My recollection was that McKay's kicking yips reached a peak in 2023 when he was kicking snaps for set shots directly in front but resolved in 2024 when he returned to more conventional approach to set shots. His goals/behinds for 2023 (29.29) and 2024 (49.21) would seem to support that. Was also in the All-Australian squad in 2024.

A genuine forward / 2nd ruck who would allow JVR to be full-time forward and Petty to shift back in the post TMac / May / Lever years seems worth considering.

19 minutes ago, speed demon said:

My recollection was that McKay's kicking yips reached a peak in 2023 when he was kicking snaps for set shots directly in front but resolved in 2024 when he returned to more conventional approach to set shots. His goals/behinds for 2023 (29.29) and 2024 (49.21) would seem to support that. Was also in the All-Australian squad in 2024.

A genuine forward / 2nd ruck who would allow JVR to be full-time forward and Petty to shift back in the post TMac / May / Lever years seems worth considering.

It's all about the cost and also if the Jackson trade is actually in play or not.

Our first priority is getting Kozzy signed up and he can have almost whatever he wants...

The next will be seeing if Jackson does want to come back to Melbourne and if so, how many picks and salary it takes to get him.

If the Jackson thing falls through, then we need to be looking at alternatives at the right price and McKay is probably going to be the best option for a KPF/2nd ruck we will find.

Petty, JVR and Fritsch is a decent tall forward combination and I think Jefferson could play a role with Petty and JVR as partners taking the key backs.

We need to be continuing to pursue Wade Derksen at GWS who looks like he's having a good VFL year and is held out of the seniors by Taylor and Buckley. Lever, Turner, Derksen and Adams is a possible KB solution set.

Jackson is the only one I'm interested in, he solves the Max succession nicely and can function well in the transition. I can't see how we can get him without losing some other high value players. Kossie for Jackson doesn't improve us overall. I'd rather have Kossie and a workmanlike ruck.

Edited May 28May 28 by old55

McKay comes with too much baggage. Not least of which is continuing concussion issues. His last few concussions seem to have come from very incidental contact IMO. I would be more worried about his health.

20 hours ago, GS_1905 said:

if we put 2026 first rounder on the table and Blues coughed up $250K of his salary, then i think that would be a fair trade. Maybe throw in this years 2nd rounder for good measure.

Surely you are joking here? McKay is worth 2 first rounders

I’m surprised at just how many are either underrating McKay or presuming that we don’t need a forward of his type because we’ve had a good 5-6 week patch

Yes good ball movement and clean kicks inside 50 are the most important factors when it comes to scoring, but there will be games (particularly finals) where you won’t have the luxury of efficient entries or shots at goal, and will need your forwards to stand up and take a contested mark or a clutch set shot

And for that you need A grade talent in your fwd half, and if that talent is 2m tall all the better. At the moment we only have Kozzy who fits the bill (although Melksham has been very good too). That’s no disrespect to our other fwds, but it’s clearly an area where we have less ‘talent’ than other teams

Anyway, it’s probably all academic because I don’t see it happening, but I’d jump on him in a heartbeat

1 minute ago, demoncat said:

I’m surprised at just how many are either underrating McKay or presuming that we don’t need a forward of his type because we’ve had a good 5-6 week patch

Yes good ball movement and clean kicks inside 50 are the most important factors when it comes to scoring, but there will be games (particularly finals) where you won’t have the luxury of efficient entries or shots at goal, and will need your forwards to stand up and take a contested mark or a clutch set shot

And for that you need A grade talent in your fwd half, and if that talent is 2m tall all the better. At the moment we only have Kozzy who fits the bill (although Melksham has been very good too). That’s no disrespect to our other fwds, but it’s clearly an area where we have less ‘talent’ than other teams

Anyway, it’s probably all academic because I don’t see it happening, but I’d jump on him in a heartbeat

I’d like to snare Jackson as the priority, he’s a better age profile for our list and can work with and take over from Max. Both would be ideal but we’d have to give up quality players to pull that off.

3 hours ago, Demons11 said:

Surely you are joking here? McKay is worth 2 first rounders

What i value him matters very little. Ask yourself this. Is he worth more or less than Clarry? The media and trade pundits only 4 weeks ago rated Clarry as zero trade value (due to salary and form) aka it was a salary dump.

Why should McKay be any different? He is on similar coin and is not in the top 30 goal kickers in the league - he is out of form, has a suspect goal kicking action that buckles under pressure.

Granted he is a fantastic contested mark and a great back-up ruck, but that alone doesn't constitute 2 first rounders with that salary.

So I stand behind what I said based on how the media have assessed Clarry's trade value. If they want picks in the trade, they have to take on some of that salary.

Edited May 29May 29 by GS_1905

i think there's a big difference between 'two first round picks' and 'two first round picks'

is harry worth pick 5 and pick 15? no

pick 14 and pick 18? possibly - certainly with the way the medja is talking down this draft, you'd think that he would be more valuable to a team that has the ability to trade two picks of that value

Edited May 29May 29 by whatwhat say what

5 hours ago, old55 said:

Petty, JVR and Fritsch is a decent tall forward combination and I think Jefferson could play a role with Petty and JVR as partners taking the key backs.

We need to be continuing to pursue Wade Derksen at GWS who looks like he's having a good VFL year and is held out of the seniors by Taylor and Buckley. Lever, Turner, Derksen and Adams is a possible KB solution set.

Jackson is the only one I'm interested in, he solves the Max succession nicely and can function well in the transition. I can't see how we can get him without losing some other high value players. Kossie for Jackson doesn't improve us overall. I'd rather have Kossie and a workmanlike ruck.

Completely agree with the cheaper Derksen (and Aleer), and I'd also hope we're targeting a midfielder with good ball use.

We don't need to spend big on a KPF IMO.

1 minute ago, Adam The God said:

Completely agree with the cheaper Derksen (and Aleer), and I'd also hope we're targeting a midfielder with good ball use.

We don't need to spend big on a KPF IMO.

some talk that the aints are offering leek aleer $800k a year over 5 years

big money for a bloke who is yet to play 15 afl games

McKay and Walsh talk, Blues trying to clear space to keep TDK? Or just fix their list

2 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

some talk that the aints are offering leek aleer $800k a year over 5 years

big money for a bloke who is yet to play 15 afl games

Bloody St Kilda inflating wages all over the shop.

Edited May 29May 29 by Adam The God

4 minutes ago, roy11 said:

McKay and Walsh talk, Blues trying to clear space to keep TDK? Or just fix their list

The Blues can’t match the Saints offer nor should they. It’s massive overs for a guy that isn’t consistently good.

On 28/05/2025 at 13:58, Fat Tony said:

Taylor Walker would be a better option given the cost.

A BIG YES from me for 2 years with optional third!

37 minutes ago, picket fence said:

A BIG YES from me for 2 years with optional third!

fcs, picket, he's nearly as old as od!

20 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

fcs, picket, he's nearly as old as od!

BUT can play and has some mongrel. Who would you play A.J or Tex??

Tex would have been great a few years ago. I think he’s too close to the end now to trade him in

I trade for Tex………….purely for him to be Lever’s boot studder and premiership medallion shiner

Curnow as well?

And Walsh?

Wowweeee

there is close to zero chance that carlton trade curnow. there would be riots on Lygon street

48 minutes ago, adonski said:

LOL. Aye, right you are.

Whatever happened to North Melbourne's famed war chest? Don't tell me they pißed it all away on Clarko?

On 29/05/2025 at 17:56, picket fence said:

BUT can play and has some mongrel. Who would you play A.J or Tex??

Tex is cooked!