AFL

Bombers drop McKay again as Solomon makes a statement

By Justin Chadwick

Jul 10, 2026

Ben McKay of Essendon — Ben McKay has been dropped for Essendon's match against reigning premiers Brisbane at the Gabba. -AAP Image

Essendon interim Dean Solomon has swung the axe following last week's flop against St Kilda, dropping Ben McKay among five changes to his squad.

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McKay, Will Setterfield, Nik Cox and Saad El-Hawli have all been dropped for Sunday's clash with Brisbane at the Gabba in the wake of last week's 67-point loss to St Kilda.

Jordan Ridley, who has been linked with a move to Brisbane at the end of the season, has been managed after he pulled up sore.

McKay is the biggest name to be axed given Solomon had expressed high hopes of the key backman thriving as a forward.

The 28-year-old former Kangaroo showed plenty of promise with 2.2 and two contested marks in the round 13 loss to Carlton.

But with just 6.7 to his name from the past five matches - including only 1.0 from five disposals against St Kilda - McKay has been dropped again.

Archie Roberts is back after making a quicker-than-expected return from a dislocated shoulder, while Angus Clarke, Harrison Jones, Max Kondogiannis and Lachlan Blakiston are the other inclusions for the last-placed Bombers (1-15).

Brisbane have been bolstered by the return of co-captain Hugh McCluggage and veteran Dayne Zorko, but Darcy Gardiner will miss four to six weeks with a hamstring injury.

The Western Bulldogs have made five changes for Sunday's meeting with West Coast at Marvel Stadium, with coach Luke Beveridge keeping faith in ruckman Tim English.

Nick Coffield (concussion), Connor Budarick (ankle) and Ryley Sanders (hand) will miss through injury, while Lachie McNeil and Will Lewis were dropped.

Bailey Williams returns from injury, while Luke Cleary, Sam Davidson, Rhylee West and Jedd Busslinger were also called up.

English has been named despite struggling in the ruck and down back in last week's 35-point loss to Sydney.

West Coast have named an unchanged squad, despite reports key defender Rhett Bazzo is in doubt with illness.

Richmond goalsneak Zane Peucker, taken with pick No.31 in last year's national draft, has been named for his AFL debut in Sunday's clash with Melbourne.

Dion Prestia (hamstring) and Sam Grlj are back, but Jack Ross (concussion), Jayden Short (corked quad) and Steely Green (omitted) go out.

The Demons have gone in unchanged.