Free Agency Ben McKay [Joins Essendon as RFA]

[Elmer_Hauser]

I fully expect him to stay at North, but until he puts pen to paper, there will always be interest in one of the most valuable young KPD'a in the game..

You can pretty much count joining his brother Harry at Carlton out (no cap space)

I would assume he would stay in Victoria, Collingwood, Essendon, Hawthorn and St Kilda would all be very keen.

But as I say, I would be astonished if he left NMFC

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

I can see Geelong asking. It's the only area of the ground we're lacking in.

 

[HeHateMe]

Would love Hawthorn to ask the question

 

[Sky]

I can see Geelong asking. It's the only area of the ground we're lacking in.

seems like a match made in heaven

 

[Elmer_Hauser]

Would love Hawthorn to ask the question

Absolutely. Hawks definitely are in a strong position from a SC perspective.
Assuming you re-sign Moore and DGB gets over his rotten luck of injuries, if Hawthorn somehow get McKay, would shore up your defensive spine and backline for the next decade, and possibly give Sicily more time to switch into the forward line (when required)

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Reckon Essendon will go after him

 

[aussierulesrules]

I imagine lots of clubs will be going very hard at him and Himmelberg.

 

[Hamingja]

I can see Geelong asking. It's the only area of the ground we're lacking in.

We are a little short in the area depth wise heading into 2023 and we need to draft another young one to develop but future wise SDK and Henry are a sound pairing. If I was lashing out on a trade target or free agent I would be spending the $$$$ on an elite mid or key forward for the future which we will need post Selwood, Dangerfield and Hawkins, even if it needs to be banked for a year or two until the right player comes up.

McKay is a good lockdown defender in a poor side but he doesn't offer a lot with ball in hand. Not the sort of player you'd want to be spending big on IMO and North would be able to pay stupid money to keep him.

 

[HeHateMe]

Absolutely. Hawks definitely are in a strong position from a SC perspective.
Assuming you re-sign Moore and DGB gets over his rotten luck of injuries, if Hawthorn somehow get McKay, would shore up your defensive spine and backline for the next decade, and possibly give Sicily more time to switch into the forward line (when required)

It's a strong area of the ground for us youth wise but McKay would tie it together and we could be looking at one of the best defences in the comp in a few years.

Yeah the biggest hurdle would be why he would make the switch to us if we are no better off than North. A lot will come down to how the teams perform in 2023.

 

[weltschmerz]

We’ve got the cap space and need a long term piece for the back line, very keen

 

[the big lebowski]

We are a little short in the area depth wise heading into 2023 and we need to draft another young one to develop but future wise SDK and Henry are a sound pairing. If I was lashing out on a trade target or free agent I would be spending the $$$$ on an elite mid or key forward for the future which we will need post Selwood, Dangerfield and Hawkins, even if it needs to be banked for a year or two until the right player comes up.

McKay is a good lockdown defender in a poor side but he doesn't offer a lot with ball in hand. Not the sort of player you'd want to be spending big on IMO and North would be able to pay stupid money to keep him.

Lead the comp for ave intercept marks per game, and was subbed out of 3-4 games early.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

We are a little short in the area depth wise heading into 2023 and we need to draft another young one to develop but future wise SDK and Henry are a sound pairing. If I was lashing out on a trade target or free agent I would be spending the $$$$ on an elite mid or key forward for the future which we will need post Selwood, Dangerfield and Hawkins, even if it needs to be banked for a year or two until the right player comes up.

McKay is a good lockdown defender in a poor side but he doesn't offer a lot with ball in hand. Not the sort of player you'd want to be spending big on IMO and North would be able to pay stupid money to keep him.

Yeah but elite key forwards are as rare as hens teeth and very hard to get in trade/FA (like cameron was). So its more realistic to re-tool the forward line post hawkins with what we have and get a good kpd in to support sdk (which we need).

 

[Heaps of fun]

Yeah but elite key forwards are as rare as hens teeth and very hard to get in trade/FA (like cameron was). So its more realistic to re-tool the forward line post hawkins with what we have and get a good kpd in to support sdk (which we need).

Cats will probably poach Cadman from GWS in a couple of years.

 

[L_W_P]

I imagine lots of clubs will be going very hard at him and Himmelberg.

I would ****ing LOVE Himmelberg at the Saints. His work across half back in 2022 was elite. Crazy that they are going to put him forward again in 2023.

I expect Essendon to go the hardest at McKay though. Looking at their list and a big FB is the only think they really lack. Reid and Taylor could get there but McKay is a proven commodity that would stabilize their backline immediately.

 

[Nutjob]

North’s biggest weakness is our defence. We will basically pay him what he wants on a long term deal. Clubs will no doubt come, but we will pay more than all of them.


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[Bucking Bronco]

Will be the best key defender in the comp as early as next year.

 

[XhazzafootyX]

Will be the best key defender in the comp as early as next year.

Needs more support around him corr ain’t much chop

 

[Burtman]

if north manage a threepeat of spoons, that’s enough for anyone to think about leaving

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Cats will probably poach Cadman from GWS in a couple of years.

Its always possible but i dont see cadman leaving. In any case with henry now here and so long as neale stays we probably need a key back (definitely) and a ruck (maybe) more than a key forward for what one would cost.

 

[Rich01]

North’s biggest weakness is our defence. We will basically pay him what he wants on a long term deal. Clubs will no doubt come, but we will pay more than all of them.


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Yep, expect North to put out an big offer early in the year. If he trots out the wait til end of year line then he’s leaving.

 

[Psicosis]

If he leaves, I’d actually expect Collingwood.

I get how some may think that Essendon makes sense, but that’s only until you realise Ben nearly left North due to Brad Scott. Zero chance he goes to be coached by him again.

 

[robbo1981]

I'm sure Port will ask the question exactly what we need .

 

[CrazyJoeFevola]

Would love us to have a crack, a lot of cap space opening up at the end of the year but I don’t think the brothers want to play together.

 

[Marcel Proust]

Lead the comp for ave intercept marks per game, and was subbed out of 3-4 games early.

Assume the ball was there a lot ..

 

[BulldogMuscle]

Dogs wanted him in the past, I'd expect them to make another play for him.