Ben Keays
| Ben Keays | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Keays in April 2018 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Ben Keays | ||
| Date of birth | 23 February 1997 | ||
| Original team(s) | Redland (NEAFL) / Morningside (QAFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 24, 2015 national draft (Academy selection) | ||
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Weight | 89 kg (196 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfield / forward | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Adelaide | ||
| Number | 28 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2016–2019 | Brisbane Lions | 30 (11) | |
| 2020– | Adelaide | 7 (2) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2019. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Ben Keays (born 23 February 1997) is an Australian rules footballer with the Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League (AFL). His great-grandfather Fred Keays represented both Fitzroy and Collingwood in the Victorian Football League.
Early life
Born in Melbourne, Keays moved to Brisbane at five years of age[1] and attended St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace throughout his schooling years.[2] His great grandfather, Fred, played football for Fitzroy and Collingwood between 1919-1922 and served in both World War I and II.[3] His great uncle, Desmond, also played football for Fitzroy[4] while his uncle, Terry, played for Collingwood and Richmond. Ben began playing junior football for the Morningside Panthers[5] and was placed in the Brisbane Lions talent academy at the age of 14.[6] He was selected to represent Queensland in the 2014 and 2015 AFL Under 18 Championships,[7][8][9] and was selected in the 2014 and 2015 All-Australian teams.[10][11] He also captained Queensland to their first division 2 title in nine years at the 2015 AFL Under 18 Championships[12] and won the 2015 Hunter Harrison Medal for his performances across the three games.[13][14][15]
Keays was recruited by the Brisbane Lions with their third selection and 24th overall in the 2015 national draft.[16] He was the second academy selection for Brisbane after they matched a bid by the Western Bulldogs.[17]
AFL career
Keays made his AFL debut for Brisbane in round 6, 2016 against the Sydney Swans.[18] He won the Andrew Ireland Medal as best afield in the 2017 NEAFL Grand final, amassing 30 disposals, 9 tackles and 2 goals.[19] He was delisted at the conclusion of the 2019 AFL season. Keays was later picked up by the Adelaide Crows at Pick 7 in the 2019 AFL Rookie Draft. [20]
References
- ^ Ben Keays has plenty of footballing history in his family as he makes his AFL debut
- ^ Ben Keays says a surprising selection in a state team turned him into an AFL prospect
- ^ Tough love: The lasting legacy of Fred Keays
- ^ My ANZAC Story: Ben Keays
- ^ 18 days until the draft: Ben Keays
- ^ Proud young Lion wants the Gabba rocking again
- ^ Sport, City South News (17 July 2014). "Ben has Keays to big future in AFL". Quest Newspapers. Queensland, Australia. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
- ^ "Queenslander Keays thrills in five-goal win over Tassie". 21 June 2014.
- ^ Quayle, Emma (24 January 2015). "Academy teens get a taste of life in the AFL". The Age.
- ^ Landsberger, Sam (27 January 2015). "AFL clubs to pay higher draft price for father-son, academy stars". Herald Sun.
- ^ "Exciting draft prospects Christian Petracca and Patrick McCartin among 12 Victorians to earn All-Australian honours". Herald Sun. Victoria, Australia. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
- ^ "Division Two champions – Queensland vs. NSW/ACT recap". Brisbane: AFL Queensland. 2 July 2015. p. 5. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
- ^ "2015 Under 18 All Australians". Melbourne: Fox Sports. 4 July 2015. p. 5. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
- ^ "Ben Keays wins Hunter-Harrison medal". Melbourne: Fox Sports. 2 July 2015. p. 5. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
- ^ "Queensland U18s win title against wayward NSW/ACT". Melbourne: Australian Football League. 2 July 2015. p. 5. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
- ^ "Profile: Ben Keays". lions.com.au. Bigpond. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- ^ "The Day Ben Keays Had Waited For". lions.com.au. Bigpond. 26 November 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ Ben Keays is set to make his AFL debut for Brisbane Lions against Sydney Swans
- ^ "Around the state leagues: Who's staking a finals claim?". afl.com.au. Bigpond. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
- ^ https://www.lions.com.au/news/2019-10-19/lions-delist-three
External links
- Ben Keays's profile on the official website of the Brisbane Lions
- Ben Keays's playing statistics from AFL Tables