The McKay twins Ben and Harry are set to play each other at AFL level for the first time

There’s been so many false starts all sorts of crazy rumours began but the match-up that has been brewing since 2015 should happen this Sunday.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 03: Harry McKay of the Blues and Ben McKay of the Bombers pose during an AFL media opportunity at Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 03, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Carlton forward Harry McKay conceded he may be a bit “cautious” at training this week just to ensure that after a host of false starts he finally gets get take on his twin brother for the first time at AFL level.

Just by turning up to the MCG for a photo shoot on Monday Harry and his brother, Essendon defender Ben, dispelled the wacky and irreverent online conspiracy theory that that the pair were the same person given the amount of missed chances to go head-to-head.

Injury, to one or the other, has conspired to prevent them taking to the same field at the same time since they were drafted to different clubs, Harry to the Blues and Ben to North Melbourne, in 2015.

But on Sunday there could be as many as 90,000 witnesses to the first happening, with the likelihood that not only will they be on the same field, they could be playing on each other at a packed MCG.

“If ever there was a week to be a bit cautious (at training), it might be this week,” Harry said on Monday, standing next to his brother at the ground.

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“I was watching the last couple of minutes of Ben’s game (against Gold Coast on Sunday) and had my fingers crossed nothing happened.”

Ben signalled his intent to stand his brother at least for some part of the clash which has already sold out with the Bombers in second on the ladder, despite a loss to the Suns, and Carlton fifth after taking down Port Adelaide last Thursday.

The only other potential spanner in the works is the presence of Blues star Charlie Curnow, who could demand big Ben’s attention.

Although Harry did suggest to his brother that Curnow was “too good for you” in a signal of the banter that could flow all week.

“It’s a 50-50 percentage of whether it’s Harry or Charlie,” Ben said.

“Obviously the modern day you’re going to spend time on everyone, so gone are the days where it’s purely a one-on-one match-up.

“But we’ll definitely be spending some time on each other.”

While it will be the first time they pair have lined up against each other in the AFL, they did play a single game in the second-tier VFL in the early days of their careers.

It could make for some lighter moments, but the intensity demanded for the contest will ensure neither get caught up in their own battle.

“There’ll definitely be an element of backyard footy when Ben and I line up on each other,” Harry said.

“But in saying that, as soon as the ball’s bounced, there’ll be so much to focus on and so much going on with the game.”

Ben and Harry McKay with mum Tracey

A family dinner during the week could be the best way to get the barbs out of the way beforehand, but the occasion of the match still looms as a big one for the entire McKay family.

“There might be a dinner maybe mid-week,” Ben said.

“I think they’re (family) excited, nervous - a bit of everything. Mum and Dad will probably enjoy the limelight a little bit.”

Originally published as The McKay twins Ben and Harry are set to play each other at AFL level for the first time