Ben McKay Biography

Ben McKay speaks on his decision to exercise his free agency rights in 2023, ultimately moving to the Bombers from North Melbourne.

"If I had my time again I wouldn't change how I went about it because it was a big decision and I didn't want to take it lightly. I respected the whole situation and it is a big deal, you're changing clubs," he said.

"I grew up at North and spent so much of my early days as an adult there, so it was a big decision, but I was really proud of myself in how I was able to work through that process and not leave any stone unturned. It's the biggest decision of my life so far."

Ben McKay officially joins Essendon as a free agent with North Melbourne to receive pick No.3 as compensation.

McKay joins the Bombers on a six-year deal after eight years at North Melbourne.

Free agent Ben McKay nominates Essendon as his club of choice for 2024.

McKay had taken his time to decide on his future with the decision narrowing to Essendon, Hawthorn and Sydney in recent weeks.

As a restricted free agent, the Kangaroos are able to match a bid for him.

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson says the club is prepared to fight to keep free agent Ben McKay at the club.

"We think the best seven years of his career are going to be the next seven so we just don't want to say, 'oh yeah, he can just go'," Clarkson said.

"If we don't feel like we're going to get the compensation necessary for him, we're going to fight for him to stay. We want him to stay. Even in this draft, you say, 'take pick two or three for Ben McKay as compensation'. Let me know if there's a six-foot-six full-back or centre half-back in the draft who can replace him. There ain't at that pick."

Ben McKay will be sidelined for a number of weeks after suffering a significant foot injury.

After managing just four games in four years, Ben McKay has maintained his place in North Melbourne's senior side since round seven.

"I didn't panic. I played the first three games of last year and I learned a lot about what it takes to perform at AFL level," McKay said.

"Then I got dropped and got injured and I was sick also last year, so I certainly had a lot of time to think about how I can improve and be a consistent AFL player."

Ben McKay signs a two-year contract extension with North Melbourne to remain at the club until the end of 2021.

"Entering my fourth year now it's an exciting part of my career and two years is a good deal," McKay said.

"My first three years were a bit below par, by my standard, not playing as many games as I’d like but in the next three years hopefully I can really make an impact and start showing people what I’m capable of."

Carlton youngster Harry McKay delivered a cheeky Twitter quip to his twin brother, Ben McKay, after the North Melbourne tall had a debut he would rather forget on Saturday.

Ben collided heavily with Kangaroos teammate Sam Durdin in a big marking contest late in the third term of the 51-point win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

Play was halted for several minutes as Ben was fitted with a neck brace and taken from the ground on a motorised stretcher, before being admitted to hospital for observation.

Harry tweeted his brother on Monday night to congratulate him on his maiden game, but took a friendly swipe in the process.

"Congrats on the debut and first win @benmckay_23! How'd you go singing the song?" Harry tweeted, posting a photo of his brother on the stretcher.

Determined not to be outdone, Ben returned fire soon after because the sibling rivalry goes both ways.

"How many AFL games have you won?" Ben replied.

Ben McKay makes his AFL debut for North Melbourne at the Gabba with 9 disposals (2 kicks and 7 handballs), a mark, 3 tackles and 3 hitouts in a 51-point win over Brisbane.

Ben McKay has impressed the Kangaroos with a strong pre-season.

"He really impressed in Utah on the first-to-fourth-year camp. He's in a hurry, he wants to play, which is really good," North Melbourne forward line coach Leigh Tudor said.

"But from our point-of-view he's just got to get an AFL body, that's the first priority for him is making sure when he does play he can stay in.

"He's first on and last off the track, so he's fantastic to work with that way."

Ben McKay signs a 2-year contract extension, tying him to the club until 2019.

The twin brothers are both fresh AFL draftees, but Harry McKay reckons he has one over his sibling Ben.

Harry was snared by Carlton with pick No.10 in Tuesday's NAB AFL Draft, while Ben was chosen by North Melbourne with selection 21.

"I won't let him forget about that, that’s for sure ... I’ve definitely got the wood on him by being the first picked," Harry said.

Standing next to his brother, Ben didn't take the bait.

"I'll let my footy do the talking, I think. Wait until we get out on the ground," Ben said.

The towering 17-year-olds could well take their backyard scraps into the AFL arena - 200cm tall Harry is renowned as a forward and 198cm Ben is a defender.

"It would be a bit of fun," Harry said of a potential clash.

"There would be a fair bit of banter and a few little cheap shots.

"Hopefully, we can look forward to that in the next 10 years."

North Melbourne select Ben McKay with pick No.21 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.

"He's performed as a forward and a back in his short exposure in the NAB Cup – he only played the 10 games – but we think he's got the attributes to develop into a power forward," North Melbourne recruiting manager Bryce Lewis said.

"He's certainly going to provide a physical presence and impact marking contests. He's a highly competitive kid who has really improved over the second half of the year after playing senior footy at Warragul."