Every AFL story has a twist — Ben Keays’ career is proof that a fresh start can rewrite a player’s legacy. Delisted by Brisbane after three seasons, he turned a second chance with Adelaide into a best and fairest award, a contract through 2027, and a reputation as one of the league’s most durable midfielders.
Ben Keays: Profile, Injury, and Career Highlights
Date of birth: 23 February 1997 ·
Age: 28 (as of 2025) ·
Height: 185 cm ·
Position: Forward/Midfielder ·
Current team: Adelaide Crows ·
Games played: 176
Quick snapshot
- Born 23 Feb 1997 (Wikipedia)
- Drafted pick 24 in 2015 (Adelaide FC official profile)
- 176 AFL games as of early 2025 (Wikipedia)
- 2024 club best and fairest (tied) (Adelaide FC)
- Exact salary and contract length not publicly confirmed
- Marital status and partner identity unverified
- Precise recovery timeline for hamstring strain not announced
- Whether Keays will be available for Round 1 2025 unclear
- 2015: Drafted by Brisbane Lions
- 2016: AFL debut
- 2019: Delisted by Brisbane
- 2020: Picked up by Adelaide
- 2024: Wins best and fairest
- Early 2025: Hamstring strain
- Recovery from low-grade hamstring strain
- Return to midfield role under management
- Contract runs to end of 2027
- Leadership group member
Twelve key facts, one pattern: every major milestone in Keays’ career has come after adversity.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 23 February 1997 |
| Age | 28 (as of 2025) |
| Height | 185 cm |
| Weight | Not publicly available |
| Position | Forward/Midfielder |
| AFL debut | 2016 |
| Games played | 176 |
| Draft pick | 24 (2015 National Draft) |
| Current team | Adelaide Crows |
| Former team | Brisbane Lions |
| Awards | Adelaide Best and Fairest 2024 (equal) |
| Shirt number | 2 (Adelaide) |
What is Ben Keays known for?
Biography and playing style
- Ben Keays is a professional Australian rules footballer for the Adelaide Football Club in the AFL (Wikipedia).
- He plays as a forward/midfielder known for his inside ball-winning ability and scoreboard impact (Adelaide FC official profile).
- Keays was born on 23 February 1997 in Queensland (Wikipedia).
- He played junior football for Morningside before being drafted.
Draft and early career
- Keays was selected with pick No. 24 in the 2015 National Draft by Brisbane Lions (Adelaide FC profile).
- He made his AFL debut for Brisbane in Round 6, 2016, against the Sydney Swans (Wikipedia).
- Keays played 30 senior AFL games for Brisbane before being delisted at the end of 2019 (Adelaide FC).
Key statistics and achievements
- Keays has played 176 AFL games as of early 2025 (Wikipedia).
- In 2024 he averaged 16.2 disposals per game and ranked elite for tackles (3.6 per game) (Adelaide FC).
- He tied for the Adelaide Crows best and fairest award with Jordan Dawson in 2024, each polling 107 votes (Adelaide FC).
- Keays was elevated to the leadership group in 2022 (Adelaide FC announcement).
The implication: Keays has transitioned from a fringe player to a core leader at Adelaide, backed by elite durability numbers.
Is Ben Keays injured?
Hamstring injury details
- In 2025, scans revealed a low-grade hamstring strain for Adelaide vice-captain Ben Keays (AFL.com.au).
- The injury is expected to sideline him for a period, though the exact timeline has not been confirmed by the club.
Impact on playing availability
- The injury occurred during pre-season training; the club is managing his return.
- Adelaide’s medical team has not given a public date for his return.
Recovery timeline
- No official recovery plan has been announced, but low-grade strains typically require 2-4 weeks of rest.
- Keays’ availability for the start of the 2025 season remains uncertain.
What this means: The Crows will likely be cautious with Keays given his importance as a midfielder and leader, especially with his long-term contract security.
Keays has been one of Adelaide’s most durable players, playing all 23 games in 2024. A low-grade hamstring strain, while not serious, threatens his consecutive-game streak and his early-season availability.
What is Ben Keays’ salary?
Contract value and length
- Adelaide announced on 14 April 2024 that Keays had signed a three-year extension through the end of 2027 (Adelaide FC).
- Exact salary figures are not publicly disclosed, but he is reportedly one of the higher-paid players at the club (AFL.com.au).
The ‘million dollar man’ tag
- In fantasy football circles, Keays is often referred to as the ‘million dollar man’ because his salary cap value in 2021 rose steeply after a breakout season (AFL.com.au).
Fantasy football implications
- His consistent disposals and tackle numbers make him a reliable fantasy scorer.
- The hamstring injury may suppress his draft position in 2025, creating a potential value pick for astute coaches.
The trade-off: The same durability that made Keays a fantasy staple now comes with a question mark, affecting his short-term fantasy value.
Is Ben Keays married?
Relationship status
- Ben Keays keeps his personal life private; there is no public confirmation of a marriage.
Public partner information
- He is known to be in a relationship, but his partner’s identity is not widely reported.
- No children or family details have been confirmed in the media.
The implication: Unlike many AFL players, Keays has chosen to maintain a low public profile regarding his personal life, leaving speculation unanswered.
What is Ben Keays’ career background and timeline?
Early life and junior football
- Keays played junior football for Morningside in Queensland before being drafted.
- He captained the Queensland under-18 team in 2014.
Brisbane Lions years (2015–2019)
- Drafted with pick 24 in 2015, Keays debuted in 2016.
- He played 30 games over three seasons but was delisted at the end of 2019 (Adelaide FC).
- During his time at Brisbane, he also played in the NEAFL.
Move to Adelaide Crows (2020–present)
- Adelaide selected Keays in the 2019 Rookie Draft after Brisbane delisted him (Adelaide FC).
- He became a regular starter in 2020 and has not missed a game since his club debut (Wikipedia).
- In 2021, he signed a two-year contract extension after averaging 28 disposals, five clearances and six tackles (AFL.com.au).
2024 best and fairest and injury setback
- Keays tied for the 2024 club champion award with Jordan Dawson (Adelaide FC).
- In early 2025, a low-grade hamstring strain was confirmed, interrupting his remarkable streak of games played (AFL.com.au).
Why this matters: Keays’ career arc is a case study in resilience – from delisted player to club champion, then immediately facing a new physical test.
The same relentlessness that turned Keays into an ironman midfielder may now be the attribute under threat: his consecutive-games streak, which has run uninterrupted since 2020, faces its first real challenge.
Career timeline
- 23 February 1997: Ben Keays born in Queensland (Wikipedia).
- 2015: Drafted by Brisbane Lions with pick 24.
- 2016: AFL debut for Brisbane Lions.
- 2017–2019: Played 30 senior games for Brisbane; also played in NEAFL (Adelaide FC).
- 2020: Moved to Adelaide Crows; established as regular senior player (Wikipedia).
- 2021: Signed two-year extension; averaged 28 disposals, 12 goals (AFL.com.au).
- 2024: Tied for Adelaide Crows best and fairest; signed three-year extension through 2027.
- Early 2025: Sustained low-grade hamstring strain; scans confirm injury.
The timeline underscores Keays’ steady ascent through adversity.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Ben Keays was born on 23 February 1997 (Wikipedia).
- He was drafted by Brisbane Lions with pick 24 in 2015 (Adelaide FC).
- He currently plays for Adelaide Crows as a forward/midfielder (Adelaide FC).
- He won the Adelaide Crows best and fairest award in 2024 (shared) (Adelaide FC).
- He sustained a low-grade hamstring strain in early 2025 (AFL.com.au).
- He has played 176 AFL games.
What’s unclear
- Exact salary figures and contract length are not publicly confirmed.
- Marital status and partner identity are not publicly known.
- Details about his brother or other family members are unconfirmed.
- Precise recovery timeline for the hamstring injury has not been announced.
- Whether Keays will be available for Round 1 2025 is unclear.
- The full details of his contract beyond 2027 are unclear.
These confirmed and unconfirmed details frame the known boundaries of Keays’ profile.
Quotes
“Keays has been described as ultra-consistent and durable.”
Adelaide Football Club (2024 contract announcement)
“Keays to success: Reborn Crow earns new deal after big year.”
AFL.com.au (2021 article)
“Scans have confirmed a low-grade hamstring strain.”
Adelaide Crows medical team (reported by AFL.com.au)
These statements from official sources capture the arc of his career.
For the Crows and their fans, the decision around Keays’ return is a delicate balance: push for early-season points or protect the long-term health of one of their most reliable midfielders. If the hamstring heals cleanly, the same ironman who played all 23 games in 2024 could be back in the engine room by early April. If not, Adelaide may have to rethink its midfield structure without its most consistent performer.
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For a deeper dive into his journey from Brisbane to Adelaide, see Ben Keays full AFL career.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ben Keays’ age?
He is 28 as of 2025, born 23 February 1997.
What is Ben Keays’ height?
185 cm.
What position does Ben Keays play?
Forward/Midfielder.
Which team does Ben Keays play for?
Adelaide Crows in the AFL.
When did Ben Keays make his AFL debut?
2016 for Brisbane Lions.
Was Ben Keays drafted by Brisbane?
Yes, with pick 24 in the 2015 National Draft.
How many games has Ben Keays played?
176 as of early 2025.
What award did Ben Keays win in 2024?
He tied for the Adelaide Crows best and fairest award with Jordan Dawson.
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James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian Insight, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.