#32 - Ben McKay

Who’s the backline coach? They must be doing a poor job if they cant get the back 6 to function like a well oiled machine

Until that happens we aren’t going anywhere. Still are leaking goals. Points against still bottoms 4-6. How many years before this is ever fixed.

Such a shame there is no Lou’ handball for Mckay to go on and add some more shame and embarassment onto us

player thats barely got on the park is suddenly going to be fit, yeewwww

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It’s a backline that’s had the likes of Heppell, Redman, Kelly & Lav in it. Absolute elite talent right there.

Add the kicking ability of McGrath, the handball skills of McKay and Ridleys appetite for the contest and is clear that Norm Smith wouldnt stand a chance

The backline was functioning well eariler in the season tho not sure what has happened

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Ridley returned

Not just back 6. Team defence. Structures.

Is strange actually, individually our backline are all good players, but they have been shithouse this year. I’d actually say other than McKay (other than last night) laverde has been our most consistent. Redman and Ridley dropped off a cliff, McGrath his usual self.

On McKay last night, i feel as though he mixed up the jumpers once or twice under pressure. One side of that crows jumper looks similar to black with a red sash side on.

Confidence is an area the McKay brothers seem to run hot/cold

He had a howler, but he has been good this year for the most part. Not one big forward has got ahold of us.

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Every week our back 6 give up some of the softest goals you will see.
Every single week.

Ridley doesnt look like he wants any part of body contact once the ball hits the ground.
Mckay has been playing stoned since Ridley has been back.
Mcgrath picks and chooses when to apply effort.

Laverde has been the only one giving a consistent effort week in week out.
I also dont see how Reid fixes anything.
He is another tall slow player who will get torched as soon as the ball hits the ground, which is the area where we leak goals every single game.

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For the most part they seem unsure of how they should be playing. Particularly when the ball hits the deck and things get a bit chaotic.

Haha - this.

Will go down in Essendon history as one of the worst big money trades the club has done behind Shiel.

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Highest paid player in the AFL.

If Shiel has shown us anything this year, it’s that 6 years is a really, really, really long time.

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Haven’t learnt our lesson evidently. Can’t wait to hear McGrath has hit his extra year trigger in 2026

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Parish has six as well, even though we pretended it was five.