Steven McKee
Encyclopedia
Steve McKee was an Australian rules football player for both Richmond (1998–1999) and Collingwood (2000–2004) in the Australian Football League
. An effective ruckman, McKee is best remembered for his four year stint with Collingwood, where he represented the team in the 2002 AFL Grand Final
.
After a short two year stay at Punt Road, Collingwood acquired the services of McKee, along with draft selection seven (Danny Roach
) in return for Clinton King
and draft selection three (Aaron Fiora
) at the end of season 1999. McKee's first season at the club was marred by Legionnaires' Disease, picked up from one of the spa baths at the club's headquarters at Victoria Park
, though it was not enough to stop him from shutting down Essendon's key forward Scott Lucas on Anzac Day
in the round seven loss. His second season saw gradual improvement, marked by the attention he received for the tactic employed by coach Mick Malthouse
midseason, which saw both McKee and fellow ruckman Josh Fraser
begin at the centre bounce, with the decision on who rucked made at the last minute, leaving opposing ruckmen flummoxed. McKee's career flourished in season 2002, where his ability to drift a kick behind the play and aid his defenders was crucial in the team's success, as was his ability to act like a fourth midfielder at the stoppages, his efforts twice negating the influence of Port Adelaide powerhouse Matthew Primus, most crucially in the Qualifying Final defeat of the Power. McKee's efforts in the Grand Final were brave, as although swamped by Clark Keating, McKee still managed to lay an impressive nine tackles, breaking the rucking stereotype.
Season 2003 saw McKee all but umpired out of the game by a new rule interpretation which worked against his style of ruckwork, which was to stand toe-to-toe with his opponent, instead of leaping. This paved the way for Fraser to make the position his own, relegating McKee to the role of the second stringer, missing out on the finals action, though many believe the durable McKee should have received a call up when Anthony Rocca
was suspended for the Grand Final.
His final year at league level, 2004, was a quiet one, the Pies dropping out of the finals face early in the piece, and despite impressive efforts against Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs late in the season, found himself delisted at seasons end.
Since finishing his playing career McKee has worked as a part-time assistant coach at Carlton
. McKee will return to football in 2009, having signed with the Warragul Football Club.
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
. An effective ruckman, McKee is best remembered for his four year stint with Collingwood, where he represented the team in the 2002 AFL Grand Final
2002 AFL Grand Final
The 2002 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Brisbane Lions and the Collingwood Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 28 September 2002. It was the 106th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football...
.
After a short two year stay at Punt Road, Collingwood acquired the services of McKee, along with draft selection seven (Danny Roach
Danny Roach
Danny Roach born 6 January 1982) was an Australian rules football player for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League .Roach, a Tasmanian, played only one game for Collingwood after being a first round pick in the 1999 AFL Draft...
) in return for Clinton King
Clinton King
Clinton King is an Australian rules footballer who played for Sydney, Collingwood and Richmond in the Australian Football League ....
and draft selection three (Aaron Fiora
Aaron Fiora
Aaron Fiora is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. He is originally from Naracoorte, South Australia.-Richmond career:...
) at the end of season 1999. McKee's first season at the club was marred by Legionnaires' Disease, picked up from one of the spa baths at the club's headquarters at Victoria Park
Victoria Park, Melbourne
Victoria Park is a sports venue in Abbotsford a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Built for the purpose of both Australian rules football and cricket, the stadium is oval shaped....
, though it was not enough to stop him from shutting down Essendon's key forward Scott Lucas on Anzac Day
ANZAC Day
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all...
in the round seven loss. His second season saw gradual improvement, marked by the attention he received for the tactic employed by coach Mick Malthouse
Mick Malthouse
Michael "Mick" Malthouse is a former Australian rules footballer and the former coach of the Collingwood Football Club.While his playing career included a premiership for Richmond in the VFL, he is best known for his Australian Football League coaching career.Malthouse is the most successful coach...
midseason, which saw both McKee and fellow ruckman Josh Fraser
Josh Fraser
Josh Fraser is a professional Australian rules football player currently playing for the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League and formerly of the Collingwood Football Club....
begin at the centre bounce, with the decision on who rucked made at the last minute, leaving opposing ruckmen flummoxed. McKee's career flourished in season 2002, where his ability to drift a kick behind the play and aid his defenders was crucial in the team's success, as was his ability to act like a fourth midfielder at the stoppages, his efforts twice negating the influence of Port Adelaide powerhouse Matthew Primus, most crucially in the Qualifying Final defeat of the Power. McKee's efforts in the Grand Final were brave, as although swamped by Clark Keating, McKee still managed to lay an impressive nine tackles, breaking the rucking stereotype.
Season 2003 saw McKee all but umpired out of the game by a new rule interpretation which worked against his style of ruckwork, which was to stand toe-to-toe with his opponent, instead of leaping. This paved the way for Fraser to make the position his own, relegating McKee to the role of the second stringer, missing out on the finals action, though many believe the durable McKee should have received a call up when Anthony Rocca
Anthony Rocca
Anthony Rocca is a former Australian rules footballer who has played with the Sydney Swans and Collingwood in the Australian Football League...
was suspended for the Grand Final.
His final year at league level, 2004, was a quiet one, the Pies dropping out of the finals face early in the piece, and despite impressive efforts against Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs late in the season, found himself delisted at seasons end.
Since finishing his playing career McKee has worked as a part-time assistant coach at Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
. McKee will return to football in 2009, having signed with the Warragul Football Club.