Kangaroos gun’s trade saga flipped on its head as rival pulls out

There has reportedly been a twist in one of the AFL Trade Period’s biggest dominoes with one club forced to make a backflip.

Ben McKay of the Kangaroos. Photo by Michael Klein.

Essendon and Hawthorn are reportedly the last two clubs standing in the race to sign key Kangaroos defender Ben McKay.

Reports emerged on Wednesday the Swans have pulled out, despite having previously been linked with the North Melbourne restricted free agent.

AFL Media’s Callum Twomey wrote on Twitter on Wednesday the two clubs are both “very keen” to get their man.

“Sydney are no longer a part of that now,” he told AFL Media.

“It's down to two clubs. Ben McKay is set to stay in Victoria.”

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It was reported on Monday McKay had met with the Hawks and toured the team’s facilities.

The Swans, Bombers and Kangaroos were all reported to have made rich offers which would have triggered a first round draft pick as compensation for the Kangaroos.

Jon Ralph reported earlier this week Essendon are the front runners and are preparing an offer of up to six-years.

It comes after earlier rumours one club was considering making a seven-year contract offer.

It is a big twist in the saga after it was reported earlier this month the Swans were going hard for McKay while Demons star Brodie Grundy’s future remained uncertain.

However, Grundy is now widely reported to have informed Melbourne he wants to be traded to the Swans, despite meeting with Port Adelaide during the Demons’ finals campaign.

It’s time to say goodbye. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

It leaves McKay as one of the biggest dominoes yet to fall heading into the Trade Period.

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson recently warned clubs the Kangaroos will be “fighting to keep” McKay.

Clarkson reiterated the threat to match any offer for the restricted free agent and said even a potential top-five compensation pick would not be used to look at a key defender if he was to depart.

“We want him to stay at our footy club … we reckon his best seven years are going to be the next seven,” Clarkson said.

“If we don’t feel like we’re going to get the compensation necessary for him, then we’ll be fighting for him to stay.

“Take pick 2 or 3 for Ben McKay’s compensation … well, let me know if there’s a six-foot-five, six-foot-six fullback or centre half-back in the draft to replace him – there ain’t.”

McKay was taken with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2015 draft.