Essendon legend James Hird has floated a dramatic team change he thinks could bolster the confidence of out-of-form defender Ben McKay.
McKay is barely midway through a monster contract with the Bombers which is said to be worth about $5 million over its entirety, and made him the AFL‘s highest paid player in its first season in 2024.
The deal was heavily front-ended and McKay is now thought to be earning around $1m or less up until it expires at the end of 2029, but the huge salary still comes with high expectations.
READ MORE: ‘Cheap shot’ could cost star his Origin comeback
READ MORE: Piastri’s last-lap heroics hands him podium place in Miami
READ MORE: ‘Pretty special’: Sam Kerr breaks Chelsea scoring record
The key back has failed to meet those expectations as his on-field form flounders with that of his team, which is undoubtedly now the worst in the competition. McKay was booed by Bombers fans during a heavy loss to Brisbane on Saturday.
So far this season the Brad Scott-coached Bombers are worst in the AFL for points against (115.6), uncontested marks against, inside 50s against, and marks inside 50 against.
They once again looked all at sea during a 64-point loss to Brisbane on Saturday.
Ben McKay of the Bombers marks the ball. Getty
“I just want them to pick a style defensively,” AFL great Jimmy Bartel said on Nine’s Footy Furnace.
Prior to that game, intel from the Lions changerooms was leaked which listed strengths and weaknesses of all Essendon players.
Next to McKay’s name was simply written “low confidence”, and the strengths column was left blank.
Hird says the backman’s lack of confidence is evident, but believes a drastic positional switch could bring McKay back to life.
“It’s unacceptable, really,” Hird said of Essendon’s defence on Footy Furnace.
“Ben McKay has been harshly criticised, by his own (Essendon) fans and by everyone in the media.
“Firstly, Ben McKay is not that bad a player. Ben has a lot of talent, he is a very good footballer lacking a lot of confidence, and he is lacking confidence in his decision making.
Saad El-Hawli and Ben McKay of the Bombers leave the field. Getty
“He has become reactive, he’s not sure should he go there, there. I think underlines not just Ben McKay, but the system you’re talking about, and the system is actually allowing him to be exposed.
“It’s really upsetting for him, it’s upsetting for his family.
“Is he playing his best football? No, but I think it’s a result of the system he’s in not providing him the protection it needs to provide.
“I would change the dynamic on Ben McKay, I’d actually put him up forward for a couple of weeks. Because the first thing you lose as a defender is your first instinct, to either punch or mark the ball.
“Put him up forward, give him a chance to fly at the ball, get some confidence back, and then put him down back because at the moment I don’t see him getting his confidence back when the ball is coming in 60 times a game.
“But more important for Essendon, set up a defensive structure that stops the uncontested mark and allows your defence to actually defend.”
The one-win Bombers travel to Sydney to face the Giants in round nine.