As Carlton gear up to take on Essendon at the MCG this King's Birthday Eve, footy fans are buzzing about the potential face-off between twin brothers Harry and Ben McKay.
The game, slated for a 7:20pm start, is set to draw a bumper crowd of 90,000, making it one of the biggest showdowns between these old foes in recent memory.
Carlton coach Michael Voss and Essendon coach Brad Scott have both had their say on the unique sibling stoush. Voss, keeping things light, joked about the likelihood of the twins going head-to-head.
"Yeah, I presume so... a bit like-for-like isn't it," he chuckled.
"It'll be a nice bit of by-play off to the side. They've sort of stepped into it and embraced it.
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)
"It'll be a good contest, he's been in some really good form, Ben. I'm sure Harry's looking forward to it."
Drawing from his own experience of playing against his brother Brett, Voss noted that while such matchups can feel personal, it's vital for players to stay focused on the team.
"You've got to make sure the brothers that matter are the ones beside you," he said.
"You've got to deal with Mum afterwards, but if you can get through that on Monday, you generally come out the other side okay."
In contrast,ย Scott played more of a straight bat, acknowledging the strategic elements at play.
"At times, I think it's almost certain," Scott said when asked if Ben would line up on Harry.
"We've got a defensive system and Carlton have got an offensive system. It'll most likely depend on where on the ground Harry sets up... because we like Ben in certain spots."
This match marks the first time the McKay twins, drafted in 2015, will clash at the AFL level. For a whopping nine seasons, injuries and other factors have kept them from facing each other, causing external speculation about whether they are actually the same person.
Both brothers are eagerly anticipating the duel, with Harry cheekily challenging Ben this week, questioning whether Ben could handle Carlton's other star forward, two-time Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow.
On a serious note, Sunday's game is a must-win for both sides. Carlton is keen to cement their top-four hopes, while Essendon is looking to prove their own September credentials after a tough loss to the Suns last week.
Carlton heads into the match as the favourites, riding high after their breakthrough win over Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval. Essendon, on the other hand, need to replicate their strong clearance work from their last outing to counter Carlton's potent mix of Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh
Ben and Harry's twin duel clearly adds an extra layer of excitement to a game already brimming with historical rivalry and finals implications, as 90,000 gear up to witness the potential matchup of the season.
