Profile

Position: Key-forward/Defender
Club: Gippsland Power
Height: 198cm
Weight: 95kg

AFL.com.au said:

At the start of this season, Ben McKay didn't think he was good enough to play for the Gippsland Power let alone have his name called as an AFL draftee.

McKay, alongside his twin brother Harry, played for Warragul at local level in Victoria's southeast last year and both won an invitation to train with the Power during the pre-season.

But Ben felt like he had only gained a call-up because of Harry, and didn't think he belonged at that level. After months of self-doubt, he pulled out of the Power's program in February.

But after watching Harry play for Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and then stringing together some strong performances for Warragul's senior team, Ben's self-belief grew and he had another shot at being a TAC Cup player.

He's glad he did. He played 10 games in the back-half of the year, caught the eye of scouts as a tall and developing prospect and was invited to test at the draft combine last month.

Versatility is important at AFL level and McKay has shown an ability to play well at both ends of the ground. 

Some of his best form has been as a tall and commanding centre-half back, but he has also played some really promising games deep in attack. That included an impressive four-goal haul in the final round of the TAC Cup home and away season.

McKay possesses a natural competitive spirit: he enjoys the rough and tumble, crashing into packs and using his big frame to push opponents out of the way. At 199cm and 95kg, few others can match McKay in a wrestling contest.

McKay is smart at ground level but his overhead marking is his standout quality. There's also plenty of development left in him, particularly given his later entry into the talent pathway.

Gippsland coach Leigh Brown said:

“Ben is a 200cm (Harry’s twin) who enjoyed his first year in the program and really shot up height wise over the course of the past 18 months. More of a key back who can go forward who hasn’t done a lot of ruck work but worked on it in latter half of the year. Athletic, has a good motor, uses the ball well and is nicknamed ‘Buckets’ because of his marking.“ - SEN

North Recruiting Manager Bryce Lewis said:

"We think he's got the attributes and talent to develop into a power forward. He's certainly going to provide a physical presence and impact marking contests.

"Obviously, we have a positional need with Drew getting on (Petrie is 33) and we're hoping he can fill that gap.

"We definitely see him as a forward long term.

"He's a highly competitive kid who has really improved over the second half of the year after playing senior footy at Warragul."