Ben ready to make impact
NORTH Melbourne d defender Ben McKay has set himself for a breakout seas season after signing a two- two two-year year cont contract extension with the club club.
McKay wasn wasn’t t out of contract until the end of 2019 and last year r sat behind Robbie Tarrant,Tarrant Tarrant, Sc Scott Thompson and Majak Daw in the backline pecking order order.
But with Thompson suspended d for Round 1 and Daw recovering from his injuries injuries, there is an opportunity for McKay to show the footy world what he already believes — that he belongs belongs.
“My My first three years were a bit t below below- below-par, par, par by my standard standard, not playing as many games as I I’d d like, like like,” ” McKay said. ““But But in the next three e years hopefully I can really make an impact and start showing people what I I’m m capable of. of of.” ”
McKay McKay, the twin brother of Carlton Carlton’s s Harry and taken with the e 21st pick in the 2015 draft draft, made his debut in 2017 but couldn couldn’t t break through for a senior appearance in 2018 2018. However However, he made progress in the second- se second-tier tier competition as a defen defender capable e of going forward forward.
“I I don don’t t like to put pressure on myself myself, but I I’m m one of those guys who thinks ahead and I really wan want ntn to start making an impact at AFL level,” level, he said. “It It does come down to opportunity opportunity, but I I’ve ve got to focus on what I can do and that that’s s not leaving any stone unturned, taking the g game on and not being afraid to mamake mistakes and going for it it.
“Whether Whether that opportunity comes omes early y o or late in the year, it’s jus jusst just st about ma mmamakingaking the most of it if I get gget it. it it.” ”
McKay has locked horns with Ben Brown at Arden Street over pre- pre pre-season season and bulked up furth further to 102kg after following Tarrant around the weights room room.
“Last Last year in the VFL I took the best forward … it it’s s a good feeling knowing the club want you doing doingg that that. It It’s s a challenge and I I’m m always up for the challenge challenge, challenge,” ” he said said. “I’d Id love to take that role on in the AFL alongside oour our other defenders defenders. That That’s s whwhat drives me and excites me me.
“Obviously Obviously at AFL level there’s no easy opponent opponent, bbut I want to take the best best. best.” ”
McKay said he had “never never thought about playing anywhere else” else else”, , instead wanting to back himself in to make it at the Kangaroos Kangaroos. ““A A lot of guys can sulk and drop their head when things don don’t t go their way way, but it was a good character aracter te teest test to be po positive and upbbeat upbeat and hhopefully hopefully I reap the rewardsards,” he said.