Tony Jones has launched a strong defence of Ben McKay, amid recent scrutiny from the public.

The 3AW personality thinks the Essendon key defender has been “publicly shamed” after whiteboard gate and copping bronx cheers from the Bombers supporters on the weekend.

“I just reckon at some point, you’ve got to back off,” Jones told Tom Elliott on 3AW Mornings.

Press PLAY to hear his thoughts on Ben McKay (and also the future of Michael Voss and when the ‘breaking point’ might be)

“Just because he kicks a leather football around, doesn’t make him fair game.”

Images: Supplied, Daniel Pockett/Getty