Ben Keays Biography

Jordan Dawson and Ben Keays are co-winners of the Malcolm Blight Medal as the best and fairest players for the Crows in 2024.

Adelaide announces an expanded leadership group, with Lachlan Murphy among four additions to support captain Jordan Dawson.

The 25-year-old Murphy joins Darcy Fogarty, Wayne Milera and Mitch Hinge as fresh faces with Brodie Smith, Ben Keays and Reilly O'Brien named as joint vice-captains.

Ben Keays' kick to put the Crows in front against the Swans with just 80 seconds remaining is deemed a behind by the goal umpire, resulting in a one-point loss to the Crows and effectively ending Adelaide's 2023 season.

"The result stands. This was a mistake and they happen repeatedly through games by players, officials and others," AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said about the incident.

"The challenging part through this is the moment of this and ultimately the mistake could have been reviewed and wasn't. It could have been changed. That's the challenging part of this.

"Last night in the umpire's mind there was a clear noise and a clear deflection. On review from the video evidence that wasn't right.

"It was a human error that happens repeatedly through games across the course of the year, but this is an error that given the context and the moment was of great consequence."

Ben Keays is fined $1,000 for ripping off Mason Cox's glasses in a scuffle that took place during the Crows' narrow loss to Collingwood at the MCG.

After being delisted by Brisbane in 2019, Ben Keays will complete a remarkable career revival when he captains Adelaide this weekend against Carlton in place of the injured Rory Sloane and Brodie Smith.

"He is probably the hardest worker we have got. In terms of total workload he is up there in-game, off-field, he does everything can. He is probably leading our B&F (best and fairest award), he has been consistent and been dominant. It's a just reward for him," Crows teammate Tom Doedee said of Keays.

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks says the rest of the leadership group will share captaincy duties following skipper Rory Sloane's ACL injury that has ruled him out for the rest of the season. The group includes Brodie Smith, Ben Keays, Reilly O'Brien and Tom Doedee.

"There's four guys there who are outstanding leaders in their own right and they will work through the rest of the year and make sure we have that leadership on-field," Nicks said.

Adelaide adds two new faces to its leadership group for 2022, namely Ben Keays and Reilly O'Brien. The two will serve under fourth-year skipper Rory Sloane along with Tom Doedee and Brodie Smith.

Matt Crouch will no longer be part of the group in 2022 following an injury-riddled 2021 in which he was unable to add to his 125-game career.

"We are blessed at this footy club to have a number of leaders within our playing group and the addition of both Reilly and Ben to the leadership group reflects the growth of our young team and the exciting direction we are heading," Crows coach Matthew Nicks said.

Ben Keays signs a new two-year contract with Adelaide after another strong 2021 season where he averaged 28 disposals, five clearances, and six tackles to go with 12 goals.

"Ben arrived at the Club with the right attitude of wanting to work hard and earn his spot in the team and that's been evident in the football he has played," Adelaide list manager Justin Reid said.

"He has earnt the respect of his teammates and coaches which has been recognised in best-and-fairest voting in both seasons he's been with us and the improvement he has shown makes us excited for what's still to come."

Ben Keays is having a career-best year in 2021, averaging 29 disposals while being a key component of the Crows' midfield.

"Getting a run of games and having the faith of the coaches can make a huge difference," he said.

"I haven't done anything out of the ordinary. I haven't worked harder. I'm the same bloke. Playing back in my natural position has helped a lot, being around the footy has helped, and my tank is a strength and I'm using that."

Brisbane delist Ben Keays, Josh Walker and Ryan Bastinac.

"All three players have been dedicated contributors to our football club on and off the field over the last three to four years and we thank them for their contribution," Brisbane football boss David Noble said.

"As young men, they have all been a pleasure to have at our club where they have been well respected and liked by our playing group. It is always hard to let good people go and we would hope that Ryan, Ben and Josh get another opportunity through the delisted free agency mechanism."

Ben Keays signs a new deal that will tie him to the Brisbane Lions until the end of 2019.

Ben Keays makes his AFL debut for Brisbane at the Gabba with 11 disposals (5 kicks and 6 handballs), 8 tackles and a goal in a 3-point loss to Sydney.

Ben Keays will make his AFL debut as a Brisbane Lion against the Sydney Swans at the Gabba this week.

"It's been something I've been waiting for a long time," Keays said.

"I was battling it out in the reserves and we were having some tough losses, but I was just trying to do everything right and keep working hard and in the end I got the reward."

Brisbane select Ben Keays pick No.24 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.

"A competitive player, he can play inside and out, has been a strong performer for our NEAFL side and we're looking for him to play some senior football next year," Brisbane recruiting manager Stephen Conole said of Keays.