North Melbourne key defender Ben McKay has officially informed the club of his intentions to explore free agency opportunities, choosing Essendon as his preferred destination.
The 25-year-old has been linked to both the Bombers and Hawthorn, but has chosen the Hangar.
However, McKay is a restricted free agent, meaning the Kangaroos still have the chance to retain his services.
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North Melbourne list manager Brady Rawlings confirmed the club is exploring its options as the trade period looms.
"Given Ben is a restricted free agent, we have the option to match any contract that's on offer to him," Rawlings said in a North Melbourne statement on Friday.
Rawlings remained strong on the fact that the Kangaroos will make decisions that benefit their club's future success plans.
"The official start of the free agency period is still a couple of weeks away so we've got time to assess our options and make a decision in the best interests of the North Melbourne Football Club," he said.
"We understand that free agency is part of football."
The unsurprising decision comes after McKay attracted interest from several clubs back in August, also coming with a big price tag.
https://twitter.com/NMFCOfficial/status/1705088105932583088
Leading AFL journalist Damien Barrett broke down the likely deal, insisting the Kangaroos will play hard ball.
"From a North Melbourne perspective, they just want the new contract that he gets … to be of a nature that will allow them the draft pick immediately after their own in the next national draft. It would allow them to get picks two and three," Barrett said.
McKay won just eight games from his 71 at Arden Street, with Matthew Lloyd previously urging the luckless defender to seek a more successful club to see out his career.
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"You've got Tarryn Thomas and (Ben) McKay, they're weighing up whether they stay or go. You'd probably say 'I'm going'," Lloyd said on Nine's Footy Classified in August.
The AFL trade period begins on Monday October 9, finishing on Wednesday October 18.
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