Melbourne has been raised as a rival club that would be "not a bad fit" for Essendon defender Ben McKay in the wake of suggestions the ex-Kangaroos backman could be on the lookout for a new club.
McKay has three years to run on a contract he signed at the end of 2023 to join the Bombers as a free agent, departing North Melbourne on a deal known to be heavily front-ended.
The 28-year-old's contract and position on the fringes of Essendon's senior side see him presented as a "cut-price" trade target for rival clubs, with Melbourne viewed as one suitor that should consider a play for the maligned tall.
Speaking on The Hitout AFL Podcast, host Phoenix Trinidad sees McKay as a potential option to partner Dan Turner on the last line for the red and blue.
"We were just talking about who needs a key defender, and the Dees (are one)," Trinidad said.
"I think he's a good system player and (can thrive) if he's not the main key defender. Dan Turner is potentially going to be the next captain and is the general of the backline if (Jake) Lever's not there.
"That's actually not a bad fit."
Speaking on the podcast, Mitch Keating said clubs should be queueing up for McKay given the low price the Bombers would demand, coupled with McKay's assumed wage.
"There are heaps of clubs who would like a good key defender. They're not easy to attain," Keating said.
"I'm not saying he's going to be a game changer, but there's an upside there at a cut-price from both a salary and trade capital point of view.
"If Essendon are open to a suitor, he's not going to cost you much."
