If Essendon is open to parting ways with contracted key defender Ben McKay, who would be the leading suitors for his services?
At his best, McKay is a lockdown defender, but has also shown strong traits in the ruck when used sparingly by Dean Solomon during his Bombers interim tenure.
The 2015 draftee was a big name to cross to Essendon after eight years at North Melbourne, signing a lucrative contract that was heavily front-loaded.
But now the Bombers are understood to be considering a breakup with McKay, who is contracted until the end of 2029.
New coach Mark McVeigh will play a strong role in the exit meetings as well as in McKay's future.
It's understood that delisting McKay is an option, whereas Essendon would prefer a trade to help add more draft capital to its hand, which includes Pick 1.
Melbourne
The Demons are a much-improved club under Steven King, playing with freedom and a unity that has troubled every side in the competition.
But where are their holes?
In the Wildcard Round loss to Carlton, without Jake Lever, Melbourne's defence looked rudderless, and Daniel Turner was no match for Harry McKay.
Would Ben McKay help alleviate the pressure placed on Turner and Lever?
Swingman Tom McDonald has retired, Steven May departed this year, and King is set on playing Harrison Petty inside 50.
Port Adelaide
The Power have Aliir Aliir and Esava Ratugolea, but after that, their key defensive stocks are slim.
Josh Carr needs a lockdown defender, and with the intercept traits of Aliir and Ratugolea, the trio would work nicely together (on paper).
Port Adelaide previously held interest in McKay when he became a restricted free agent before joining the Bombers.
Could that interest be revived?
Making things slightly complicated is Dougie Cochrane's looming arrival, which the Bombers could make a bid on with Pick 1, and what the Power needs to land the talented draft prospect.
Collingwood
Craig McRae's defence has largely been undermanned for the majority of the 2026 campaign, but somehow did enough to remain in contests a lot longer than many pundits' first predictions.
But with a lack of confidence in captain Darcy Moore's body and Jeremy Howe set to be managed more so next year, given he is expected to pen a one-year deal, Collingwood's defence needs help.
Billy Frampton held up surprisingly; he should've been included in the All-Australian squad.
But when Brayden Maynard is playing on key forwards, and the use of Noah Howes and Liam Puncher is McRae's only go-to to hinder opposition talls, there's a clear need inside the defensive 50.
Adelaide
The Crows could put their hand up only because they could lose a pair of key defenders in the upcoming off-season.
Jordon Butts is tipped to return to Victoria and join the Western Bulldogs in search of more senior opportunities, while Nick Murray is being hunted by North Melbourne, albeit he is contracted.
Adelaide can hold Murray to his contract, but would fear keeping a player against his will if the Kangaroos win him over.
Enter McKay, who can play in a similar mould to Butts and Murray.
He'd pair nicely with attacking interceptors Mark Keane and Josh Worrell, while he or James Borlase would spearhead the defence.
Western Bulldogs
The aforementioned Bulldogs are heavily into Crows free agent Jordon Butts, but could they also look at Ben McKay?
Luke Beveridge's list is stacked in all parts of the ground, except the two key anchors in defence.
James O'Donnell has emerged as a gun despite starting his professional career as a cricketer, while Buku Khamis and Rory Lobb have battled impressively despite being undersized or out-strengthened on many occasions this year.
The Bulldogs are primed for a tilt at the premiership, and need a couple of pieces to further push that agenda.
West Coast
The Eagles still need players as they continue on their rebuild.
Defensively, a player like McKay would slot into the backline in a bid to prevent opposition clubs from scoring at will.
West Coast ranks 16th for points against, slightly ahead of Richmond and Essendon.
Sandy Brock, Tylar Young and Rhett Bazzo have all held their own at times, but they need help.
