Ben Keays didn’t make much noise when he landed at the Adelaide Crows — he was a rookie-draft pickup after four seasons at the Brisbane Lions. But since pulling on the navy blue, he’s become one of the most reliable, hard-working players on the list. This profile covers his career resurgence, leadership rise, recent injury scare, and the role that made him a fan favorite.
Age: 27 (born 23 February 1997) ·
Height: 185 cm ·
Position: Forward / Midfielder ·
Club: Adelaide Crows ·
AFL Debut: 2016 ·
Draft Pick: No. 24 (2015 National Draft)
Quick snapshot
- Born 23 February 1997 (Footyinfo (player stats database))
- Drafted by Brisbane Lions with pick 24 in 2015 (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- Joined Adelaide Crows in 2020 via rookie draft (Adelaide Football Club (official club site))
- Vice-captain of Adelaide since 2024 (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- Exact nature and recovery timeline of his recent hamstring injury
- Marital status and partner details
- Whether he has a brother
- 2015: Drafted by Brisbane Lions (Adelaide Football Club (official club site))
- 2022: Elevated to Adelaide’s leadership group (Adelaide Football Club (official club site))
- 2024: Named vice-captain, wins equal best and fairest (Adelaide Football Club (official club site))
- Contract runs through 2027 (Adelaide Football Club (official club site))
- Role as pressure forward expected to continue (Adelaide Football Club (official club site))
- Injury update pending – no official timeline yet (Adelaide Football Club (official club site))
Nine key facts, one pattern: Keays’ career has been defined by steady growth and quiet reliability.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ben Keays |
| Date of birth | 23 February 1997 |
| Height | 185 cm |
| Position | Forward / Midfielder |
| AFL club | Adelaide Crows |
| Debut | 2016 (Brisbane Lions) |
| Draft | 2015 National Draft, pick 24 |
| AFL games played (as of 2025) | 177+ |
| Awards | Adelaide Best and Fairest 2024 (equal) |
The pattern: steady growth and quiet reliability define Keays’ career arc.
What is Ben Keays known for?
Hard-working forward/midfielder
- Adelaide Football Club describes Keays as an “ultra-consistent and durable midfielder/forward” (Adelaide Football Club (official club site)).
- He has averaged 28.1 disposals per game in 2021 and 26.6 in 2022 (Footyinfo (player stats database)).
- In 2023, his average dropped to 19.2 disposals as he shifted to a more forward-focused role.
Adelaide Crows vice-captain
- Keays was elevated to the club’s leadership group in 2022 (Adelaide Football Club (official club site)).
- Before the 2024 season, he became one of three vice-captains alongside Brodie Smith and Reilly O’Brien (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
2024 equal best and fairest
- Keays won the Adelaide Best and Fairest in 2024, sharing the award.
- He finished in the top five of the club champion voting in three of his four seasons at West Lakes (Adelaide Football Club (official club site)).
Keays’ rise from a rookie-listed player to vice-captain and best-and-fairest winner in four years shows the Crows’ bet on his durability and work ethic has paid off. The shift from full-time midfielder to pressure forward actually increased his goal impact while keeping his disposal count healthy.
The pattern: Keays’ value isn’t flashy stats — it’s sustained availability and the ability to adapt his role to the team’s needs. That’s why he’s a fan favorite.
Is Ben Keays injured?
Recent track incident leaves doubt
- During a training session, Keays left the track early after reporting that he “felt it” (7News (Australian news outlet)).
- The specific nature of the issue — believed to be a hamstring complaint — has not been officially confirmed.
Injury update status unclear
- As of the latest reports, the severity and recovery timeline remain unknown.
- The club has not issued a formal statement, leaving fans and fantasy coaches in limbo.
If the injury proves to be a minor hamstring strain, Keays’ durability record (no missed games since his Adelaide debut in 2020, according to Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)) suggests he could return quickly. But with no official update, the uncertainty is a concern for the Crows’ forward structure.
The catch: Keays had not missed a game since joining Adelaide in 2020 (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)). This is his first real durability test, and the club’s silence fuels speculation.
When did Ben Keays join the Crows?
Drafted by Brisbane Lions in 2015
- Keays was selected by the Brisbane Lions with pick 24 in the 2015 National Draft (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
- He played 30 AFL games for Brisbane across four seasons (Adelaide Football Club (official club site)).
Traded to Adelaide at end of 2019 season
- After being delisted by Brisbane, he was recruited by Adelaide in the 2019 rookie draft (Adelaide Football Club (official club site)).
- He made his Crows debut in 2020 and has since played 146+ games for the club (Footyinfo (player stats database)).
Why this matters: Keays’ journey from a fringe Lions player to a key Crows leader is a clear example of how a change of environment can unlock a player’s potential. The rookie draft pickup turned into a three-year contract extension through 2027 (Adelaide Football Club (official club site)).
What position does Ben Keays play?
Forward
- In the 12 months before the April 2024 contract-extension article, Keays switched from full-time onballer to pressure forward (Adelaide Football Club (official club site)).
- In a two-point win over Carlton, he kicked three goals and had 20 disposals (Adelaide Football Club (official club site)).
Midfielder
- He still rotates through the midfield, particularly in inside contested ball situations.
- His 2021 and 2022 seasons saw him average over 26 disposals, reflecting his work as a primary ball-winner.
Inside ball-winner
- Keays is known for his ability to win contested ball and apply pressure at the contest.
- His role evolution has made him a more versatile asset for the Crows.
The trade-off: Moving from pure midfielder to pressure forward reduced his average disposals but increased his goal-scoring impact. The Crows’ preference for this mix suggests they value his forward pressure as much as his midfield grunt work.
Is Ben Keays married?
Private personal life
- There is no public record of Ben Keays being married.
- He keeps his personal life private; partner information is not widely available.
No confirmed marriage details
- Unlike some AFL players who share family moments on social media, Keays maintains a low profile outside of footy.
- No public statements or media reports have confirmed a spouse or long-term partner.
The implication: For fans curious about the man behind the jumper, the lack of personal information is intentional. Keays lets his on-field performances do the talking.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Ben Keays was born 23 February 1997
- He was drafted by Brisbane Lions in 2015
- He joined Adelaide in 2020
- He is vice-captain of Adelaide
- He won the 2024 best and fairest
- He signed a three-year extension through 2027
What’s unclear
- Exact nature and recovery timeline of his recent injury
- Marital status and partner details
- Whether he has a brother
Quotes
I just felt it then.
— Ben Keays, after leaving the track early, as reported by 7News (Australian news outlet)
Keays is an ultra-consistent and durable midfielder/forward.
— Adelaide Football Club, in an official statement (Adelaide Football Club (official club site))
For Adelaide Crows fans and AFL fantasy coaches, the decision is clear: watch the injury updates closely, but everything else about Keays points to reliability and value. The Crows have locked him in until 2027, and his role as a pressure forward with midfield chops makes him a unique asset. If the injury turns out minor, expect him to slot back into the side quickly. If not, the Crows will need to find another player willing to put in the hard yards.
australiannewsdesk.com, legz.com.au, ozfootball.com, dream-stats.com, ultimatefooty.com.au
Frequently asked questions
Does Ben Keays have a brother?
There is no public confirmation that Ben Keays has a brother. His family details are not widely reported.
What is Ben Keays’ AFL number?
Ben Keays wears the number 2 for the Adelaide Crows.
Which Crows players are fan favorites?
Fan favorites at Adelaide include Ben Keays (for his hard work and consistency), Rory Sloane, and Brodie Smith.
How many AFL games has Ben Keays played?
As of the 2025 season, Ben Keays has played over 177 AFL games (30 for Brisbane and 147+ for Adelaide).
What was Ben Keays’ draft position?
Ben Keays was selected with pick 24 in the 2015 National Draft by the Brisbane Lions.
What is Ben Keays’ Instagram handle?
Ben Keays’ Instagram handle is @benkeays2 (not officially verified, but widely used).
Related reading
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Insightlab, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.