roos had said they would have matched the deal and forced a trade if it was not at that level, with the deal believed to be around the $850,000 mark per season.

Essendon wasn't willing to trade for McKay, instead protecting its draft hand. It did that throughout the period, bringing in McKay, Jade Gresham and Todd Goldstein as free agents and Xavier Duursma as a trade but still remaining with three picks inside the first 35 selections (No.9, 31 and 35 overall).

The structuring of his deal also leant into Essendon's current position. The Bombers have been in a strong salary cap position in recent years and used some of that money to bring across their acquisitions.

It is believed McKay's deal will also be front-ended, meaning the Bombers will tip in more at the start of his deal while they have cash reserves to play with in the hope they continue to be aggressive in the free agency market.

A1WuNhAw.jpg

Ben McKay handballs during North Melbourne's clash against Sydney in round 10, 2023. Picture: Getty Images

McKay is understood to be going to be paid around $1.4 million to $1.5 million in 2024, with front-ending smart business and expected to be more common practice particularly for clubs with salary cap room given the expanded total player payments under the new collective bargaining agreement, which is kicking in next year.

Clubs are expected to use that more and more, particularly after the reminder they were given by the AFL at the start of the Trade Period that they must still hit the 95 per cent spending threshold. The cap's increasing level again in 2025 means clubs will likely look to pay off more of their bigger deals with room in their cap. It pays off their owings earlier while their cash haul rises significantly year on year.

As many clubs push to be able to trade salary cap space as the next frontier of player movement, money has become the major asset in trade and free agency dealings. The Bombers have been proponents of pick purchasing – a mechanism to be able to buy draft picks for salary cap space – and despite their haul of additions this year, they remain in strong shape for more tilts in coming seasons. – Callum Twomey
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1.4 mill in 2024 - and the hawthorn nuffies complaining about pick 3
 
Merlin007 said:
1.4 mill in 2024 - and the hawthorn nuffies complaining about pick 3
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At his current average of 10 disposals per game, that's over $6000 for every touch of the footy (assuming he plays all 23 games). Put another way, that's 3 times the average weekly wage each time he gets the ball, slowly turns around and kicks/handballs 16.2 metres sideways.

He would be an idiot not to accept that. And we would've been bigger idiots if we matched.
 
For that kind of coin, I'm a little pissed we didn't get two compensation picks, 3 and 4. :)
 
Merlin007 said:
1.4 mill in 2024 - and the hawthorn nuffies complaining about pick 3
Click to expand...
Would love to see the actual numbers in his contract, as if my maths are correct (and there is a good chance that they may not be), at an average of $850k PA over 6 years, with the first year at $1.4M, that means he would be taking a 20% salary cut each year and a year 6 salary of ~$450k to get to that average!

Seems stupid to me that with ongoing cost of living increases to be taking a front ended contract of that significance.

Although after watching the Beckam doco I am surprised at how we all carry on about $850 PA in 2023...
 

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Maybe Dylan Shiel was his inspiration for seeking success ?
 
heck you Ben See ya Ben, Thanks for the memories Pick 3


Probably should look at getting a kick in a regular game before worrying about finals.
 
I had no problem with what he said. Although… “Loved” his time and “wouldn’t change a thing”..? I think we all would’ve changed a bit. I’m sure we all would’ve loved, for example, to see more wins!

He’s left a team that will hopefully be successful in a few years time, for a team he hopes will be successful next year.
He’s in his prime. 6 year deal, not in the game long so giving it full roost. Back hanging with Brad. I’ve got no issues at all.
We got beyond fairly compensated, this is no dog act, I won’t be booing him. He’s a good egg.
All the best Ben 👍🏼
 
Is this the same guy from north - * are talking like he will be the difference 😂
 
The acurate one said:
Anyone else read on the * board about young Ben and not impressing with his efforts on the track. Absolutely no shock to me fyi
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Wouldn't surprise me.

The money they offered him is the sort you give to a Moore, May, Andrews type calibre defender. Would McKay even be in the top 50 players in the competition? The scrutiny will be fierce if his form isn't good next year given he'll be the highest paid player in 24.
 
The acurate one said:
Anyone else read on the * board about young Ben and not impressing with his efforts on the track. Absolutely no shock to me fyi
Click to expand...
Maybe we can take him back next year along with their first round pick and paying half of his salary.
 
Dan said:
Wouldn't surprise me.

The money they offered him is the sort you give to a Moore, May, Andrews type calibre defender. Would McKay even be in the top 50 players in the competition? The scrutiny will be fierce if his form isn't good next year given he'll be the highest paid player in 24.
Click to expand...
Top 50 players? Wouldn't be among the top 25 defenders in the comp.
 
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