Ben Keays

Ben Keays
Keays playing for the Brisbane Lions in April 2017
Personal information
Full name Ben Keays
Date of birth (1997-02-23) 23 February 1997
Original team(s) Redland (NEAFL) / Morningside (QAFL)
Draft No. 24, 2015 national draft (Academy selection)
Height 186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 84 kg (185 lb)
Position(s) Midfield / forward
Club information
Current club Brisbane Lions
Number 1
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2016– Brisbane Lions 28 (11)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2018.
Career highlights
  • 2014, 2015 Under-18 All-Australian
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Ben Keays (born 23 February 1997) is an Australian rules footballer listed with the Brisbane Lions 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]

References

  1. ↑ Ben Keays has plenty of footballing history in his family as he makes his AFL debut
  2. ↑ Ben Keays says a surprising selection in a state team turned him into an AFL prospect
  3. ↑ Tough love: The lasting legacy of Fred Keays
  4. ↑ My ANZAC Story: Ben Keays
  5. ↑ 18 days until the draft: Ben Keays
  6. ↑ Proud young Lion wants the Gabba rocking again
  7. ↑ Sport, City South News (17 July 2014). "Ben has Keays to big future in AFL". Quest Newspapers. Queensland, Australia. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  8. ↑ "Queenslander Keays thrills in five-goal win over Tassie". 21 June 2014.
  9. ↑ Quayle, Emma (24 January 2015). "Academy teens get a taste of life in the AFL". The Age.
  10. ↑ Landsberger, Sam (27 January 2015). "AFL clubs to pay higher draft price for father-son, academy stars". Herald Sun.
  11. ↑ "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.
  12. ↑ "Division Two champions – Queensland vs. NSW/ACT recap". Brisbane: AFL Queensland. 2 July 2015. p. 5. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  13. ↑ "2015 Under 18 All Australians". Melbourne: Fox Sports. 4 July 2015. p. 5. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  14. ↑ "Ben Keays wins Hunter-Harrison medal". Melbourne: Fox Sports. 2 July 2015. p. 5. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  15. ↑ "Queensland U18s win title against wayward NSW/ACT". Melbourne: Australian Football League. 2 July 2015. p. 5. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  16. ↑ "Profile: Ben Keays". lions.com.au. Bigpond. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  17. ↑ "The Day Ben Keays Had Waited For". lions.com.au. Bigpond. 26 November 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  18. ↑ Ben Keays is set to make his AFL debut for Brisbane Lions against Sydney Swans
  19. ↑ "Around the state leagues: Who's staking a finals claim?". afl.com.au. Bigpond. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.


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