By Peter Ryan
Essendon have spoken with North Melbourne defender Ben McKay as they target the restricted free agent to bolster their undersized defence.
The Bombers identified the 25-year-old as a player who could take on the big key forwards that have proved too much at times for the undersized but brave Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.
Ben McKay could solve a need for Essendon down back.Credit: AFL Photos
Sources familiar with trade discussions, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the catch-up and said such meetings between players and clubs were increasingly common at this time of the year.
The Bombers are interested the North Melbourne big man.Credit: AFL Photos
The Bombers’ interest comes as North Melbourne continue to discuss McKay’s situation with his management, with the parties meeting before the Kangaroos played Hawthorn in round 18.
Despite their depleted back line, the Kangaroos are hopeful of receiving significant compensation in the form of a high draft pick if McKay chooses to leave, although trade sources who spoke on the condition on anonymity said clubs interested in the key defender would not be prepared to break the bank to secure McKay.
McKay’s age would help elevate the potential compensation as he would still be 25 at trade time if he chooses to leave North Melbourne, which is one of the variables (along with the size of the base pay and the length of the contract) the AFL uses in determining compensation.
The younger the player, the higher the compensation.
The fact that McKay is a restricted free agent shows the Kangaroos valued him highly when they re-signed him on a two-year deal midway through 2021, and it allows them to potentially match any offer from another club.
The Kangaroos, who have won just eight of their past 62 games and lost their past 16 matches, are expected to ask the AFL formally for draft assistance at the end of the season as they look to rebuild under Alastair Clarkson.
If they were granted assistance they could gain priority access to top-10 draft pick Ryley Sanders.
Port Adelaide have been monitoring McKay too, but have set their sights on Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea, while Sydney have been targeting West Coast’s contracted premiership player Tom Barrass as they look to strengthen their defence. Hawthorn are also in the market for a key defender to support intercept marking star James Sicily.
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