Essendon key defender Ben McKay says copping Bronx cheers from a minority of Essendon fans during round three against Port Adelaide was “not great”, but it only reinforced the opinions he values most as he bounced back to form with an excellent Gather Round performance against Melbourne.
McKay guaranteed he is harder on his himself than anyone else when it comes to judging his performance, and emphasised that “90 per cent” of Essendon fans have been unstinting in their support as he discussed how he handled the criticism directed at him following the Bombers’ first two rounds.
Xavier Duursma and Ben McKay lean on each other.Credit: Getty Images
“We’re human, right? So although we don’t see it [the criticism] too much, you do hear it one way or another,” McKay said.
“It reinforces what you focus on, and that’s your internal circle.
“I don’t hold any grudges – we are a character in a game – but it reinforces who is important in my circle. The club has been amazing.”
McKay was pragmatic and honest in describing what it was like to hear Bronx cheers directed at him when he took a mark early in the round three match at Marvel Stadium.
“You can hear it. I mean, [let’s] call a spade a spade, I don’t think it’s great when your own fans are Bronx cheering you,” McKay admitted.
“90 per cent of the fans are great, but there are always that 10 per cent that I wouldn’t call them a supporter if they are going to Bronx cheer your own player.
“That’s part of the game. I get that, but we want the fans to support the boys through thick and thin – and they have. They have been really good.”
Bombers key defender McKay copped criticism at the start of the season but focused on improving.Credit: Getty Images
Quickly forgotten in the early part of the season was that McKay had finished sixth in the club best and fairest in his first season at the Bombers. Even he would admit he was below-par against the Crows. But he looked more comfortable alongside Jordan Ridley and Zach Reid against Port Adelaide and was among the Bombers’ best against Melbourne, particularly as the Demons dominated the centre clearances.
His opponent, Jacob van Rooyen, was held scoreless, taking just one mark in his seven-possession game. McKay’s increased connection with the back six was obvious when he celebrated teammate Mason Redman’s match-sealing goal.
“I feel very loved and supported – it’s footy,” McKay said.
“You have your ups and downs. I was happy to contribute.”
McKay dishes off a handball during the Bombers’ Gather Round clash with Melbourne.Credit: Getty Images
Brad Scott said McKay’s performance was down to the big man and his effort, saying he only reinforced to everyone that the coaches’ job wasn’t to be a critic, it is “to coach and to support and to help”.
“That doesn’t mean we don’t give constructive feedback – and we don’t sweep things under the carpet – but our job is to help them, not to just criticise them,” Scott said.
It is an approach that gets the best out of McKay, who plays his 100th game in a fortnight.
“Scotty is a straight shooter, but he can put his arm around and support you. I think he finds the balance of identifying a few things to work on, but he never makes you forget what you are good at,” McKay explained.
“You can really tell who is important, and who cares about you in the tough moments, and Scotty has been nothing but that, and I have nothing but respect for him.
“He finds the line of telling you what you need to hear, but also wrapping his arms around you. He will always push me, and I will always be my hardest critic, but he finds the balance between challenging and support better than anyone.”
McKay has been on-hand to support his twin brother Harry after the Coleman medallist took time off for personal issues. Harry made his return to the Carlton senior side on Saturday in the earlier game at Adelaide Oval, only for his day to be cut short when he was concussed. The pair spoke on a podcast earlier in the week, where Harry said he had been overwhelmed with the support received from the club and the football community.
“I am very proud of him,” Ben said of his brother. “He was vulnerable but very proud to speak about his mental wellbeing. 99 per cent of the community will have some type of mental challenge, and it is just that Harry is in the public eye. We are very proud of him. I think it is one thing to, say, speak about it, and speak to people, but another thing to do it. I hope his head is alright from [the knock] today. I love him very much.”
There is no doubting Scott’s commitment to his defender – who played under him at North Melbourne – will not waver.
“The irony is when you need the support often it’s not there, but when things are going really well, there is no shortage of support,” Scott said.
“We got him into our club for a reason. It’s been a deficiency for a long time, and he was a really important part of our win.”
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