North Melbourne free agent Ben McKay is set to open contract negotiations with the Kangaroos in the second half of the season.
With the key defender coming off contract at the end of 2023, speculation is circling about his future with rival clubs set to make plays to secure the emerging 25-year-old.
While McKay is putting off contract talks for now, he says he’s loving his time at Arden Street and that the club is also on the same page in terms of when to open discussions.
“I went on record three or four weeks ago that myself, my manager and the footy club are on the same page,” McKay told SEN Mornings.
“The communications have been really, really good and there’ll be a stage at the back end of the year or maybe halfway through the year – I’m not really sure – where we sit down, sort of figure it out and have a look deeper into it.
“The main point I’d like to get across is that I’m loving my time at the club, I’ve noticed a big shift in the place.”
While contract talks will be a big feature of McKay’s season, he says his focus at the moment is set on returning well from a foot injury.
McKay was ruled out for the start of the season after being diagnosed with bone stress in his right foot, but has been named to play his first game for 2023 against Brisbane on Saturday at Adelaide Hills.
“First and foremost, just getting back and playing is number one,” McKay said.
“But the fact we’re on the same page (is good) and we’ll get to a stage in the second half of the year when we sit down with my manager and sort it out.
“I can understand the talk and the noise around it, that’s (a journalist’s) job.
“But at the moment I’m just worried about playing footy and there’ll be a time when we sit down and nut through it all.
“With this foot injury, I haven’t had a chance to play so I’m just looking forward to that most.”
As a restricted free agent, North Melbourne have the ability to match any bid that comes in for McKay this off-season if he remains unsigned.
He has been named to face Brisbane in Gather Round.