The defender of being Ben McKay responds to his critics and the Bronx applause of the fans of the bombers; Melbourne Demons; Max Gawn; Simon Goodwin; Harry McKay; Carlton Blues; Brad Scott

Quickly forgotten in the first part of the season it was that McKay had arrived sixth in the best and more right club in his first season at the Bombers. He too would admit that he was below the part against the crows. But he seemed more comfortable alongside Jordan Ridley and Zach Reid against Port Adelaide and was among the best of the bombers against Melbourne, in particular while the demons dominated the central authorizations.

His opponent, Jacob Van Rooyen, was held without score, taking only a sign in his match to seven people. The increase in McKay’s connection with the six later was obvious when he celebrated the team of sealing teammate Mason Redman.

“I feel much loved and supported – it’s football,” McKay said.

“You have your ups and downs. I was happy to contribute.”

Brad Scott said that McKay’s performance depended on the great man and his effort, saying that he only strengthened to everyone that the work of the coaches was not to be a critic, it is “to train and support and help”.

“This does not mean that we do not give constructive feedback – and we do not sweep things under the carpet – but our task is to help them, not only to criticize them,” said Scott.

It is an approach that gets the best from McKay, who plays his hundredth game in two weeks.

“Scotty is a direct shooter, but it can put your arm and support you. I think you find the balance of identifying some things to work on, but it never makes you forget what you are good in,” McKay explained.

“You can really say who is important and who takes care of you in difficult times, and Scotty was nothing more than that, and I have nothing but respect for him.

“Find the line to tell you what you need to hear, but also by wrapping your arms around you. It will always push me and I will always be my most difficult critic, but finds the balance between demanding and support better than anyone else.”

Loading

McKay was at hand to support his twin brother Harry after the Coleman medal took a break for personal issues. Harry returned to the senior team of Carlton on Saturday in the previous match in Adelaide Oval, only for his day to be interrupted when he was moving. The couple spoke of a podcast at the beginning of the week, in which Harry said he had been overwhelmed by the support received by the club and the football community.

“I am very proud of him,” he said well of his brother. “He was vulnerable but very proud to talk about his mental well -being. Ninety -nine percent of the community will have some kind of mental challenge, and it is only that Harry is under the eyes of the public. We are very proud of him. I think it is something that you love him a lot.

There is no doubt that Scott’s commitment for his defender – who played under him from North Melbourne – will not falter.

“The irony is when you need the support often not there, but when things are going really well, there is no support deficiency,” said Scott.

“We brought him to our club for a reason. It was a deficiency for a long time and it was a really important part of our victory.”

Keep updated with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.