Ben McKinley

[HFF]

Greg Denham reported on SEN this morning that the Pies are 'sniffing' around McKinley for obvious reasons- out of contract and Victorian lad who has shown enormous potential.

Now, whilst many think we have a surplus of medium/small forwards lets look at this for a second.

Chasing McKinley will be alot cheaper than going for Kerr or Brown. We could most likely get him for a 2nd round pick, possibly throw in a player to sweeten the deal to.

Now the issue is where can we fit him into our forward line?

Adding McKinley to our team will enable us to move Didak and or Thomas/Davis to play further up the ground on a more permanent basis. This would be a wonderful opportunity to strengthen or midfield from within our playing list and will enable us to add the best young midfielder available with our first pick in the draft.

Think about having Medhurst and McKinley as two small/medium marking forwards working in tandem. Both very strong above their heads and equally as capable on ground level. I see McKinley's career as similar to that of Medhurst's.

He would easily be a walk in start in our best 22 and as I said the cost would be more beneficial as we would be strengthening our deficiencies far more than we would with Brown or Kerr.

So in essence we get to move Didak/Thomas/Davis to play bigger or more permanent roles in the midfield, add a promising young medium forward capable of kicking bags and keep our first round draft pick to draft a midfielder.

If this were to eventuate it would be a major step forward for our cub. I say this is the type of deal we should be looking at as our main priority.

 

[Optimax]

Denham is a moron.

McKinley would cost a first rounder easily, but that isnt the problem we have : Reid, Rusling, Anthony(will go back eventually i think), Medhurst, and McCaffer who can all play the same position on the field.

Why on earth would we even consider it, inside mid yes, tall defender yes medium sized lead up forward or any type of forward really no no way

 

[HFF]

Denham is a moron.

McKinley would cost a first rounder easily, but that isnt the problem we have : Reid, Rusling, Anthony(will go back eventually i think), Medhurst, and McCaffer who can all play the same position on the field.

Why on earth would we even consider it, inside mid yes, tall defender yes medium sized lead up forward or any type of forward really no no way

Firstly, I am quite confident in saying he will not command a first round pick. He will fetch a second + something else but not first. He is coming out of contract and therefore if he wants to return home he has WCE over a barrel.

Secondly, why wouldn't we consider him? The players you have mentioned bar Macaffer are all KPP. Not medium/small forwards. Also, Macaffer is unproven at senior level. McKinley has kicked 37 goals from 16 games, 10 less than Medhurst.

As I said, whilst we need an inside midfielder plus KP defender, McKinley could release Didak and Thomas to become the permanent midfielders with that touch of class and polish that we lack. Davis also to an extent. Also, with our first pick we will be able to draft another midfielder.

All in all, we would be addressing our most pressing needs from within the capabilities and talents of our own playing list with an A-grader in Didak and a future A-grader in Thomas. Throw in McKinley who is capable of kicking almost 50 goals a year as a medium forward and Medhurst also, accompanied by our talented young KP forwards and we have a very potent forward line for years to come and our midfield will have been given a major revamp with some class injection. Wll not have that sense of 'sameness' as is our current state.

Best possible deal our club could make this trade season that could set us up beautifully over the next few years where draft picks will be scarce.

 

[OniAu]

Denham is a moron.

McKinley would cost a first rounder easily, but that isnt the problem we have : Reid, Rusling, Anthony(will go back eventually i think), Medhurst, and McCaffer who can all play the same position on the field.

Why on earth would we even consider it, inside mid yes, tall defender yes medium sized lead up forward or any type of forward really no no way

agree with that , he is going to be a decent player. just our needs are elsewhere atm.

tbh i still think we are only two mids away from being a much better team. if we can get cousins and another decent inside mid. it makes our midfield look that much better.

 

[Optimax]

Firstly, I am quite confident in saying he will not command a first round pick. He will fetch a second + something else but not first. He is coming out of contract and therefore if he wants to return home he has WCE over a barrel.

Secondly, why wouldn't we consider him? The players you have mentioned bar Macaffer are all KPP. Not medium/small forwards. Also, Macaffer is unproven at senior level. McKinley has kicked 37 goals from 16 games, 10 less than Medhurst.

As I said, whilst we need an inside midfielder plus KP defender, McKinley could release Didak and Thomas to become the permanent midfielders with that touch of class and polish that we lack. Davis also to an extent. Also, with our first pick we will be able to draft another midfielder.

Ben is a lead up forward not a small crumbing forward, he'll kick some like that but he is your old fashioned lead up take a mark kick a goal forward.

He will possibly allow medhurst time up field (although medhurst is better at playing small), but wont help elsewhere with small forwards as he is a shorter ruz similar hieght to McCaffer (infact brent and ben played the same position in TAC football albeit differnt years)

Bens stats including his goals means the eagles will want a first rounder they are great stats for a full forward playing in a side with no midfield.

If ben leaves he will want either essendon (well at least the ben i know) or will end up at carlton as they want him to play as a foil to Fev.


McKinley and Collingwood are nto compatable fits, good player but will be surplus to needs

 

[MagpieGirl_13]

I didn't know who he was but I put him in my Dreamteam a few months ago.........
He scored a few points & actually plays games

 

[Vampire013]

The Carlton mob are drooling over this guy.
Realistically, I doubt if West Coast will want to let him go.
As the West Coast forward line is shit, the kid knows he will be in the best 22 and would be dumb to leave.
I doubt that he will be going anywhere. No way will West Coast let Carlton rape them again, so he wont be going to Carlton.
We don't need him as we have an abundance of forwards.
My bet is that West Coast will satisfy his demands.

 

[skeetz]

If his demand is that he live in Victoria, they cannot possibly satisfy him.
I really disagree with drafting or trading for players based on needs and positions. I want to see our club going after the best possible talent, no matter what position or body type the player has.

 

[Brent24]

The Carlton mob are drooling over this guy.
Realistically, I doubt if West Coast will want to let him go.
As the West Coast forward line is shit, the kid knows he will be in the best 22 and would be dumb to leave.
I doubt that he will be going anywhere. No way will West Coast let Carlton rape them again, so he wont be going to Carlton.
We don't need him as we have an abundance of forwards.
My bet is that West Coast will satisfy his demands.

He'd be in almost any sides best 22. Plus WCE don't really have a choice if he wants to go home.

 

[Mastablingbling]

Firstly, I am quite confident in saying he will not command a first round pick. He will fetch a second + something else but not first. He is coming out of contract and therefore if he wants to return home he has WCE over a barrel.
.

We are pretty well placed in the PSD. If Melbourne go Warnock, couldn't we just re-draft Mckinley?

Would cost a first rounder. He kicked 7 a couple of weeks ago, and has shown plenty in the games before - remember he hasn't even played a full season yet.

 

[Optimax]

We are pretty well placed in the PSD. If Melbourne go Warnock, couldn't we just re-draft Mckinley?

Would cost a first rounder. He kicked 7 a couple of weeks ago, and has shown plenty in the games before - remember he hasn't even played a full season yet.

He could say no and then sit out a year of football.

I think he will return to melborune tbh i think he has always wanted too, but it wont be to us.

 

[Mastablingbling]

He could say no and then sit out a year of football.

I think he will return to melborune tbh i think he has always wanted too, but it wont be to us.

Yeh, that would be a real boost for his career. Unless you've spoken to him privately, I doubt you know what he is thinking.

 

[Optimax]

Yeh, that would be a real boost for his career. Unless you've spoken to him privately, I doubt you know what he is thinking.

i didnt bsay sitting out a year was a good idea, but it is an option lol.

I havent spoken to ben since just before he got drafted:
but he was a massive essendon supporter as are his family,
he is very much a family man,
cried when you drafted him on draft day and not a vic club (re watch the video),
there have been rumours for sometime he has wanted to go home no he has shown what he can do there is alot of interest (bloody carlton)

the thing in your favour is he is also very loyal, good luck to him either way but im leaning towards him playing ina victorains team jumper next year. But hey i thought judd would end up in a collingwood jumper too

 

[HFF]

We are pretty well placed in the PSD. If Melbourne go Warnock, couldn't we just re-draft Mckinley?

Would cost a first rounder. He kicked 7 a couple of weeks ago, and has shown plenty in the games before - remember he hasn't even played a full season yet.

Whilst possible, clubs will not re-draft players that don't want to be there. Also, that is assuming Warnock goes into the PSD, which is quite likely.

He may be worth a late first round pick but you definitely wouldn't get one. You may get to upgrade your priority pick but that would be the maximum. I still think a second rounder will be sufficient enough if he wants to return home, which is a very likely scenario.

No doubt he possesses great talent which is why I would love to get him into our team. As I said, Kerr would cost far too much, likewise Brown. We may need more midfield talent but I think we have the players on our list to be able to step up into the midfield on a more regular basis. Think Thomas and Didak.

McKinley would allow this to occur and cover their major absenses in the forward line.

 

[Mastablingbling]

Whilst possible, clubs will not re-draft players that don't want to be there. Also, that is assuming Warnock goes into the PSD, which is quite likely.

He may be worth a late first round pick but you definitely wouldn't get one. You may get to upgrade your priority pick but that would be the maximum. I still think a second rounder will be sufficient enough if he wants to return home, which is a very likely scenario.

No doubt he possesses great talent which is why I would love to get him into our team. As I said, Kerr would cost far too much, likewise Brown. We may need more midfield talent but I think we have the players on our list to be able to step up into the midfield on a more regular basis. Think Thomas and Didak.

McKinley would allow this to occur and cover their major absenses in the forward line.

Yeh, I just can't see the Eagles passing on him in the PSD (in the event that a deal can't be struck). Our position on the ladder gives us very good bargaining power in such circumstances (unlike last year with the Judd deal) - the joys of failure

He's played 19 games and kicked 40 goals in one of the most dysfunctional forward lines you are likely to ever see. He will only get better you would think. Wouldn't be a too much to ask for a 1st rounder

Anyways, if Vic clubs want him (which I assume a few do) then he is going to be hot property.

I can't see a shred of evidence for him leaving - apart for the fact that he cried a few years ago. Probably the shock of having to move halfway across the world to play. Eagles won't let him go without a fight if that's what he wants

 

[Dave The Man]

Yeh, I just can't see the Eagles passing on him in the PSD (in the event that a deal can't be struck). Our position on the ladder gives us very good bargaining power in such circumstances (unlike last year with the Judd deal) - the joys of failure

He's played 19 games and kicked 40 goals in one of the most dysfunctional forward lines you are likely to ever see. He will only get better you would think. Wouldn't be a too much to ask for a 1st rounder

Anyways, if Vic clubs want him (which I assume a few do) then he is going to be hot property.

I can't see a shred of evidence for him leaving - apart for the fact that he cried a few years ago. Probably the shock of having to move halfway across the world to play. Eagles won't let him go without a fight if that's what he wants

I agree can't see him Leaving.

If he did I would love him in the Black and White.

But the Silly Season off AFL Footy has Begun with Trade and Draft Talk

 

[Frankie23]

Not Sure about this one...

At 184cm and 82 Kg he could fit into our team very nicley as a 'smaller' full foward type

he would only command a 2nd rounder AT BEST if he wants to come home or a 3rd rounder and Cox????

Our foward line would look really nice in 2-3 years time

HF- Thomas--Cloke--Reid
FF- Davis--Dawes--McKinley

then you have Rusling there as well, and IMO Reid will play more of a wingman ala Richo

 

[HFF]

Yeh, I just can't see the Eagles passing on him in the PSD (in the event that a deal can't be struck). Our position on the ladder gives us very good bargaining power in such circumstances (unlike last year with the Judd deal) - the joys of failure

He's played 19 games and kicked 40 goals in one of the most dysfunctional forward lines you are likely to ever see. He will only get better you would think. Wouldn't be a too much to ask for a 1st rounder

Anyways, if Vic clubs want him (which I assume a few do) then he is going to be hot property.

I can't see a shred of evidence for him leaving - apart for the fact that he cried a few years ago. Probably the shock of having to move halfway across the world to play. Eagles won't let him go without a fight if that's what he wants

Evidence at the moment is he has re-signed with WCE and he will become hot property if he is to move back home- which is very possible.

WCE will definitely ask for a first rounder but I don't think any club will part with one. No doubt WCE won't let him go without a fight but if he wants to return home I think a deal will be struck.

 

[Genesis67]

The story is that the Eagles have told him is a required player and that the only thing stopping an agreement being made is a large variance in the $$ consideration of both party's.

Mind u, WA media is shitty unreliable, so how true that is I dont know.

 

[Mastablingbling]

Not Sure about this one...

At 184cm and 82 Kg he could fit into our team very nicley as a 'smaller' full foward type

he would only command a 2nd rounder AT BEST if he wants to come home or a 3rd rounder and Cox????

Our foward line would look really nice in 2-3 years time

HF- Thomas--Cloke--Reid
FF- Davis--Dawes--McKinley

then you have Rusling there as well, and IMO Reid will play more of a wingman ala Richo

What are we going to do with a 3rd rounder? We don't need a pick that high. If you hadn't noticed, after this season, we will have spent 2 years stocking up on young guns (Masten, Ebert, Kennedy, Rich etc etc). We are building a new premiership team quicker than you can fart in my direction.

We already have a Cox too, I don't want to know about the one that can't get a game at the Pies.

 

[Mastablingbling]

Evidence at the moment is he has re-signed with WCE and he will become hot property if he is to move back home- which is very possible.

WCE will definitely ask for a first rounder but I don't think any club will part with one. No doubt WCE won't let him go without a fight but if he wants to return home I think a deal will be struck.

Yeh, your english is pretty hard to comprehend. That first sentence especially. You might have missed the part in my posts about us having pick #2 in the PSD.

 

[Optimax]

What are we going to do with a 3rd rounder? We don't need a pick that high. If you hadn't noticed, after this season, we will have spent 2 years stocking up on young guns (Masten, Ebert, Kennedy, Rich etc etc). We are building a new premiership team quicker than you can fart in my direction.

We already have a Cox too, I don't want to know about the one that can't get a game at the Pies.

It takes longer than two drafts go look at carlton mate, they had how many number 1 and number 2 picks again?

I agree you will get more than a 3rd rounder if ben leaves

 

[Palmer Stoat]

I don't believe we're chasing McKinley. It's more than likely just idle gossip relayed by a journo desperate to fill column space.

We have no possible need for McKinley, no matter how you shuffle around our best 22. It would be completely extravagant and pointless to pursue him.

It's a load of bollocks.

 

[Dave The Man]

What are we going to do with a 3rd rounder? We don't need a pick that high. If you hadn't noticed, after this season, we will have spent 2 years stocking up on young guns (Masten, Ebert, Kennedy, Rich etc etc). We are building a new premiership team quicker than you can fart in my direction.

We already have a Cox too, I don't want to know about the one that can't get a game at the Pies.

RICH? I don't see a Rich on the Eagles List?

 

[HFF]

Yeh, your english is pretty hard to comprehend. That first sentence especially. You might have missed the part in my posts about us having pick #2 in the PSD.

I apologise if my spelling mis-calculation offended you in any way.

So what if you have pick 2 in PSD? Melb have pick 1. At the moment there are no players heading into the PSD. Also, if Warnock doesn't want to go to Melbourne you won't be floating this same notion about re-drafting him via the PSD. He could also nominate for National Draft too. Did you consider that? Perhaps you will snap him up with pick 2.

Anyway, trade week will be interesting. Vic clubs will definitely be throwing plenty of $$$$ at him and the 'go home' factor is pivotal. A deal will be struck if he is to leave.