“These things take time”: McKay loving life at Essendon, calls for patience on developing defence
The start to Ben McKay’s career at Essendon has been stellar.
The 26-year-old completed the move to the Bombers from North Melbourne over the off-season and has played a major role in solidifying Essendon’s back six, driving them along to a strong 3-2 start.
Playing as the deepest key defender, McKay has seen career high numbers in disposals at 13.6 per game, and intercept possessions at 8.8. He is also averaging 5.2 spoils per game.
After flourishing in his early days, McKay has loved his time at The Hangar, while still maintaining a lot of respect for his former club.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“I don’t want to compare too much, I loved my time at North and really cherished every moment, I wish them nothing but the best.
“In terms of the locker room it’s very similar, you’re going to have your introverts and your extroverts.
“All in all at Essendon, the coaching staff, the players, the Dons supporters and the support we get as players is awesome.
“I don’t want to compare too much but there’s 6 to 10 guys like Kyle Langford, Zach (Reid), Peter Wright, Andy (McGrath), 'Rids' (Jordan Ridley), that are really mature on and off the field.
“That was a big reason why I chose Essendon. I can see myself playing five, six, seven years with those guys."
With a number of injuries through the back half, Essendon’s starting back six has taken time to gel.
The Bombers have conceded the fifth most points across the season so far, while allowing the fourth most scoring shots. Despite the concerns, it has not been a worry for McKay.
“These things take time,” he said.
“It’s probably been a little bit frustrating having Ridley not available and (Zach) Reid with his hamstring injury but the guys down there are a pleasure to work with.
“It’s going to take months and months really, I think we haven’t perfected anything yet, but I’m really impressed on how we have started that.”
In the Bombers’ strong win over the Western Bulldogs last weekend, McKay played a more advanced role, collecting a season-high 23 per cent of his disposals in the forward half, with six of his 13 touches coming outside the back 50.
With credit to Essendon’s defensive coach Ben Jacobs, McKay noted that the Bombers have put a focus on defending higher up the ground.
“It’s always a balance of being assertive in the front half of the ground and getting back to your opponent and defending really hard so that’s a balance we’ve tried to get right,” McKay continued.
“(Defending up the ground) personally, as a back six and the rest of the group, has been a bit of a focus, on finding that balance of being really hard to play against and come forward to defend while also finding the right balance to get back and defend really hard.
“It’s not perfect but Ben Jacobs and all the coaches have been really clear that we want to play a front half game but also we need to defend.”
McKay was also quick to note the success of Essendon’s young guns, particularly after strong performances across the board against the Dogs.
“(Sam Durham) missed the week before and came in and hardly missed a beat. I thought he was awesome on the night”, he noted.
“Same as Jye (Caldwell). Jye has been someone who has really impressed me with his work ethic and appetite for the contest, has been first class.
“The one percent players really stood out for me on the ground live. Harrison Jones, for a big guy doing run down tackles, Xavier Duursma, he’s been doing it all year.
“It was really impressive on the night.”
McKay and the Bombers travel to Adelaide to take on the Crows this Friday night.